A leadership succession at Merit Brass will change the company’s executive structure in October, with Darren Hilliard moving into the president and CEO role as longtime co-CEOs transition to board leadership.
The planned transition follows a long-term succession process intended to maintain continuity as Merit Brass changes its executive leadership.
Hilliard has served as president since 2021, overseeing companywide operations and strategy and leading the Strategic Leadership Team. His responsibilities have included guiding organizational development and business operations during the company’s recent growth.
Hilliard joined Merit Brass in 2018 and has more than 27 years of industry experience.
Lipp and Schlessinger will retire from day-to-day executive management at the end of 2026. Both will become co-chairmen of the board, allowing them to remain involved in strategic guidance after the leadership change.
The transition separates executive management from board responsibilities while retaining the two longtime leaders in governance roles.
Merit Brass supplies piping and flow-control products for industrial and building applications. Its products include pipe fittings, pipe nipples, pipe, valves, flanges, tubing and press-connection systems.
Leadership succession can affect operational continuity, strategic planning and customer relationships for manufacturers and suppliers serving the construction market. Merit Brass is establishing a new executive structure while retaining its outgoing CEOs in board positions.
For mechanical contractors and other construction stakeholders that rely on piping and flow-control products, the transition provides a defined leadership change while maintaining board-level involvement from the company’s previous executive leaders.
Source: MCAA.
