Hexcel appoints Tom Gentile as CEO and president

Following a comprehensive succession process, Hexcel Corp.’s (Stamford, Conn., U.S.) board of directors has appointed Thomas C. Gentile III as chief executive officer (CEO) and president of Hexcel, effective May 1, 2024. He is also expected to be appointed to the board of directors following the annual shareholder meeting on May 2.

Gentile will succeed chairman, CEO and president Nick Stanage who worked closely with the board on his desire to retire at the end of the year. Stanage will become executive chairman of the board to ensure a smooth and successful transition until his retirement on Dec. 31, 2024.

Stanage joined Hexcel in 2009 as president and was appointed chief operating officer (COO) in 2012, CEO in 2013 and chairman of the board in 2014. His successful career also includes leadership positions at Dana Holding Corp. and Honeywell.

“Hexcel is well positioned with the right strategy, a talented team and a clear roadmap to continue driving innovation across our differentiated portfolio while delivering sustainable, long-term growth for shareholders,” Stanage says. “I am confident that this is the right time to transition to a new leader who will continue propelling the business forward and executing against our financial targets. With his significant leadership and aerospace industry experience and composites knowledge, Tom is ideally suited to lead Hexcel into the future.”

Gentile, 59, is an experienced CEO with a demonstrated record of growing and transforming technology-focused businesses in aviation, healthcare and financial services. Most recently, he served as president and CEO of Spirit AeroSystems from 2016 to 2023. Previously, he held a succession of leadership roles at GE across the U.S., France and Australia including president and COO of GE Capital; president and CEO of GE Healthcare Systems; and president and CEO of GE Aviation Services.

Currently, Gentile serves as executive advisor to the Dean of the Barton School of Business and was formerly chair of the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) in 2023. He serves on the board of advisors to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, is president-elect of the Wings Club Foundation and is involved with numerous charitable organizations. Gentile earned a degree in economics and an MBA, both from Harvard University, and he studied international relations at the London School of Economics.

Gentile notes that he has long admired Hexcel and been impressed by the company’s strong customer relationships and commitment to innovation. “I am excited to work with Nick, the board and the management team and to continue the impressive momentum underway at Hexcel,” he says.

“Under Nick’s leadership, Hexcel has further established itself as a global leader in advanced lightweight composite materials,” Hexcel lead director Jeffrey C. Campbell, adds. “He has helped enhance shareholder value, built a talented leadership team and nurtured a resilient culture that will provide a strong foundation as Tom joins the company. The board conducted a rigorous succession planning process, and we are pleased to have found in Tom a seasoned executive with deep knowledge of the aerospace industry, including both the airframe and jet engine markets, along with substantial operational expertise and a strong focus on customers and shareholders. We are confident that Hexcel has a bright future with Tom at the helm leading the company forward.”