Alex Molinaroli

Alex Adrian Molinaroli (born October 7, 1959) is an American businessman who was the chief executive officer of Johnson Controls from 2013 to 2017.

Early life and education
Molinaroli was born October 7, 1959, in Parkersburg, WV. At an early age his family relocated to Charleston, SC for his father’s work.

He attended primary and secondary parochial schools and graduated from Bishop England High School in 1978.

He received a NROTC Scholarship to attend the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC and was accepted into the school’s prestigious Honors College. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering in 1983

Later in life he continued his formal education while still working, earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL.

Career
Molinaroli went to work for Johnson Controls in 1983. He held increasing levels of responsibility for controls systems and services sales and operations, and was Vice President and General Manager for North America Systems and General Manager for the Middle East businesses for Building Efficiency Division.

In January 2007, Molinaroli was President of Johnson Controls Power Solutions Battery. As president of Power Solutions, he oversaw a renaissance within the company’s battery business. During this timeframe, the profitability and topline growth dramatically improved – driven by investments in China, the development of advanced battery technologies and vertical integration into battery recycling and separator technologies.

In January 2013, Molinaroli transitioned to the Johnson Controls corporate office as Vice Chairman and subsequently replaced Steve Roell as Chairman and CEO.

As CEO of Johnson Controls, Alex Molinaroli led the company through significant transformation that continues today. In 2013, Molinaroli signalled that JCI would "reduce its automotive footprint." During the next two years, JCI sold off portions of the automotive business or spun divisions into new companies. The garage door unit was sold to Gentex with the remaining electronics sold to Visteon, overhead and visors to a new company. Seating was spun out to become Adient. The remaining interior plastic division was sold to YanFeng.[3] In 2016, Johnson Controls International plc was formed through a merger with Tyco International.

Molinaroli retired from Johnson Controls in September 2017.

Other
Molinaroli is a former board member of Johnson Controls International, The National Center for the Arts and Technology, The Electrification Coalition, Interstate Battery, Battery Council International, Milwaukee School of Engineering, Greater Milwaukee Committee and Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County United Way (as Co-Campaign Chair in 2015-2016).

Molinaroli is engaged in early stage investments and is an executive advisor for various startup and technology companies.

Alex is married to Kristin Molinaroli and has five adult children. He currently resides in Marathon, FL.

On June 6, 2024, the University of South Carolina changed the name of their College of Engineering and Computing to the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing.