February 20, 2024
Leadership Transition at Legrand: John Selldorff to Retire
Photo: LinkedIn
Under Selldorff's leadership, Legrand grew from $600 million to a $4 billion powerhouse in North & Central America
After more than two decades of leadership at Legrand, John Selldorff, President and CEO of North & Central America, is set to retire this month. Selldorff, who joined the company in 2002, has been instrumental in steering the company's expansive growth across various sectors including Audio Visual, Data Power & Control, Building Control Systems & Lighting, and Electrical Wiring Systems. Brian DiBella, current President of the Data, Power & Control division, will step into the role March 1, 2024.
Under Selldorff's leadership, Legrand North & Central America transformed into a formidable player in the lighting and control systems space. When he joined in 2002, the company's previous acquisitions in the lighting and controls space had been significant, yet limited to WattStopper, based in California, in 1996, and Horton Controls, based in Alabama, in 2000.
Selldorff's tenure saw a significant expansion of Legrand's Building Control Systems & Lighting division through strategic acquisitions, including Vantage Controls in 2007, Pinnacle Architectural Lighting in 2016, OCL in 2017, Finelite in 2017, Kenall in 2018, Focal Point in 2020, and Encelium in 2022. These acquisitions have significantly enhanced Legrand's offerings and market position in the lighting sector.
At Legrand, Selldorff managed an overall business portfolio of approximately $4 billion, overseeing 34 manufacturing sites and more than 10,500 associates, showcasing his leadership's breadth and impact. Beyond his role at Legrand, Selldorff has been an active leader in the industry. He served as a member of the board of governors and former chair of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA).
In what might have been a hint at his impending retirement from Legrand, it was announced in January that Selldorff had joined the board of directors at Laticrete International, a manufacturer of flooring and facade material.
“I would like to express my thanks and congratulations to John Selldorff who built Legrand's North & Central America business from a $600 million small manufacturer of switches and sockets, at the time of his appointment, to a leader in electrical and digital building infrastructures, including Cable Management, Data Centers, Audio Visual, Building Controls, and Lighting. LNCA has grown to approximately $4 billion and represents around 40 percent of the Group’s global revenue today. John also significantly contributed to the Group's development, being the longest-serving member of the Executive Committee,” said Benoît Coquart, CEO of Legrand.
Brian DiBella to Take the Helm
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| Brian DiBella (photo: Legrand) |
Brian DiBella, previously President of the Electrical Wiring Systems (EWS) and currently President of Data Power & Control (DPC) division, has been chosen to succeed Selldorff as the President and CEO of Legrand North and Central America.
DiBella's journey with Legrand began in 2004 as the Chief Information Officer, followed by his role as Vice President/General Manager of Wiremold in 2007, and then President of EWS starting in 2014, before moving to the data division in 2021. His extensive experience within Legrand positions him well to lead the company into its next phase of growth and innovation.
The appointment of DiBella promises a seamless continuation of leadership and vision for Legrand North and Central America, with an eye toward sustaining the company's growth trajectory and innovation in the building infrastructure and lighting markets.
