Daikin Applied Americas
Jeff Drees, CEO of Daikin Applied Americas
Jeff Drees, CEO of Daikin Applied Americas
Jeff Drees, CEO of Daikin Applied Americas
Jeff Drees, CEO of Daikin Applied Americas
Jeff Drees, CEO of Daikin Applied Americas

Daikin Applied Americas Names New CEO

Aug. 17, 2022
Jeff Drees succeeds Mike Schwartz, who is retiring at the end of August after more than a decade leading the organization.

PRESS RELEASE

Daikin Industries announced that Jeff Drees is the new chief executive officer and president of Minneapolis-based Daikin Applied Americas. Drees currently serves as executive vice president of sales, marketing and aftermarket at Daikin Applied. He will replace Mike Schwartz, who is retiring at the end of August after 11 years of leading the organization.

“This is an exciting time to be in the HVAC and building solutions industry,” Drees said. “The work we do has a profound impact on the world at large, helping customers address issues such as reducing carbon emissions and improving indoor air quality. I’m honored to lead these efforts and add to the significant growth the business has experienced over the last decade.”

Drees joined Daikin Applied in 2020 and has helmed the organization’s solutions transformation, expanding the portfolio of offerings and adding new capabilities through key acquisitions. He is a staunch advocate for customers, as well as Daikin’s sales representatives and employees.

“Jeff’s leadership is critical to developing the strategy, plan and portfolio required to meet local and global challenges — air quality, decarbonization, digitalization,” said Hirokazu Hirao, director of Daikin’s Applied Solution Business Division, which includes Daikin Applied. “He is uniquely qualified to shape this organization to solve our customers’ problems and help us attain the top position in North America.”

Drees came to Daikin with experience in commercial engineering and operations. He held executive positions in private equity, as well as serving in significant business unit roles at Flowserve and Schneider Electric. Drees began his career in the U.S. Air Force.