TekniPlex, a Wayne, Pennsylvania-based global materials science company serving the healthcare and consumer products markets, has appointed Brian Kesseler as Chief Executive Officer, effective October 13, 2026. Kesseler, the former CEO of Tenneco, brings more than three decades of operating leadership at global industrial companies. He succeeds Brenda Chamulak, who has stepped down.
Rob Rutledge, Managing Partner at Genstar Capital, said TekniPlex has real momentum across its business units and “Brian is the right leader to accelerate it.” He pointed to Kesseler’s experience scaling large global manufacturing businesses and driving growth and innovation.
Kesseler said TekniPlex stands out for its differentiated materials expertise, deep customer relationships and global footprint. His priorities are delivering consistently for customers and employees, growing faster than the company’s underlying markets, and driving operational excellence.
About Brian Kesseler
Kesseler most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of Tenneco, a global automotive and industrial components manufacturer with about $18 billion in revenue and roughly 71,000 employees. He joined Tenneco in 2015 as Chief Operating Officer as part of its succession plan, became CEO in 2017 and was elected to the board in 2016. He also served as CEO of DRiV, Tenneco’s $6 billion performance division, and as co-CEO of Tenneco. During his tenure, he led the company through the acquisition of Federal-Mogul, which nearly doubled its size, and its 2022 sale to Apollo Global Management.
Before Tenneco, Kesseler spent 20 years at Johnson Controls, rising to President of Global Power Solutions, the company’s most profitable segment, with $6.5 billion in revenue. He began his career in manufacturing at Ford Motor Company. He currently serves on the board of directors of HFI and is a member of the CEO Council at o9 Solutions.
Kesseler holds a B.A. in Finance from Michigan State University and an MBA in Systems Management from Baldwin Wallace University.
About TekniPlex
TekniPlex is a globally integrated provider of innovative solutions grounded in materials science and manufacturing technologies, serving customers in the healthcare and consumer products markets. Its critical components and packaging support pharmaceutical packaging, medical devices, drug delivery and consumer goods. The company operates 58 manufacturing sites across 12 countries, employs about 9,000 people and is a portfolio company of Genstar Capital.
