Honeywell Taps Industrial Veteran for Board Ahead of Landmark Split

CHARLOTTE, NC – June 01, 2026 – In a move that speaks volumes about its future direction, Honeywell today appointed industrial manufacturing veteran Jillian (Jill) Evanko to its Board of Directors. The appointment is far more than a routine shuffle; it's a calculated chess move made just weeks before the conglomerate executes the landmark spin-off of its massive aerospace division, setting the stage for a new, more focused industrial technology powerhouse.

Evanko, the current CEO of automation solutions provider Duravant, LLC, joins Honeywell's board and its critical Audit Committee effective immediately. Her arrival is a clear signal to markets and investors about where the new, leaner Honeywell is placing its bets: on automation, operational excellence, and the software-driven future of industry. The move also represents a unique homecoming for Evanko, who began her career in Honeywell's own corporate finance organization over two decades ago.

A Board Seat for a New Era

The timing of Evanko's appointment is anything but coincidental. On June 29, 2026, Honeywell is scheduled to complete the separation of its aerospace business, which will become a new, publicly traded entity called Honeywell Aerospace (HONA). The remaining company, to be rebranded as Honeywell Technologies (HON), will sharpen its focus on its Building Automation, Industrial Automation, and Process Technology segments.

This new Honeywell Technologies is positioning itself to lead what it calls the transition from automation to autonomy. Central to this strategy are two key pillars: the Honeywell Accelerator operating system, a proprietary framework for driving efficiency and operational excellence, and the Honeywell Forge platform, an AI-powered software suite designed to optimize performance across industrial enterprises. Evanko's career has been a masterclass in exactly these domains.

Her nearly decade-long tenure at Chart Industries, Inc., where she rose from CFO to President and CEO, was marked by strategic acquisitions and a deep focus on operational efficiency that dramatically grew the company's market capitalization. Her expertise is seen as a direct match for the challenges and opportunities facing the post-spin-off Honeywell.

"Jill's extensive leadership experience across the industrial and manufacturing sectors combined with her deep expertise in advanced automation and operational excellence will be highly valuable to our Board in this next chapter," said Vimal Kapur, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Honeywell. "In addition to bringing a proven track record of unlocking value and accelerating innovation, Jill also has direct knowledge of our business from her time in our corporate finance organization that will enable her to bring a distinct perspective to the Board."

The Full-Circle Journey of an Industrial Leader

Evanko’s return to Honeywell’s boardroom marks the culmination of a remarkable career arc. After her initial role within the company, she built a formidable resume across the industrial landscape, holding key financial and operational executive positions at Dover Corporation and Truck-Lite Co., LLC.

Her leadership at Chart Industries, a global manufacturer of equipment for the clean energy and industrial gas markets, is particularly noteworthy. As CEO, she steered the company through a period of significant growth, expanding its portfolio through strategic moves like the 2019 acquisition of Howden Roots and expanding its footprint in the burgeoning clean energy space, with a focus on hydrogen and LNG technologies. Under her guidance, Chart Industries reported record orders and sales in 2022, demonstrating a keen ability to execute on growth objectives in dynamic markets. This track record of transforming an industrial manufacturer into a high-growth, technology-focused leader is precisely the experience Honeywell's board sought.

Now at the helm of Duravant, a global provider of engineered equipment and automation solutions, Evanko remains at the forefront of the industrial automation trend. Her journey from an internal finance professional to a leader of major industrial companies, and now back to Honeywell as a board member, provides a rare combination of deep institutional knowledge and broad external perspective.

Governance as a Cornerstone of Transformation

Beyond her strategic fit, Evanko's appointment sends a strong message about corporate governance. Placing a seasoned financial expert with prior CFO experience on the Audit Committee during a massive corporate restructuring is a move designed to assure shareholders and bolster stability. Spin-offs are notoriously complex, involving the intricate separation of assets, liabilities, and financial reporting systems.

The Audit Committee will play a pivotal role in overseeing this process, ensuring the integrity of financial statements for both Honeywell Technologies and the new Honeywell Aerospace. An independent director like Evanko, with a deep understanding of financial controls and risk management in an industrial context, is crucial for navigating this transition smoothly and protecting shareholder interests. Her appointment reinforces the board's commitment to robust oversight as it fundamentally reshapes the company's structure and strategy.

Navigating the Industrial Shift to Autonomy

With the spin-off, Honeywell is following a path trod by other industrial giants like General Electric, which broke itself into three more focused companies to unlock shareholder value. The challenge for the new Honeywell Technologies will be to demonstrate that its focused portfolio can generate sustained growth and profitability, compensating for the loss of the massive and historically stable aerospace business, which posted $17.4 billion in net sales last year.

The success of this new chapter hinges on the Honeywell Forge platform. Analysts note that the company's ability to scale this software business and convince a traditionally conservative industrial customer base to adopt its recurring-revenue model will be a key determinant of its long-term success. The platform's open architecture and focus on delivering measurable economic outcomes are considered significant advantages.

By bringing Jill Evanko into its inner circle, Honeywell is not just adding a director; it is adding a guide with a map of the territory it intends to conquer. Her experience in driving growth, managing complex operations, and capitalizing on the shift toward clean energy and automation aligns perfectly with the strategic megatrends Honeywell Technologies is built to address. As the company prepares to host investor days for both new entities in the coming weeks, all eyes will be on how this new leadership structure translates its vision into a compelling growth story for the industrial age of tomorrow.