LIXIL Americas Leaders Appointed to PMI’s Board of Directors and Committee

LIXIL Americas’ Sal Gattone, Vice President, Engineering, is serving on PMI’s board of directors. Gattone will be participating in collective responsibilities, with seven other board members, for organizational oversight, strategy and policy setting. Gattone will be serving a one-year term through 2020.

“I’m honored to serve as a part of the governing body for PMI with people that truly understand the importance of the plumbing industry,” said Gattone. “As a group, the board of directors will support PMI and its many members; representing 90 percent of the U.S. plumbing products and more than 150 brands.”

Troy Benavidez, Vice President, Public Affairs, was appointed as a co-chair for the Advocacy/Government Affairs Committee. Benavidez brings twenty-plus years of public affairs experience to the position, and will support PMI’s communications and partnerships with federal, state and local government agencies, legislators and regulators. Benavidez will serve a two-year term starting January 1, 2020.

“The plumbing industry will continue to face challenges from the external environment; therefore, the role of the Advocacy / Government Affairs committee is critically important to our industry’s future success,” said Benavidez. “Our team will leverage the strength of many PMI members with regulators and policymakers to help them understand the role plumbing plays in protecting the public’s health and safety, as well as our impact on economic growth and expansion.”

PMI’s members are industry leaders in manufacturing safe, reliable and innovative water-efficient plumbing technologies, including toilets, urinals, faucets and showerheads. As one of the leaders in the industry, LIXIL Americas has been a member for several years and many employees have served on the board of directors and participated as committee members in the past. LIXIL Americas is committed to our associations, like PMI, to promote the importance of water efficiency, safety and quality of plumbing products.

ABOUT GATTONE
Sal Gattone is the vice president, engineering, for LIXIL Americas. He is responsible for leading the engineering department and advanced concepts team to develop new products and supporting existing products for the American Standard, DXV and GROHE brands. 

In his 12 years with LIXIL, Gattone has held multiple management roles. He started with American Standard as a project manager for new product development and, most recently, served as a senior director, directing engineering department activities for all American Standard products in the fixtures category.

Prior to LIXIL, Gattone worked in the glass production industry, making float glass for Pilkington Glass and as a furnace engineer for Gerresheimer Glass crafting Borosilicate glass tubing. 
Gattone holds B.E. in Ceramic Sciences and Engineering from Alfred University.  

ABOUT BENAVIDEZ
Troy Benavidez is the vice president, public affairs, for LIXIL Americas. He is a member of the executive team and leads corporate communications, social responsibility, government relations, as well as serving as the company spokesperson. He represents LIXIL Americas in matters with the industry trade, not-for-profit groups, and academic organizations, to drive corporate objectives, while building relationships and reputation. Additionally, Benavidez is committed to addressing the critical labor shortage facing the plumbing industry through initiatives that both increase awareness and support educational platforms.

Benavidez has a wealth of experience in corporate public affairs and communication strategy development. In his career, he served in various corporate and global public affairs roles for the pharmaceutical industry. Previously, he held a variety of positions within state and federal government with staff roles in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.

Benavidez holds an MBA from Drexel University and a B.S. in political science and economics from Colorado College.


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FOR MORE INFORMATION
Tricia Ryan
Dan Kurpick
BML Public Relations
For LIXIL Americas - American Standard, DXV, GROHE
973-337-6395
tryan@bmlpr.com
dkurpick@bmlpr.com


ABOUT LIXIL
LIXIL makes pioneering water and housing products that solve everyday, real-life challenges, making better homes a reality for everyone, everywhere. Drawing on our Japanese heritage, we create world-leading technology and innovate to make high quality products that transform homes. But the LIXIL difference is how we do this; through meaningful design, an entrepreneurial spirit, a dedication to improving accessibility for all, and responsible business growth. Our approach comes to life through industry leading brands, including INAX, GROHE, American Standard, and TOSTEM, [as well as specialty brands such as DXV]. Over 75,000 colleagues operating in more than 150 countries are proud to make products that touch the lives of more than a billion people every day.

Learn more at www.lixil.com and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn 

ABOUT PLUMBING MANUFACTURERS INTERNATIONAL
Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) is the trade association of plumbing product manufacturers that produce more than 90 percent of the United States’ plumbing products, represent more than 150 iconic brands, and develop safe, reliable and innovative water-efficient plumbing technologies. PMI members contribute more than 464,000 jobs and $85.5 billion in economic impact to America's economy. With a vision of safe, responsible plumbing – always, PMI advocates for plumbing product performance contributing to water efficiency and savings, sustainability, public health and safety, and consumer satisfaction. PMI members manufacture water-efficient toilets, urinals, faucets, showerheads and other products at more than 70 locations across the country and market them online and in more than 24,000 home improvement stores, hardware stores and showrooms in all 50 states. For more information on PMI, contact the organization at 1750 Tysons Blvd., Ste. 1500, McLean, Va., 22102; tel.: 847-481-5500; fax: 847-481-5501. www.safeplumbing.org.