Astro Shapes, a major producer of custom aluminum extrusions and a portfolio company of Wynnchurch Capital, has named Carol Jackson as its new Chief Executive Officer. Ms Jackson steps into the role with decades of senior leadership experience and a strong record of steering organizations toward growth and operational strength.
She previously led HarbisonWalker International (HWI)—now part of Calderys—as President, Chairman, and CEO. Before joining HWI in 2014, she oversaw several business units at Carpenter Technology Corporation (NYSE: CRS), and earlier spent more than a decade at PPG Industries (NYSE: PPG) in leadership roles spanning sales, strategy, and business management, ultimately heading the company’s global raw materials procurement division.
Her leadership extends beyond corporate roles. Ms Jackson currently serves on the Board of Directors of AZZ Inc (NYSE: AZZ), chairing the Nominating and Governance Committee and participating in the Compensation Committee. She is also a board member at Sensient Technologies Corporation (NYSE: SXT), where she contributes to the Audit and Nominating and Governance Committees.
Ms Jackson is licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania and holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh, a master’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business, and a bachelor’s degree from Duquesne University. She remains active in community initiatives and is a former board member of Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania, where she led the BizTown Capital Campaign.
“We are pleased to welcome Carol to Astro Shapes,” said Carl Howe, Managing Director at Wynnchurch Capital. “Her depth of experience and strategic mindset position her well to lead the company as we continue advancing our growth plans and strengthening our long-standing commitment to quality and customer service.”
Established in 1971 and based in Struthers, Ohio, Astro Shapes manufactures custom aluminum extrusions used across residential and commercial construction, recreational vehicles, and numerous industrial sectors throughout the Midwest and Northeast. Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Rosemont, Illinois, Wynnchurch Capital is a leading private equity firm focused on middle-market companies in the U.S. and Canada.
Managing $8.6 billion in regulatory assets, the firm specializes in growth capital, recapitalizations, carve-outs, management buyouts, and operational turnarounds. Recent investments include Charter Industries, Principal Industries, ORS Nasco, and Astro Shapes.
