Global water technology leader Xylem has announced a series of strategic executive leadership appointments designed to accelerate innovation, operational excellence, and long-term growth across its core business segments. The changes position two highly accomplished industry veterans, Meredith Emmerich and Joe Johnston, to lead the company’s Measurement and Control Solutions and Applied Water divisions, respectively.
Both executives will report directly to Xylem’s President and CEO, Matthew Pine, ensuring tight alignment with the company’s overarching mission to solve the world’s most pressing water challenges.
Meredith Emmerich Takes the Helm of Measurement and Control Solutions
Meredith Emmerich has been appointed Executive Vice President (EVP) and President of Measurement and Control Solutions. In this pivotal role, she succeeds Mike McGann, a dedicated 17-year veteran of Xylem. McGann will remain with the company in a senior advisory capacity to ensure a seamless leadership transition before his planned departure later this year.
Emmerich brings a wealth of global enterprise experience to her new post. Since joining Xylem in 2024, she has made significant impacts, previously serving as EVP and President of Applied Water. Prior to Xylem, she held several senior leadership positions at Carrier Global Corporation, including leading the Americas Commercial HVAC business and overseeing the Global Residential, Light Commercial, and VRF HVAC portfolio. Her deep understanding of Xylem’s ecosystem makes her uniquely qualified to drive the next phase of innovation in smart water measurement and control technologies.
Joe Johnston Steps Up to Lead Applied Water
Succeeding Emmerich in the Applied Water segment is Joe Johnston, who has been named EVP and President of Applied Water. Johnston is a proven internal leader who has been with Xylem since 2019. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President and General Manager within Xylem’s Water Solutions and Services segment, where he successfully spearheaded the Global Dewatering business.
Before joining Xylem, Johnston built an impressive 25-year track record in global leadership, spanning operations, business development, and commercial strategy. His executive background includes senior roles at GE Power (now GE Vernova), where he served as Executive General Manager and Managing Director, giving him a robust foundation in scaling complex industrial operations.
A Strategy Rooted in Continuity and Expertise
These appointments highlight Xylem’s commitment to promoting from within, ensuring that its most critical business units are guided by leaders who already possess a comprehensive understanding of the company’s operations, culture, and market position.
Matthew Pine, President and CEO of Xylem, expressed strong confidence in the newly promoted executives:
“Meredith and Joe are accomplished leaders with deep knowledge of our business. Their experience and enterprise perspective will help us continue to execute our strategy and deliver value for our customers and the communities we serve.”
Looking Ahead
As the global demand for smart water infrastructure, efficient fluid handling, and advanced measurement technologies continues to surge, Xylem’s newly aligned leadership team is perfectly positioned to meet the challenge. By placing Emmerich and Johnston at the forefront of these key segments, Xylem ensures that its mission to advance water innovation remains on a clear, strategic, and highly effective path.