Rheem Splits Tech Leadership, Appointing New CTO and Dedicated AI Transformation EVP

In a strategic move signaling a deeper commitment to technological advancement, manufacturing company Rheem announced on October 8, 2026, a significant restructuring of its executive team. The company has appointed Eric Varton as its new Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, while simultaneously transitioning Alan Machuga, the former CTO, into the newly created role of Executive Vice President of Digital Strategy & AI Transformation. This dual-leadership structure underscores a deliberate strategy to accelerate growth by creating distinct executive mandates for both global product innovation and enterprise-wide artificial intelligence integration.

The appointments establish two parallel, high-level priorities within Rheem's long-term strategy. Varton will now lead the company's global research and development efforts, focusing on engineering and product development. Machuga, in his new capacity, will drive the company’s overarching digital strategy and the adoption of AI capabilities across all business operations. According to the company, this reorganization is designed to bring together engineering, technology, and digital functions to deliver greater value to its customers.

A Dual Approach to Technology Leadership

Rheem's decision to split its top technology role into two distinct executive positions reflects a sophisticated understanding of modern industrial challenges. The structure separates the responsibilities for product-centric engineering from the broader, process-oriented task of enterprise-wide digital transformation. This approach allows for dedicated, specialized leadership for two different but equally critical innovation pathways.

The new Chief Technology Officer role, filled by Varton, is focused on the tangible output of the company: its products. This involves overseeing global R&D, controls engineering, and program management to ensure consistency and excellence in what Rheem builds and sells. In contrast, Machuga's role as EVP of Digital Strategy & AI Transformation is focused on the company's internal processes and business model. His mandate is to embed digital tools and artificial intelligence across the organization to improve operations, enhance customer platforms, and create new value streams, building on a foundation he established in his prior role.

Executive	Title	Key Responsibilities
Eric Varton	Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer (CTO)	Leads global research and development, controls engineering, and the Program Management Office functions, enhancing collaboration and driving consistency in product development.
Alan Machuga	Executive Vice President, Digital Strategy & AI Transformation	Leads the company's enterprise digital strategy and the continued development and adoption of AI capabilities across the organization.

Rheem Splits Tech Leadership, Appointing New CTO and Dedicated AI Transformation EVP

A Dual Approach to Technology Leadership

Rheem's Dual Technology Leadership: Roles and Mandates

Eric Varton: Driving Global Product Innovation as CTO

Alan Machuga: Accelerating an Award-Winning Digital Strategy

Implications for Rheem's Future

Sources

Tags

Related articles

Before You Take the AI Recommendation: A Three-Part Judgment Test for the C-Suite

Five Due Diligence Areas Boards Must Probe Before Hiring a CISO

Choosing Between Augmentation and Autonomy: A C-Suite Framework for Human-AI Collaboration

Four Areas Where C-Suite Leaders Must Get Transparent About AI — Before Stakeholders Fill the Silence