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Ernest Thomas joined RPM as a senior vice president on June 1, 2007. Mr. Thomas assumed the additional position of chief financial officer effective August 1, 2007, succeeding Robert L. Matejka, who plans to retire later in the fiscal year. Mr. Matejka will continue to serve as RPM’s chief financial officer until August 1 when he will then become vice president and controller upon Mr. Thomas’ assumption of the chief financial officer position.
Prior to joining RPM, Mr. Thomas was senior vice president and chief financial officer of CF Industries since 2004,and was chief financial officer and treasurer of Tower Automotive, a $2.5 billion producer of automotive assemblies prior to joining CF Industries. From 1997 to 2002, he served in various management positions, including group vice president and senior vice president and chief financial officer, with Modine Manufacturing Company, a $2.5 billion producer of heat transfer products. From 1989 to 1997, Mr. Thomas served in various management positions with Eaton Corporation, a $12.4 billion manufacturer of industrial products, including division general manager, plant manager and manager of strategic planning. He began his career in 1976 on the corporate financial staff of General Motors Corporation, then the world’s largest automaker.
Mr. Thomas holds a B.A. degree from Bluffton University, located in northwest Ohio, and an M.B.A. with an accounting concentration from Miami University (Ohio). He is a member of the board of trustees of Bluffton University and is a Certified Management Accountant. | 