RYE BROOK, N.Y. (March 8, 2016) – Xylem Inc. announced that Mark Rajkowski has been appointed senior vice president and chief financial officer (CFO). Reporting to Xylem President and Chief Executive Officer Patrick Decker, Rajkowski will lead the company’s global finance organization. He most recently served as a strategic adviser to WestRock Company, a global packaging and specialty chemicals company that was formed last year following the merger of MeadWestvaco and RockTenn. Rajkowski will be based at Xylem’s headquarters in Rye Brook, New York.
“Strong financial leadership is a key element to successfully executing our strategic growth priorities at Xylem,” Decker said. “Mark brings more than three decades of financial expertise and global leadership to the company. He has built an impressive track record of achievements, including central roles in leading transformational changes in global organizations and creating substantial shareholder value. He will be a strong addition to our senior leadership team, and I look forward to his contributions as we move to accelerate Xylem’s growth and further enhance our operational execution.”
Shashank Patel, who has served as Interim CFO of Xylem since July 2015, will work closely with Rajkowski to ensure a smooth transition. Then he will assume a new, expanded role in the finance organization to be announced shortly.
“Global water challenges are increasing in both scope and scale, and Xylem is well positioned to contribute to the solutions,” Rajkowski said. “I am very pleased to be joining a company with a clear mission, a strong growth plan and significant value creation opportunities.”
Rajkowski, 57, has been serving as a strategic adviser to WestRock Company and previously served as CFO for MeadWestvaco, a global packaging and specialty chemicals producer that formerly was traded on the New York Stock Exchange. In that role, he led all areas of finance, strategy, corporate development, IT and shared services for 11 years and played a key role in executing the company’s 2015 merger with RockTenn and the subsequent formation of WestRock. Before joining MeadWestvaco in 2004, Rajkowski worked at Eastman Kodak Company, where he progressed through several senior financial and operating roles, including general manager, worldwide operations for the Digital and Film Imaging Systems Group. He began his career at PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP, where he last served as managing partner for the Upstate New York Technology Group and Partner, Audit and Business Advisory Services. Rajkowski also serves as a member of the board of directors of ACCO Brands, one of the world's largest suppliers of branded school and office products.
Rajkowski earned his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.