Rogers Corporation Announces Transition of Board Chair and Plans to Add New Independent Director
MWN-AI** Summary
Rogers Corporation (NYSE: ROG) has announced a transition in its Board of Directors leadership, as Peter Wallace, the current Chair, will not seek re-election at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Wallace, who has served on the board since June 2010 and as Chair or Lead Director since 2019, cited the need to focus on other boards and personal endeavors as his reason for stepping down. To ensure a seamless transition, Armand Lauzon, who has been with the Board since 2023, has been appointed the new Chair effective immediately.
Lauzon brings over four decades of experience in leading industrial and manufacturing companies and previously served as CEO of C&D Technologies. He emphasizes the importance of strategic focus and agile execution to drive sustainable growth at Rogers, highlighting confidence in the company’s ability to create long-term value for its stakeholders.
Additionally, Rogers plans to enhance its board composition by adding a new independent director, with support from Starboard Value LP, a major shareholder in the company. A search for the new director is already underway. Peter Feld, Managing Member of Starboard Value, expressed support for Lauzon's appointment and the board's ongoing efforts to strengthen its governance. Starboard confirmed it would not nominate directors for the upcoming election, reaffirming its commitment to collaborating with Rogers’ management to enhance operational and financial performance.
Rogers Corporation is recognized globally for its advanced engineered materials designed for critical applications in various sectors, including automotive and renewable energy. With manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Asia, and Europe, Rogers is strategically positioned to address the challenges of an increasingly technology-driven environment.
MWN-AI** Analysis
Rogers Corporation's recent announcement about the transition of board leadership underscores a period of evolution and strategic realignment within the company that investors should closely monitor. The decision by Peter Wallace not to stand for re-election at the 2026 Annual Meeting represents a pivotal moment, allowing for a strategic refresh at the board level led by Armand Lauzon.
With Lauzon stepping into the role of Chair, his extensive experience in managing transformation in industrial sectors positions him as a strong asset during this shift. His leadership has been notably effective in previous roles, and this familiarity with strategic growth can foster enhanced operational performance at Rogers. Lauzon’s commitment to promoting sustainable growth aligns well with current market trends focusing on sustainability and technological advancement—both critical to Rogers’ core businesses in engineered materials for electronics and renewable energy.
Moreover, the involvement of Starboard Value adds an extra layer of assurance for investors. Their commitment to help identify a new independent board member reflects a focus on governance that can enhance shareholder value. The absence of further nominations from Starboard for the 2026 meeting indicates a collaborative spirit, suggesting confidence in the current board’s strategic direction.
As Rogers Corporation continues to refine its strategic priorities, investors should remain vigilant. The company's focus on agile execution and long-term value creation, combined with new board leadership and fresh perspectives, could potentially enhance its market position. However, it is essential to observe how these changes translate into actual performance metrics and market response in upcoming quarters. Investors may consider adjusting their positions based on Rogers’ execution of its newfound strategic momentum and the direct impacts on financial performance.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
Rogers Corporation (NYSE: ROG) (the “Company”) today announced that Peter Wallace, Chair of the Board of Directors (the “Board”), has informed the Board of his decision not to stand for re-election at the Company’s 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
In anticipation of this transition, the Board has elected Armand Lauzon, an existing member of the Board since 2023, to serve as the next Chair, effective immediately. Mr. Wallace will partner with Mr. Lauzon over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition. Mr. Wallace joined the Board in June 2010 and has served as Chair or Lead Director since 2019.
“After 15 years of serving on the Board, I believe this is the right time for me to prioritize time with other boards and personal pursuits,” said Mr. Wallace. “Announcing my intent to not run for re-election now allows us to properly transition the Chair position. Rogers is well-positioned for an exciting future with a clear strategy, a strong management team, and a highly skilled Board.”
Armand Lauzon is a veteran CEO and board director with over 40 years of experience leading industrial and manufacturing companies through transformation and growth. A former CEO of C&D Technologies and Carlyle Group portfolio companies, he now serves on the boards of Zekelman Industries and Northwest Hardwoods, in addition to the Rogers Board, bringing deep expertise in strategy, operations, and governance.
“I am honored to take on this role at such an important time for Rogers,” said Mr. Lauzon. “Over the past few years, the Board and management team have refined our strategic priorities, with a focus on speed and agile execution and driving sustainable growth. I have great confidence in our ability to create long-term value for all our stakeholders.”
In addition, Rogers will also appoint a new independent director to the Board with input from Starboard Value LP (“Starboard Value”). A director search is underway.
“We are pleased to see the appointment of Armand Lauzon as Chair and applaud the Rogers Board’s continued efforts to strengthen and renew its composition,” said Peter Feld, Managing Member of Starboard Value. “We invested in the Company because of our belief in Rogers’ substantial opportunity to improve operating and financial performance, and the importance of its products and materials to power, protect, and connect an increasingly technology intensive world. We appreciate the constructive dialogue we’ve had with the Board and management team. Having worked with Armand previously, I have seen first-hand how his leadership can impact performance, and we are excited to see him lead the Board of Rogers. We also look forward to working with the Board to identify and appoint an additional board member with appropriate skills and experience.”
With this board change, Starboard Value has confirmed that it does not intend to nominate directors to stand for election at the Company’s 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
Sidley Austin LLP is serving as legal advisor to the Company.
About Rogers Corporation
Rogers Corporation (NYSE:ROG) is a global leader in engineered materials to power, protect and connect our world. Rogers delivers innovative solutions to help our customers solve their toughest material challenges. Rogers’ advanced electronic and elastomeric materials are used in applications for EV/HEV, automotive safety and radar systems, mobile devices, renewable energy, wireless infrastructure, energy-efficient motor drives, industrial equipment and more. Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, Rogers operates manufacturing facilities in the United States, Asia and Europe, with sales offices worldwide.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251016897632/en/
Investor Contact:
Steve Haymore
Phone: 480-917-6026
Email: stephen.haymore@rogerscorporation.com
Media Contact:
Email: corpcom@rogerscorporation.com
www.rogerscorp.com
FAQ**
How will the transition from Peter Wallace to Armand Lauzon as Chair of Rogers Corporation ROG impact the company's strategic priorities and overall corporate governance?
What specific qualities and expertise is Rogers Corporation ROG looking for in the new independent director to strengthen the Board and enhance operational performance?
Given Starboard Value's involvement, how does Rogers Corporation ROG plan to leverage investor insights to boost sustainable growth and improve financial performance moving forward?
What measures will Rogers Corporation ROG implement to ensure that the strategic vision put forth by Armand Lauzon is effectively executed during this leadership transition?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Rogers Corporation (NYSE: ROG).
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