Graco Inc. announced that Dale D. Johnson has informed the company of his intention to retire in the first quarter of 2025, and that in anticipation of Mr. Johnson?s retirement David J. Thompson will succeed him as President, Worldwide Contractor Equipment Division, effective January 1, 2024. Beginning on that date, Mr. Johnson will assume the role of Chief Commercial Development Officer, in which capacity he will support the Contractor Equipment Division leadership transition to Mr. Thompson, as well as facilitate various commercial and cross-divisional initiatives. Mr. Thompson is currently Vice President of Engineering, Contractor Equipment Division, a role he has held since 2021.

He joined Graco as an engineer in 1988 and has held a series of positions of increasing responsibility within the Contractor Equipment Division throughout his career, including Engineering Manager, Senior Engineering Manager and Director of Engineering. Mr. Thompson holds Associates degrees in mechanical engineering and engineering drafting and design from Anoka-Ramsey Community College and Anoka Technical College, respectively, as well as a Bachelors of Business Administration from Capella University.