PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 3, 2026--
PPG (NYSE:PPG) today announced that Justin Epler has been appointed vice president, Industrial Coatings (IC) Americas, effective Aug. 1, 2026. He will report directly to Juliane Hefel, senior vice president, Industrial Coatings and Specialty Products. Epler will succeed Hendekea Azene, who has decided to leave PPG for an outside opportunity.
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“Throughout her eight years in leadership positions at PPG, Hende made valuable contributions and provided strong leadership, dedication and passion for the business,” said Hefel. “We wish her every success in her next chapter.”
Epler brings deep knowledge of the region and IC business over 15 years, most recently serving as general manager of the IC EMEA region. While in this role, he delivered measurable performance improvements across the region over a three-year tenure, including a stronger focus on commercial excellence and disciplined planning. Prior to leading the IC EMEA region, Justin served as director of coil and building products in IC Americas for nearly five years. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and International Business Management from Saint Vincent College.
“Throughout his career, Justin has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to customers and a deep understanding of their needs,” said Hefel. “His ability to listen, connect and deliver has been a hallmark of everything he does. In this role, Justin will focus on deepening customer partnerships, driving continued growth across the region, and ensuring that our high level of service and technical expertise remains at the forefront of everything we do.”
PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD®
At PPG (NYSE:PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and specialty products that our customers have trusted for more than 140 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers’ biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we market and sell in more than 50 countries and reported net sales of $15.9 billion in 2025. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com.
The PPG Logo and We protect and beautify the world are registered trademarks of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
Justin Epler has been appointed PPG vice president, Industrial Coatings Americas, effective Aug. 1, 2026.
The Philadelphia Phillies took a big swing early Monday ahead of baseball's trade deadline, acquiring three-time batting champion Luis Arraez from the San Francisco Giants to create RBI opportunities for sluggers Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber.
Arraez is hitting an NL-best .324 in a resurgent season after signing a $12 million, one-year deal with San Francisco early in spring training. The 29-year-old has his highest batting average since 2023, and he's played better defense at second base after questions about his glove hindered his market in free agency.
Schwarber is second in the majors with 33 home runs entering Monday yet ranks 31st with 63 RBIs, while Harper has driven in 66. The team's .304 on-base percentage is the second lowest in the majors.
Philly also got reliever Caleb Kilian back from the Giants in the trade for two minor leaguers, and it swung a separate deal for left-handed reliever Brooks Raley with the New York Mets.
The Los Angeles Dodgers woke up already looking like the deadline's biggest winners after adding two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal to a loaded roster Sunday. The Dodgers are chasing a third straight World Series title.
Over in the American League, Tampa Bay beefed up its rotation Sunday by adding right-hander Freddy Peralta while the New York Yankees acquired young slugger Luis García Jr. to give their Aaron Judge-less lineup a little more pop. Also on Sunday, the Chicago Cubs added Kevin Gausman to their rotation in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays.
The trade deadline is Monday at 6 p.m. EDT. Some enticing options still remain, including San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller and Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho.
— The Blue Jays bolstered their rotation with an eye on 2027 by acquiring right-hander José Soriano from the Los Angeles Angels for three prospects. The 27-year-old is 9-6 with a 3.29 ERA and has a 3.72 ERA over four big league seasons. He's under team control through 2028. Infielder Arjun Nimmala, a 2023 first-round pick, headlined the minor leaguers going to Los Angeles, along with outfielder Eddie Micheletti Jr. and right-hander Angel Rivero.
— The Atlanta Braves acquired veteran left-handed reliever Brent Suter from the Angels for minor league infielder Nacho Alvarez Jr. The 36-year-old Suter provides some bullpen depth for the NL East leaders. He was 1-2 with a 4.12 ERA over 63 1/3 innings in 41 appearances for Los Angeles, and threw at least two innings in 18 of those games.
— The Chicago White Sox added righty reliever Huascar Brazobán from the Mets for minor league right-handers Gabe Davis and Zach Franklin. The 36-year-old Brazobán is 5-2 with a 2.56 ERA over 46 games this season.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Los Angeles Angels pitcher José Soriano throws against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Sunday, July 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
San Francisco Giants' Luis Arraez jokes with players in the San Diego Padres dugout as he stands on first base after getting hit by a pitch during the fourth inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 30, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
