Valvoline Welcomes Kevin Willis as New Chief Financial Officer to Drive Growth

Valvoline Welcomes Kevin Willis as Chief Financial Officer

Valvoline Inc. has exciting news as they officially announce the appointment of Kevin Willis as the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), set to take effect on May 19, 2025. This decision comes as current CFO, Mary Meixelsperger, prepares for her retirement, announced back in October 2024. Meixelsperger won't be leaving immediately; she will stay on to assist during the transition period.

Kevin Willis brings a wealth of experience to Valvoline, having spent a significant part of his career in leadership positions at Ashland Inc., where he served as CFO since 2013. Throughout his tenure at Ashland, he not only managed capital markets but also enhanced operational efficiency and oversaw financial systems integrations. His expertise will be invaluable as Valvoline strives to expand upon its existing success.

The President and CEO of Valvoline, Lori Flees, expressed enthusiasm regarding Willis’s upcoming contributions: "We are excited to welcome Kevin Willis as our new CFO. He is a seasoned public-company CFO and knows the Valvoline business well through his financial oversight while it was a segment of Ashland Global Holdings. This knowledge, along with his expertise in transformation, will deliver immediate value in driving our strategic priorities forward.” Flees also acknowledged the immense contributions made by Meixelsperger since Valvoline’s IPO in 2016, highlighting that her leadership has greatly shaped the company.

Willis, reflecting on his new role, stated, "Valvoline Inc. is an industry leader with a significant market opportunity, and I have been impressed with the company's growth since 2016 when I led its separation from Ashland and it became a publicly traded company. I know this is just the beginning of the success it can achieve, and I look forward to joining the company and helping guide its future.”

With a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Eastern Kentucky University and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, Willis is well-equipped to lead Valvoline's financial strategies.

Founded in 1866 and incorporated in 2022, Valvoline is recognized as a leader in preventive automotive maintenance, operating more than 2,000 franchised and company-operated service centers across the United States and Canada. The company specializes in fast, efficient vehicle services, offering over 28 million services annually. These range from 15-minute oil changes to various manufacturer-recommended maintenance services like tire rotations and wiper replacements.

Valvoline's commitment to service excellence is backed by nearly 11,000 team members dedicated to expanding the business, growing the retail network, and preparing for future vehicle advancements. With the new leadership and Willis at the helm of the company's financial division, Valvoline is poised for continued growth and innovation.

For those looking for more information on Valvoline and the services they offer, visit vioc.com.

This strategic appointment of Kevin Willis as CFO indicates Valvoline's commitment to sustained growth and operational excellence in the fast-paced automotive maintenance industry.