Zep Names New CEO

Zep, an Atlanta-based industrial cleaning solutions developer, and a portfolio company of New Mountain Capital, announced that Dan Smytka has been appointed its latest chief executive officer, effective Sept. 3.

Smytka joins Zep after 11 years at the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. He has more than 30 years’ experience as a multi-functional senior executive, with global leadership experiences in the areas of sales and marketing, product management, supply chain management, manufacturing operations and finance.

Most recently, Smytka was the president for Goodyear’s Global Off-Highway businesses. Previously, he served as president and chief operating officer for Goodyear’s EMEA region, with $5 billion in revenue. Before that, he served in leadership roles in Asia Pacific for seven years, including four years as resident of that region, with $2.2 billion in revenue.

“On behalf of our board of directors, we are pleased to appoint Dan as our CEO,” says Ed Lonergan, executive chairman of Zep and New Mountain Capital senior advisor. “Dan is a proven and respected leader who has delivered strong operating results through a relentless commitment to customers and team members. With over three decades of experience successfully growing commercial and consumer revenue, market share and earnings for blue chip companies and in regions around the world, we are confident that Dan is an excellent fit for Zep.”

A native of Detroit, Smytka earned a Master’s Degree in corporate finance from the University of Memphis. He received his Bachelor’s Degree with dual majors in business economics and psychology from Creighton University.