American Vanguard Corporation (NYSE: AVD) has announced the retirement of Mort Erlich from its board of directors, effective upon the filing of the Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2023. Erlich has been a member of the board since October 2013 and has contributed significantly during his tenure, notably serving as the Chair of the Audit Committee and as a member of the Compensation Committee and Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee. Prior to joining American Vanguard, Erlich enjoyed a distinguished 34-year career with KPMG LLP.
To fill the vacancy left by Erlich’s retirement, the company has appointed Steven Macicek as the new Chair of its Audit Committee. Macicek brings with him a wealth of experience, having previously served as Global Client Services Partner at Ernst & Young. During his time at Ernst & Young, Macicek was involved in the firm’s Center for Board Matters, where he gained expertise in corporate governance and addressed various boardroom issues. His extensive background as an auditor and business advisor, coupled with his broad knowledge across accounting, finance, risk management, M&A, executive leadership, governance, and international business, positions him well to contribute to American Vanguard’s strategic objectives.
Eric G. Wintemute, Chairman and CEO of American Vanguard, expressed gratitude for Erlich’s outstanding service over the past 11 years, highlighting his expertise in accounting principles and literature, as well as his effective management of external and internal auditors. Wintemute also expressed excitement about Macicek joining the board, citing his experience and success at Ernst & Young as invaluable assets for guiding American Vanguard’s future development. Wintemute emphasized Macicek’s expertise in accounting, business advisory, and business transformation, which aligns with the company’s ongoing digital and structural transformation initiatives. The company looks forward to collaborating with Macicek to further enhance its performance and strategic direction.
