NEW YORK – Wilsonart International Holdings LLC has appointed Timothy J. O’Brien as president and CEO. The appointment is effective Jan. 14.

A former senior executive at SABIC Innovative Plastics, O'Brien will also serve as a member of Wilsonart’s Board of Directors. O'Brien also served as general manager of GE’s High Performance and Crystalline Polymers businesses, senior vice president for commercial finance computer leasing with GE Capital, and had numerous management roles with GE Lighting.

“Tim is a proven global business leader with the perfect skill set and experience to successfully lead Wilsonart to the next level of profitable growth,” John Krenicki, Wilsonart’s Chairman and a CD&R Operating Partner, said in a statement.

Based in Temple, TX, Wilsonart is one of the leading manufacturers and distributors of high pressure laminates and other engineered surfaces used in furniture, office and retail space, countertops, worktops and other applications. Its brands include Wilsonart, Resopal, Polyrey and Arborite.

Wilsonart became an independent company following an October 2012 transaction between Clayton, Dubilier & Rice and Illinois Tool Works Inc. A fund managed by CD&R invested $395 million in the new business to acquire a majority ownership stake. ITW retains an ongoing ownership stake.