Columbus McKinnon, a designer, manufacturer and marketer of intelligent motion solutions for material handling, appointed Gerald Colella, the retired president and CEO and current chair of MKS Instruments, and Chad Abraham, chair and CEO of Piper Sandler, to its board of directors. The appointments went into effect on Nov. 11.

“We couldn’t be more excited about the addition of Jerry and Chad, both experienced CEOs, to our board of directors,” Richard H. Fleming, chair of Columbus McKinnon’s board of directors, said. “Jerry’s deep industrial technology experience, combined with his track record of expanding MKS Instruments into new geographies and markets while delivering sustainable and profitable growth, make him a terrific addition to our board. Chad’s knowledge of the industrial landscape, his keen understanding of inorganic and M&A growth, combined with his track record of transforming Piper Sandler with record setting revenue and earnings performance, add further depth to our talented board of directors.”

“We have been working on our board refreshment and succession planning during the last few years and the addition of Jerry and Chad to our board is an important step in that process,” Kathryn V. Roedel, chair of the governance and nomination committee for Columbus McKinnon’s board of directors, said. “Further, they bring a diversity of experience that will help us advance our ‘Blueprint for Growth 2.0’ strategy to transform Columbus McKinnon into a high value, intelligent motion, industrial technology enterprise. I am thrilled that they are joining our board.”

Colella is the chair of MKS Instruments, a provider of instruments, systems, subsystems and process control solutions that measure, monitor, deliver, analyze, power and control critical parameters of advanced manufacturing processes. In 2020, he retired as president and CEO of MKS after spending 36 years advancing through roles spanning from vice president of worldwide operations to chief business officer, chief operating officer and, ultimately, president and CEO.

Abraham has been chair and CEO of Piper Sandler, an investment bank and financial services company, since 2018. Abraham joined Piper Sandler in 1991 as an investment banking analyst for the technology sector. Following that role, he initiated and grew Piper Sandler’s presence in Menlo Park, CA, and later advanced to the head of capital markets. In 2010, he was promoted to global co-head of investment banking and capital markets prior to his appointment as chair and CEO.

There are now 11 directors on Columbus McKinnon’s board, including 10 independent directors. Colella will serve on the compensation committee and on the governance and nomination committee. Abraham will serve on the audit committee and on the governance and nomination committee.