Scott D. Farmer, chairman and CEO of Cincinnati, Ohio, distributor Cintas Corporation (PPAI 303547, D12) is set to retire on May 31. Farmer will remain executive chairman, a role he has held since 2016. The company increased the number of directors from eight to nine and, after a comprehensive succession planning process, it unanimously elected Todd M. Schneider as CEO and president and a director of the company, effective June 1. He joined the Cintas Management Trainee program after college in 1989 and has held many positions during the past 32 years.

“Todd has an extensive knowledge of our company, fully supports and exemplifies our culture, and has served as executive vice president and COO since 2018, which will ensure a seamless transition,” says Farmer. “Todd is undeniably the right person to lead Cintas to even greater success in the future.”

Schneider adds, “I am honored that the board selected me as the next CEO of this great company and grateful for the opportunity to build on the long trajectory of success that Cintas has achieved under Scott Farmer’s leadership. With the proven leadership team currently in place, along with our exemplary employee-partners providing excellent care to our customers, I believe Cintas’ future is brighter than ever.”

About his upcoming departure, Farmer says, “It has been a great privilege to serve as Cintas’ CEO for 18 years. The company has grown and changed significantly over that time, but our core values and the culture that binds our employee-partners together has remained a steady foundation for the success Cintas has achieved. I am proud of our many collective accomplishments, including the innovative products and services we provide our customers as well as the tremendous dedication of our employee-partners. Our company is in a position of financial strength, with a strong and experienced leadership team executing a proven strategy that has allowed our continued success even through the recent pandemic, making this the appropriate time for an orderly transition.”

Cintas Lead Director Joe Scaminace says, “Scott has done a great job leading Cintas through years filled with challenges, change and opportunities, including the Great Recession and the recent pandemic as well as the integration of SAP technology across the organization at the same time the company was integrating its largest acquisition to date, G&K Services. The entire Cintas board of directors thanks Scott for his service to the company as CEO and we are grateful that he remains at the helm as executive chairman.”