Black Black EMBA '13, BAC MemberDirector of Operations - East Zone

PPG Architectural Coating

Jeff Black, the Director of Operations - East Zone with PPG Architectural Coating, is a highly motivated and competitive veteran of the United States Army with more than 15 years of experience in operational and sales management. He seeks out challenges and gains inspiration from developing and coaching team members.

Black served for four years in the United States Army, serving the majority of his career based in Hanau, Germany and ending his service in Fort Hood, Texas. He was an Automated Logistical Specialist and earned the rank of E5 within three years of service. Black won several non-commission officer boards at a V Corps level. Through his military career, he was able to learn the importance of managing a diverse group of team members as well as performing in a high-pressured atmosphere.

When his committed term of duty was up in 2002, Black moved back to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and accepted a position with Genco Distribution. He moved into a supervisor position in a return distribution center in Columbus, Ohio, where he spent the next two years learning the logistical return business for Genco's partner, Sears. He supervised 30 employees both full time and part time with a focus on all operational aspects of the warehouse.

Given the opportunity to learn the distribution side of the business, Black accepted an Assistant Operations Manager position in the distribution center with Genco's partner Sears. In this role, he supervised 92 employees and nine supervisors across three shifts, with direct responsibility for the operational aspect of the distribution center. While in this role, he created the safety program to provide compliance to all OSHA standards.

In an effort to become well-rounded in the business industry, he joined the Fastenal team in 2005 and consistently progressed through the Assistant General Manager and General Manager positions to the role of District Manager in 2008. Black managed an 18 million dollar business, encompassing the sales and operations of 10 stores and 64 sales employees, with direct responsibility for 6 million in assets. In addition, he had full P&L responsibility and handled all recruitment and personnel management. He was consistently ranked in the upper quartile of Fastenal's performance matrix.

Black joined PPG in November of 2015. He is responsible for 130 company owned stores with annual sales of 120 million and has full P&L responsibility.

He resides in Saxonburg, Pennsylvania, with his wife Jill and son Aden and enjoys all outdoor activities.

While working at Fastenal, Black earned his undergraduate degree from LaRoche College and his EMBA from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. In addition, he currently sits on the advisory board at Slippery Rock University and the IUP Career and Professional Development Center Advisory Board.

Updated 2016