Sherwin-Williams President And COO David Sewell Resigns

Sherwin-Williams President and Chief Operating Officer David Sewell announced his resignation Monday, effective March 12.

Sherwin-Williams will not immediately move to fill his role, the release said. Instead, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John Morikis will assume the duties and responsibilities associated with the position.

"Our deep and experienced global team continues to move forward with great momentum, focused on delivering solutions to our customers and executing on initiatives that will drive sustained long-term success,” Morikis said in the release.

Sewell leaving the paint company after 14 years to take over as president and COO at WestRock, a paper and packaging company based in Atlanta, Ga., according to a Tuesday press release from WestRock. He will replace outgoing President and CEO Steven Voorhees, who is stepping down for health reasons later this month.

“Our decision to elect David as CEO is the result of a robust succession planning process, and he is the right choice to lead our Company into the future,” said WestRock Board of Directors Chairman John Luke, Jr. “The Board and I look forward to working closely with David and WestRock’s leadership team as the Company delivers on our strategy and generates strong returns for investors.”

Voorhees will assist in the transition to new leadership, the WestRock release said.

“I am excited about joining WestRock and look forward to working with this talented leadership team and outstanding organization to build on the Company’s strategic success and together realize the opportunities ahead for our customers, team members and stockholders,” Sewell said.

Sherwin-Williams did not respond to ideastream’s request for comment.

The Cleveland-based global paint giant announced about a year ago plans to build a new, consolidated headquarters downtown, just west of Public Square between St. Clair and Superior Avenues. The coronavirus pandemic has slowed but not cancelled those plans.