Duravant Announces Retirement of CEO Mike Kachmer, Names Jill Evanko Successor

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 17, 2025--

Duravant LLC (“Duravant”), a global leader in advanced automation solutions, announced today that Mike Kachmer will retire from his role as Chief Executive Officer after a highly successful tenure with the company. Duravant’s Board of Directors has named Jill Evanko as CEO, joining the company on January 5, 2026. To ensure a seamless transition, Mr. Kachmer will continue to serve as Chairman of Duravant. Mr. Kachmer will also continue to serve on the Board of Directors for Northwestern Memorial Healthcare and The London Clinic.

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“It has been a true honor and a humbling experience to lead this incredible company,” said Mr. Kachmer. “I am profoundly grateful to my colleagues within Duravant for their support over the years. Together, we have built an organization with a truly differentiated operating model and culture, one that cultivates collaboration, empowers innovation, and operates with unwavering integrity.”

Jill Evanko joins Duravant from Chart Industries, Inc. (NYSE: GTLS) where she served as President and Chief Executive Officer since 2018. Prior, Ms. Evanko was the Chief Financial Officer of Truck-Lite Co. LLC, and held multiple executive leadership positions at Dover Corporation (NYSE: DOV) and its subsidiaries. Earlier in her career, she held financial and operational roles at Arthur Andersen LLP, Honeywell Corporation and Sony Corporation. Ms. Evanko received a Master of Business Administration degree from The University of Notre Dame and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from La Salle University. Ms. Evanko also serves as an independent director of the Board of Greif, Inc. (NYSE: GEF, GEF.B)

“It is a privilege to join Duravant and build upon the remarkable foundation established by Mike,” said Jill Evanko. “I’m grateful to him for the strong legacy of excellence he leaves behind, and I’m excited to work with this exceptional team to advance our mission and shape Duravant’s next chapter of success.”

Under Mr. Kachmer’s leadership, Duravant emerged as a prominent player in the industrial automation sector. Mr. Kachmer led the company’s transformation through 30 acquisitions and strategic partnerships and set the company’s vision to expand into new market segments. He also grew Duravant’s global footprint throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia and strengthened its position in emerging markets with the establishment of sales and service centers in Brazil, Mexico, China, Thailand, and India.

“Mike’s retirement will mark the end of a remarkable career with Duravant. With his vision steering the company, Duravant has delivered unrivaled growth driven by innovation, operational excellence, and a fine-tuned customer focus,” said Jeff Goldfaden, Managing Director and Head of Industrials at Warburg Pincus and member of Duravant’s Board of Directors. “We are looking forward to welcoming Jill as Duravant’s next CEO. Her strategic mindset and extensive leadership experience at best-in-class industrials companies position her to build upon Duravant’s core strengths and lead the company’s future success.”

“On behalf of the Board, I’d like to extend our deep appreciation to Mike for his unwavering commitment and outstanding service to Duravant. His leadership and strategic direction have been instrumental in shaping the company into the high performing organization it is today,” said Wes Bieligk, Partner at Carlyle and member of Duravant’s Board of Directors. “We’re excited to welcome Jill to Duravant. Her deep expertise and accomplishments reflect the same commitment to excellence and collaboration that define Duravant.”

“Looking ahead, I am delighted that Jill will succeed me as CEO,” said Mr. Kachmer. Her extensive experience, demonstrated capabilities, and winning spirit make her the perfect person to lead Duravant forward. I am confident that Jill and her leadership team will continue to build on our strong foundation and take Duravant to new heights.”

About Duravant

Duravant is a global leader in advanced automation solutions operating across the food processing, packaging, and material handling industries. Founded on more than a century of expertise, Duravant delivers performance-driven technologies, integrated systems and full lifecycle services that drive productivity, efficiency and safety for the world’s producers and movers of high demand goods. The company serves a broad range of essential end markets including food & beverage, agriculture, consumer and industrial goods, e-commerce, and logistics. Headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois, and serving customers in more than 190 countries, Duravant unites a portfolio of leading brands under a shared commitment to quality, innovation and customer success. For more information, visit www.duravant.com.

Mike Kachmer

In a matter of hours Sunday, what had appeared to be a year no teams with losing records would be needed to fill out the bowl schedule suddenly changed when Notre Dame, Iowa State and Kansas State announced they would decline bids despite being eligible.

There are 41 bowls this year, and 82 teams won the necessary six games to be eligible. But Iowa State and Kansas State teams going through coaching changes almost simultaneously said they were hanging up their cleats for the season. Notre Dame, the first team left out of the College Football Playoff, followed a few hours later.

Mississippi State and Rice, both 5-7, swooped in to accept bids because they were among the first in line based on their Academic Progress Rate. The Bulldogs will play Wake Forest in the Duke's Mayo Bowl in Charlotte, North Carolina, and the Owls will face Texas State in the Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, Texas.

The Birmingham Bowl was still searching Sunday evening for an opponent to play Georgia Southern, according to On3.

Iowa State, Kansas State and Notre Dame weren't going to play in any of those lower-level bowls, but their decisions altered the order of selections and presumably allowed three lesser teams to move up and bowls at the bottom to scramble.

Notre Dame's decision to shut down for the year came after it was announced as the first team left out of the playoff.

“As a team, we've decided to withdraw our name from consideration for a bowl game following the 2025 season,” the Fighting Irish said in a statement on social media. “We appreciate all the support from our families and fans, and we're hoping to bring the 12th national title to South Bend in 2026.”

Notre Dame won its last 10 games following a three-point loss to Miami and a one-point loss to Texas A&M. The Fighting Irish, which lost to Ohio State in the national championship game last season, finished 10-2 and ranked No. 9 on Sunday in The Associated Press poll and No. 11 in the CFP rankings.

Miami got into the playoff as an at-large selection after moving from No. 12 to No. 10 in the final rankings. Notre Dame dropped a spot and will now stay home for the postseason for the first time since 2016.

The Big 12 Conference said it will fine Iowa State and Kansas State $500,000 each for opting out of bowl participation. Both schools are going through coaching transitions with Matt Campbell leaving Iowa State for Penn State and Chris Klieman announcing his retirement.

“While the conference acknowledges the difficult timing around coaching changes, the Big 12 is responsible for fulfilling its contractual obligations to its bowl partners,” the Big 12 said in a statement.

Iowa State announced its players voted to not play in a bowl because the team doesn't have healthy players to safety practice and play. ISU did not mention the coaching change from Campbell to Jimmy Rogers in its statement.

The Cyclones sustained numerous injuries this season while going 8-4, and members of the athletics administration and the previous coaching staff met Sunday with the players to gauge their interest in a bowl.

“The administrative staff and coaches respect and support the players decision,” athletic director Jamie Pollard said. “Our student-athletes have had an incredible season and we are grateful for their leadership as we worked through this process with them today.”

K-State athletic director Gene Taylor said he had conversations with players and Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark before deciding to decline a bowl bid. The Wildcats were 6-6 after beating Colorado at home in their final home game.

“This decision was not taken lightly, but with our coaching staff transition and several uncertainties regarding player availability, I felt it was not in our best interest to try to field a team that was not representative of Kansas State University," Taylor said. "We applaud this group for fighting back from a 2-4 record to lead us to bowl eligibility yet again, and we are happy that our seniors were able to go out on top with a victory inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium.”

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Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht (3) looks to pass against the Oklahoma State during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Stillwater, Okla. (AP Photo/Gerald Leong)