Johnson Controls International plc has named Lei Schlitz as president, Global Products effective today. In this role, Schlitz will lead the Global Products business, succeeding Jeff Williams who retired earlier this year. She will be based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Schlitz joins Johnson Controls from Illinois Tool Works, where she most recently held the role of executive vice president, Automotive OEM segment. Throughout her 14-year career at ITW, she held a number of progressive roles including, vice president, Research and Development; group president, Global Ware-Wash & Refrigeration Business and Food Equipment, Asia Pacific; and executive vice president, Food Equipment Group. Prior to ITW, Schlitz spent 7 years at Siemens Energy & Automation, most recently as the business manager for Emerging Businesses, Residential Product Division.

Prior to that, she served as director of Product & Manufacturing Engineering, Low Voltage Group. Earlier in her career, Schlitz spent time at both General Electric and Eaton Corporation. Schlitz holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin, a master's degree in mechanical engineering, also from the University of Wisconsin, and a bachelor's degree in engineering mechanics, from Tsinghua University, China.