Kennametal Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Kennametal has 10 executives leading key functions including financial strategy, human capital, corporate administration, technology innovation, and segment operations.

Focused on advancing material science, Kennametal delivers high-performance tungsten carbides and industrial solutions to global manufacturing sectors while maintaining a commitment to operational excellence and sustainable growth.

Leadership Roles at Kennametal

  • President & Chief Executive Officer - Sanjay Chowbey
  • Vice President and Chief Financial Officer - Johannes Gaalen
  • Vice President & Chief Financial Officer - Patrick Watson
  • President - Edward Melendez
  • President, Metal Cutting Segment - David Bersaglini
  • Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer - Amanda Cole
  • Vice President & Chief Technology Officer - Carlonda Reilly
  • Vice President & Chief Technology Officer - Carlonda Reilly
  • Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer - Judith Bacchus
  • Vice President, Secretary & General Counsel - Michelle Keating
  • Sanjay Chowbey - President & Chief Executive Officer

    Sanjay Chowbey, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Kennametal, defines the strategic vision and operational direction for the entire organization. Overseeing the execution of business goals across the Metal Cutting and Infrastructure segments, the President & Chief Executive Officer ensures that the company maintains its leadership position in tungsten carbide and ceramic applications. This leadership role involves coordinating with the Board and senior management to drive innovation in airframe and automotive manufacturing solutions. By prioritizing market expansion and operational excellence, Sanjay Chowbey directly impacts the competitive standing of the firm. Through decisive leadership, Chowbey guides the integration of digital sales channels and traditional distribution networks to maximize global reach. The President & Chief Executive Officer maintains a focus on delivering value to shareholders while advancing the core mission of providing high-performance materials that enable industrial progress across various international markets.
    Sanjay Chowbey

    Johannes Gaalen - Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

    Johannes Gaalen, the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Kennametal, manages the global financial architecture and capital allocation strategies. Overseeing fiscal reporting and investor relations, the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer ensures the integrity of all economic data across the Metal Cutting and Infrastructure segments. This leadership role involves rigorous oversight of cost structures to support the development of tungsten carbides and advanced ceramics. By optimizing liquidity and managing risk, Johannes Gaalen directly impacts the long-term financial health of the organization. Through disciplined capital management, Gaalen secures the resources necessary for ongoing research and development initiatives. The Vice President and Chief Financial Officer maintains alignment with the Board regarding quarterly performance targets and long-term value creation, ensuring that financial operations remain robust while supporting the broader strategic objectives of the company in competitive international markets.

    Patrick Watson - Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

    Patrick Watson, the Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Kennametal, directs the corporate treasury and financial planning functions. Overseeing the analysis of global market trends and cost-efficiency programs, the Vice President & Chief Financial Officer ensures that the company maintains a strong balance sheet to support its industrial operations. This leadership role involves managing the financial reporting for the Infrastructure segment and optimizing capital expenditure for manufacturing facilities. By implementing rigorous financial controls, Patrick Watson directly impacts the profitability and operational agility of the business. Through strategic financial oversight, Watson supports the expansion of digital sales channels and integrated supplier networks. The Vice President & Chief Financial Officer collaborates with the executive leadership team to ensure that financial strategies align with the company's long-term goals of delivering superior material solutions to the global automotive and industrial equipment sectors.
    Patrick Watson

    Edward Melendez - President

    Edward Melendez, the President at Kennametal, manages the operational execution of the Infrastructure segment. Overseeing the production and distribution of hard materials, the President ensures that the company meets the rigorous demands of industrial equipment manufacturers worldwide. This leadership role involves coordinating supply chain logistics and optimizing manufacturing processes to maintain high quality standards. By driving operational efficiency, Edward Melendez directly impacts the delivery of critical components for trucks, ships, and industrial machinery. Through strategic management of the Infrastructure segment, Melendez supports the overall growth objectives of the firm. The President collaborates with other segment leaders to ensure that the company's product offerings remain competitive and aligned with market requirements. By focusing on operational excellence and customer service, the President secures the company's position as a reliable partner for industrial clients across diverse global markets.

    David Bersaglini - President, Metal Cutting Segment

    David Bersaglini, the President, Metal Cutting Segment at Kennametal, manages the global strategy and performance of the Metal Cutting business unit. Overseeing the development of milling, hole making, and turning systems, the President, Metal Cutting Segment ensures that the company provides advanced tooling solutions for the aerospace and automotive industries. This leadership role involves directing the sales force and managing the network of independent distributors that deliver WIDIA and Kennametal products. By driving market penetration and product innovation, David Bersaglini directly impacts the revenue growth of the segment. Through the optimization of digital and direct sales channels, Bersaglini enhances the company's ability to serve industrial equipment manufacturers. The President, Metal Cutting Segment collaborates with the technology and operations teams to ensure that the product portfolio meets the evolving needs of global airframe and aero engine production.
    David Bersaglini

    Amanda Cole - Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer

    Amanda Cole, the Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer at Kennametal, directs the global talent strategy and organizational development initiatives. Overseeing workforce planning and cultural integration, the Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that the company attracts and retains top-tier expertise in material science and industrial engineering. This leadership role involves designing compensation frameworks and performance management systems that drive productivity across diverse manufacturing environments. By fostering an inclusive and high-performance culture, Amanda Cole directly impacts the operational efficiency of the business. Through strategic talent acquisition, Cole supports the expansion of the WIDIA and Kennametal brands into new industrial sectors. The Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer collaborates with executive leadership to align human capital investments with the overarching mission of delivering innovative hard material solutions to customers worldwide, ensuring that the workforce remains agile and prepared for future technological shifts.

    Carlonda Reilly - Vice President & Chief Technology Officer

    Carlonda Reilly, the Vice President & Chief Technology Officer at Kennametal, architects the research and development roadmap for advanced material science. Overseeing the innovation pipeline for tungsten carbides and ceramics, the Vice President & Chief Technology Officer ensures that the company remains at the forefront of industrial toolmaking systems. This leadership role involves managing technical teams focused on aero engine and automotive component manufacturing solutions. By driving the development of next-generation hard materials, Carlonda Reilly directly impacts the product portfolio and market differentiation of the firm. Through strategic investment in emerging technologies, Reilly enhances the performance of WIDIA and Kennametal branded products. The Vice President & Chief Technology Officer collaborates with engineering departments to translate complex scientific research into scalable manufacturing applications, ensuring that the company continues to provide high-value solutions that meet the evolving needs of global industrial equipment manufacturers.
    Carlonda Reilly

    Carlonda Reilly - Vice President & Chief Technology Officer

    Carlonda Reilly, the Vice President & Chief Technology Officer at Kennametal, manages the intellectual property portfolio and technical partnerships that sustain the company's competitive advantage. Overseeing the integration of digital manufacturing tools and additive processes, the Vice President & Chief Technology Officer ensures that the firm leverages cutting-edge technology to improve tool life and precision. This leadership role involves guiding the technical strategy for hole making and turning systems used in heavy industry. By fostering a culture of continuous technical improvement, Carlonda Reilly directly impacts the efficiency of global production cycles. Through the application of advanced material science, Reilly supports the development of sustainable and high-performance solutions for airframe and ship manufacturing. The Vice President & Chief Technology Officer works closely with the executive team to align technological advancements with market demands, ensuring that the company maintains its status as a premier provider of industrial hard materials.
    Carlonda Reilly

    Judith Bacchus - Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer

    Judith Bacchus, the Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer at Kennametal, directs the corporate administrative functions and internal business processes. Overseeing the implementation of enterprise-wide policies and operational support systems, the Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer ensures that the organization functions with maximum efficiency. This leadership role involves managing cross-functional initiatives that support the development and application of tungsten carbides and ceramics. By streamlining administrative workflows, Judith Bacchus directly impacts the productivity of the global workforce. Through the coordination of internal resources, Bacchus supports the strategic objectives of the Metal Cutting and Infrastructure segments. The Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer collaborates with the executive team to ensure that corporate governance and operational standards are consistently met, facilitating a cohesive environment that enables the company to deliver high-performance material solutions to its diverse customer base.
    Judith Bacchus

    Michelle Keating - Vice President, Secretary & General Counsel

    Michelle Keating, the Vice President, Secretary & General Counsel at Kennametal, directs the legal and compliance framework for the entire organization. Overseeing corporate governance and regulatory adherence, the Vice President, Secretary & General Counsel ensures that all business activities align with international legal standards. This leadership role involves managing intellectual property protection for the company's proprietary tungsten carbide and ceramic technologies. By mitigating legal risks and overseeing contractual obligations, Michelle Keating directly impacts the stability and reputation of the firm. Through strategic legal counsel, Keating supports the expansion of the company's global footprint and the management of its diverse distribution channels. The Vice President, Secretary & General Counsel collaborates with the Board and executive leadership to navigate complex regulatory environments, ensuring that the company maintains its commitment to ethical business practices while pursuing its mission of delivering innovative industrial solutions.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Kennametal Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Kennametal?
    Kennametal is led by Sanjay Chowbey (President & Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Johannes Gaalen (Vice President and Chief Financial Officer) and Patrick Watson (Vice President & Chief Financial Officer).
    Who is part of Kennametal’s executive team?
    The executive team of Kennametal includes leaders such as Sanjay Chowbey (President & Chief Executive Officer), Johannes Gaalen (Vice President and Chief Financial Officer), Patrick Watson (Vice President & Chief Financial Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Kennametal have?
    Kennametal has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Kennametal’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Kennametal includes roles such as President & Chief Executive Officer, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, President, President, Metal Cutting Segment.