Whirlpool Corporation announced a series of senior leadership changes Thursday. The company stated the new appointments will take effect Jan. 1, 2026. The moves come as the company has faced a significant decline in share price over the past year, moving from a high of $135.49 per share to the closing today of $68.44.
According to the company’s statement, the board of directors elected Juan Carlos Puente, currently executive vice president and president of Whirlpool Latin America, to the newly created position of executive president, Whirlpool North America and global strategic sourcing. The company announcement says Puente joined Whirlpool in 1997 and has held leadership roles across North America, Latin America and Europe.
Ludovic Beaufils, currently executive vice president and president of KitchenAid Small Appliances, was named executive president, KitchenAid Small Appliances, Whirlpool Latin America, global information technology, and design. Beaufils joined Whirlpool in 2006 and has served in multiple senior roles in North America and Europe.
The board also promoted Roxanne Warner, executive vice president of finance and controller, to executive vice president and chief financial officer, and Todd Tomczak, vice president and assistant controller, to vice president and controller. Warner and Tomczak have been with the company since 2008 and 2004, respectively.
As part of the transition, James Peters, executive vice president, chief financial and administrative officer, and president of Whirlpool Asia, will step down from his current position after nine years, effective Dec. 31, 2025. Peters will continue with the company as an executive vice president in a non-executive officer role, leading enterprise transformation initiatives.
Marc Bitzer, Whirlpool’s chairman and chief executive officer, will assume direct responsibility for Whirlpool Asia beginning in 2026.
Additionally, Alessandro Perucchetti, executive vice president and president of Whirlpool North America, will step down from his role at the end of the year and continue with the company in a full-time advisory capacity to support the transition.
A statement indicated the updates were part of the company’s ongoing talent planning process.
“These appointments further align our organizational structure with a core focus on our consumers. We thank our leadership team for their service, as we take bold steps to secure future growth and continue improving life at home for generations to come.”
