Watlow Executive and Leadership Team

October, 2026

Leadership Overview

Watlow has 6 executives leading key functions including strategy, financial oversight, operational scaling, human capital management, and corporate leadership.

Driven by a century of thermal expertise, Watlow delivers advanced industrial heating, sensing, and control solutions to global markets while maintaining a commitment to engineering excellence and customer-centric innovation.

Leadership Roles at Watlow

  • Chief Executive Officer - Rob Gilmore
  • Chief Financial Officer - Colleen Mettler
  • Chief Financial Officer & Partner - Rina Esquivel-Tanchico
  • Chief Operating Officer - Dan Lee
  • President - Gary Neal
  • Chief Human Resources Officer - Erica McKeon
  • Rob Gilmore - Chief Executive Officer

    Rob Gilmore, the Chief Executive Officer at Watlow, directs the overarching strategic vision for the organization. Overseeing the development of industrial heaters, sensors, and controllers, the Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment between engineering capabilities and evolving market demands. This leadership role involves guiding the company through complex manufacturing landscapes while fostering a culture of continuous improvement. By prioritizing long-term growth and technological advancement, Rob Gilmore directly impacts the competitive positioning of the firm across international sectors. The Chief Executive Officer maintains close collaboration with the Board to secure financial health and operational excellence. Through rigorous oversight of product innovation cycles, Gilmore drives the expansion of thermal solutions into new industrial applications. Ultimately, the Chief Executive Officer secures the market leadership of the organization by balancing immediate performance metrics with sustainable, forward-looking investment strategies that define the future of industrial thermal technology.
    Rob Gilmore

    Colleen Mettler - Chief Financial Officer

    Colleen Mettler, the Chief Financial Officer at Watlow, manages the fiscal health and capital allocation strategies for the enterprise. Overseeing global financial reporting and risk management, the Chief Financial Officer ensures the integrity of all economic data supporting the manufacturing of industrial heaters and sensors. This leadership role involves optimizing cost structures to improve margins while funding critical research and development initiatives. By analyzing market trends and operational expenditures, Colleen Mettler directly impacts the financial stability of the company. The Chief Financial Officer coordinates with other executive leaders to align budgetary resources with long-term growth objectives. Through the implementation of robust financial controls, Mettler supports the scaling of production facilities across diverse geographic regions. Ultimately, the Chief Financial Officer secures the fiscal foundation necessary for the organization to maintain its status as a premier provider of thermal solutions in a highly competitive global industrial machinery market.

    Rina Esquivel-Tanchico - Chief Financial Officer & Partner

    Rina Esquivel-Tanchico, the Chief Financial Officer & Partner at Watlow, oversees strategic investment planning and long-term financial partnerships. Focusing on the capital structure and shareholder value, the Chief Financial Officer & Partner ensures that the organization maintains the liquidity required for sustained innovation in industrial heating technology. This leadership role involves evaluating potential acquisitions and strategic alliances that expand the company's market reach. By managing complex financial portfolios, Rina Esquivel-Tanchico directly impacts the strategic trajectory of the firm. The Chief Financial Officer & Partner works closely with the executive team to ensure that financial policies support the broader mission of delivering high-quality sensors and controllers. Through the oversight of corporate governance and financial transparency, Esquivel-Tanchico strengthens the trust of stakeholders. Ultimately, the Chief Financial Officer & Partner secures the financial resources necessary to fuel the next generation of thermal engineering breakthroughs, ensuring the company remains at the forefront of industrial machinery manufacturing.

    Dan Lee - Chief Operating Officer

    Dan Lee, the Chief Operating Officer at Watlow, directs the end-to-end manufacturing and supply chain operations for the company. Overseeing the production of industrial heaters, sensors, and controllers, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that manufacturing processes meet rigorous quality standards and efficiency targets. This leadership role involves streamlining logistics and optimizing factory throughput to support global demand. By integrating advanced manufacturing technologies, Dan Lee directly impacts the operational agility of the firm. The Chief Operating Officer collaborates with engineering teams to translate complex designs into scalable production realities. Through the management of regional manufacturing hubs, Lee drives the consistent delivery of high-performance thermal components to customers worldwide. Ultimately, the Chief Operating Officer secures the operational excellence required to maintain the company's reputation for reliability and precision in the industrial machinery sector, ensuring that every product meets the exacting specifications of the diverse client base.
    Dan Lee

    Gary Neal - President

    Gary Neal, the President at Watlow, executes the day-to-day business operations and drives the implementation of corporate strategy. Overseeing the integration of sales, marketing, and product development, the President ensures that the company effectively delivers industrial heaters, sensors, and controllers to a global customer base. This leadership role involves managing cross-functional teams to achieve revenue targets and market penetration goals. By refining business processes and customer service protocols, Gary Neal directly impacts the overall market performance of the firm. The President coordinates with the Chief Executive Officer to translate high-level vision into actionable business plans. Through the oversight of regional sales initiatives, Neal drives the expansion of the company's footprint in key industrial sectors. Ultimately, the President secures the commercial success of the organization by ensuring that all business units operate in harmony, delivering consistent value to clients while upholding the company's long-standing commitment to engineering excellence and industrial innovation.

    Erica McKeon - Chief Human Resources Officer

    Erica McKeon, the Chief Human Resources Officer at Watlow, directs the talent acquisition, organizational development, and employee engagement strategies. Overseeing the cultivation of a high-performance workforce, the Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that the company attracts and retains the specialized engineering talent required to design advanced industrial heaters and sensors. This leadership role involves building inclusive corporate cultures and implementing training programs that foster technical expertise. By aligning human capital initiatives with business goals, Erica McKeon directly impacts the productivity and innovation capacity of the organization. The Chief Human Resources Officer collaborates with department heads to address workforce needs across global operations. Through the development of performance management systems, McKeon drives the professional growth of the entire staff. Ultimately, the Chief Human Resources Officer secures the human infrastructure necessary for the company to maintain its competitive edge, ensuring that the workforce remains capable of solving the most challenging thermal management problems in the industry.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Watlow Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Watlow?
    Watlow is led by Rob Gilmore (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Colleen Mettler (Chief Financial Officer) and Rina Esquivel-Tanchico (Chief Financial Officer & Partner).
    Who is part of Watlow’s executive team?
    The executive team of Watlow includes leaders such as Rob Gilmore (Chief Executive Officer), Colleen Mettler (Chief Financial Officer), Rina Esquivel-Tanchico (Chief Financial Officer & Partner) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Watlow have?
    Watlow has 6 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Watlow’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Watlow includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Financial Officer & Partner, Chief Operating Officer, President.