Kennametal, the Pittsburgh-based industrial technology leader, said Joseph Alvarado will succeed William Lambert as chairman of the Board after Lambert’s retirement.
Lambert will retire at the conclusion of the company’s annual shareholder meeting on Oct. 27, 2026, and Alvarado will take the helm the day after.
“Joe is the right leader to serve as our next Chairman,” Sanjay Chowbey, president and CEO of Kennametal, said. “He brings deep industrial experience, strong public company leadership and a practical understanding of manufacturing, operations and capital allocation. Having served on our board for several years, he also understands Kennametal, our strategy and the opportunities ahead. I look forward to continuing to work with him as we execute our plans and build long-term value for shareholders.”
Alvarado has been an independent director of the Kennametal Board since 2018, and has been chair of the nominating/corporate governance committee since 2023. He also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Arcosa, Inc., PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., and Trinseo, S.A. The retired chairman, president and CEO of Commercial Metals Company, Alvarado, has also served as president of U.S. Steel Tubular Products, Inc., a division of U.S. Steel Corporation. Alvarado holds an MBA from the Johnson School, Cornell University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Notre Dame.
Lambert joined the Kennametal Board in 2016 and has served as chairman since 2023.
“Serving on Kennametal’s board has been a privilege and one of the most rewarding experiences of my career,” Lambert said. “After careful consideration, I have decided that the time is right for this transition. I have great confidence in the Company’s strategy, leadership team and Board colleagues, and I look forward to watching Kennametal continue to build on its strong foundation and create value for all stakeholders.”