HERNDON, Va. — Beacon announced that Philip W. Knisely has been appointed chairman of the board, succeeding Robert R. Buck, who retired as chairman but continues as a director.

Phil Knisely has been a Beacon director since October 2015. He is an operating partner at Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC (CD&R), a private investment firm. He is also chairman of CD&R Hydra Holdings Inc. (parent entity of SunSource Holdings, Inc.), a privately-held power distribution company, and is a former chairman of Roofing Supply Group LLC, which Beacon acquired in 2015.

Prior to joining CD&R, Knisely spent a decade as executive vice president and corporate officer of Danaher Corporation, where he was responsible for businesses totaling more than $4 billion in sales. Prior to Danaher, Knisely co-founded Colfax Corporation, a designer, manufacturer, and distributor of fluid handling products, where he served as president and CEO.

“Bob’s strategic vision, leadership and business acumen have been the driving force behind Beacon’s tremendous growth during his stewardship of the Company,” said Knisely. “More important, however, are Bob’s integrity, character and personal values, which engender deep employee loyalty as well as unmatched respect from investors, analysts, suppliers and customers, all of which have shaped Beacon’s great reputation and enabled Beacon to lead the consolidation of our industry. I am honored to follow in his footsteps, and we are grateful for his continuing commitment to Beacon by remaining a member of our Board of Directors.”

Buck joined Beacon as president and CEO and a director in October 2003 and has been chairman of the board since March 2007. Under Buck’s leadership, Beacon has grown from a regional distributor with approximately $550 million in revenue in 2003 into a Fortune 500 national leader in building products distribution with over 500 locations across all 50 states and six Canadian provinces and over $7 billion in revenue. Buck led Beacon through its Initial Public Offering in 2004 and 46 acquisitions, including the transformative, multi-billion-dollar acquisitions of Roofing Supply Group and Allied Building Products.

“It has been a distinct pleasure and a wonderful privilege to serve the employees and the shareholders of Beacon,” said Buck. “The years have passed so quickly. However, I clearly see a very bright future full of opportunities and growth, and Phil is the perfect chairman to lead the way forward. I know him very well, look forward to working with him this year, and continuing to cheer enthusiastically for him and everyone at Beacon.”