Harsco names Patrick K Decker as president and CEO

The Harsco Corporation has announced that Patrick K Decker (currently president of Tyco Flow Control) will be joining the company on September 10 as president and chief executive officer.

Mr Decker will succeed Henry W Knueppel, who has been serving since February 2012 in the capacity of interim chairman and chief executive officer. On Mr Decker's arrival, Mr Knueppel will become the company's independent, non-executive chairman of the Board. This follows a decision by the Harsco Board of directors to separate the roles of CEO and chairman.

Mr Decker, 47, joins Harsco from Tyco International Ltd where he has served as president of Tyco Flow Control, Tyco's second largest business segment, for the past five years. Tyco Flow Control is a multi-industry global leader in engineered valves and controls, heat management solutions and large-scale water infrastructure projects for industry, serving the global oil and gas, power, water, mining, process and construction sectors.

Mr Decker joined Tyco in 2003, where he has held a number of senior positions in several of the company's divisions. Previously he held international roles in finance, business development and information technology with Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Mr. Decker holds a B.S. in Accounting/Finance from Indiana University.

Announcing the appointment, Mr Knueppel said, "We are fortunate to secure a talented and energetic leader like Patrick at the right time to take Harsco to new heights. He is that exceptional individual who combines discipline and metrics with big picture thinking and action."

Mr. Decker added, "I feel honoured to have the opportunity to lead this company and its talented and dedicated people around the world that provide critically important value-added solutions to customers in some of the worlds most vital end markets."