# Rich Stinson

> Rich Stinson is a retired electrical-industry executive and engineer who led Southwire from 2016 through 2025 after more than three decades at Westinghouse and Eaton. His decade at the family-owned wire and cable manufacturer paired operating discipline and acquisition-led expansion with what he called a second P&L: People and Lives. He also chaired NEMA's Board of Governors, helped form the Alliance to Electrify America, and received industry and workplace-inclusion honors before retiring on January 1, 2026.

- **Role:** Retired; former President and CEO of Southwire
- **Organizations:** Southwire Company, Eaton Corporation, Westinghouse Electric, National Electrical Manufacturers Association, Alliance to Electrify America
- **Education:** Bachelor's degree in engineering, University of Pittsburgh
- **Known for:** Led Southwire as president and CEO for a decade, guiding organic growth, acquisitions, operational improvement and a strengthened financial position., Helped form the Alliance to Electrify America with NEMA, NECA, NAED and NEMRA., Chaired the National Electrical Manufacturers Association Board of Governors in 2023.

## Career timeline

- **Early 1980s** — Began his electrical-industry career as an engineer in Westinghouse's Manufacturing Development Program, including project work in Puerto Rico.
- **1990s-2015** — Continued with the electrical business after Eaton acquired part of Westinghouse, moving through plant management, operations, supply chain, general management and senior leadership roles.
- **2000s-2015** — Became a vice president and general manager, then led Eaton businesses including a multibillion-dollar power group; his final Eaton title was Group President, Electrical Systems and Services.
- **2015-10** — Joined Southwire as president as part of a planned CEO transition.
- **2016-01** — Became Southwire's fourth president and CEO.
- **2022** — Recognized by the Atlanta Business Chronicle as a Most Admired CEO in manufacturing and distribution.
- **2023** — Named Georgia Trend's Most Respected Business Leader and served as chair of NEMA's Board of Governors.
- **2025** — Received the William E. Gaskin Ally Award from Women in Manufacturing and Southwire's Pioneer Award for inclusion leadership.
- **2026-01-01** — Retired as Southwire's president and CEO after more than 44 years in the electrical industry, remaining briefly as an executive adviser for the leadership transition.
- **2026-06** — Received NAED's Associate Distinguished Service Award for contributions to the electrical distribution industry.

## Achievements

- Led Southwire as president and CEO for a decade, guiding organic growth, acquisitions, operational improvement and a strengthened financial position.
- Helped form the Alliance to Electrify America with NEMA, NECA, NAED and NEMRA.
- Chaired the National Electrical Manufacturers Association Board of Governors in 2023.
- Named Georgia Trend's 2023 Most Respected Business Leader.
- Named a 2022 Atlanta Business Chronicle Most Admired CEO in manufacturing and distribution.
- Received the 2025 William E. Gaskin Ally Award from Women in Manufacturing.
- Received Southwire's 2025 Pioneer Award for advancing inclusion.
- Received NAED's 2026 Associate Distinguished Service Award.

## Latest updates

- **2026-06** — Received NAED's Associate Distinguished Service Award for sustained service to electrical distribution and his role in the Alliance to Electrify America.
- **2026-01** — Retired as Southwire president and CEO on January 1 after more than 44 years in the electrical industry and participated in an exit interview with tED magazine.
- **2025-11** — Received Southwire's Pioneer Award for helping establish the company's values and advancing inclusion.
- **2025-10** — Announced his retirement and the appointment of Ganesh Ramaswamy as Southwire's next president and CEO.
- **2025-10** — Honored with Women in Manufacturing's William E. Gaskin Ally Award.

## Links

- Website: https://www.southwire.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-stinson-34012010a
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b036FoTG1Rs

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/rich-stinson
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-28