PITTSBURGH – PPG Industries has announced several executive assignments, effective Aug. 1, 2010.

J. Rich Alexander, Senior Vice President, Performance Coatings, has been elected Executive Vice President and joins PPG’s Executive Committee.

Pierre-Marie De Leener, Senior Vice President, Architectural Coatings EMEA, and President, PPG Europe, has been elected Executive Vice President and also will join PPG’s Executive Committee. In addition, De Leener will assume management responsibility for the company’s information technology function. Werner Baer, Vice President, Information Technology, will report to De Leener.

Cynthia A. Niekamp, Vice President, Automotive Coatings, has been elected Senior Vice President and will join PPG’s Operating Committee.

Viktor R. Sekmakas, Vice President, Coatings, and President, PPG Asia/Pacific, has been elected Senior Vice President and will also join PPG’s Operating Committee. In addition, Sekmakas will assume responsibility for PPG’s packaging coatings business. Douglas Pegg, Vice President, Packaging Coatings, will report to Sekmakas.