MSA Safety appoints new chief financial officer
Iain Hoey
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MSA Safety announces new leadership appointment
MSA Safety has announced that Julie A. Beck will become Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, effective 18 August 2025.
According to MSA Safety, Beck will succeed interim CFO Elyse Brody, who will return to her role as Executive Director, Global FP&A and Strategy.
The company stated that Beck most recently served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Terex Corporation, a global manufacturer of industrial equipment headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut.
MSA Safety said Terex has annual revenue of more than $5 billion and operates across more than 75 sites worldwide.
It added that Beck joined Terex in 2021 and directed financial strategies and transformation initiatives that, according to the company, helped mitigate inflation and supply chain disruption impacts.
Career history and prior roles
MSA Safety stated that during Beck’s time at Terex, she oversaw measures that the company said contributed to sales growth and improvements in earnings per share and cash flow.
Before joining Terex, Beck was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Nova Chemicals Inc., a petrochemicals producer with revenues of approximately $4 billion.
She also served as Global Vice President of Supply Chain, Operational Excellence and Quality for Joy Global Inc.
MSA Safety said Beck additionally held the role of Chief Financial Officer for a large Joy Global subsidiary.
The company added that Beck has substantial public company board and audit committee experience.
CEO comments on the appointment
Steve Blanco, MSA Safety President and Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are delighted to have Julie join our executive leadership team.
“Julie brings to MSA an exceptional skill set of global financial experience, with expertise in M&A, managing inflation and price/cost dynamics, and implementing financial and operational infrastructures that support growth.
“Julie also has broad experience in directing financial, strategy and business transformation initiatives.
“This includes overseeing several significant acquisitions across multibillion-dollar organisations.”
Professional achievements and expertise
According to MSA Safety, Beck’s work has included leadership on acquisitions, financial performance improvement and strategic growth projects.
The company said her background spans both operational and financial leadership, with a focus on corporate transformation.
Blanco added: “In addition to her operations and financial expertise, Julie exemplifies strong, purpose-driven leadership with a deep commitment to people and performance.
“She is deeply committed to cultivating a high-performance culture built on high ethical standards, personal responsibility and a drive for continuous improvement.”
Education and professional qualifications
MSA Safety stated that Beck is a registered Certified Public Accountant.
The company said she holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, graduating with distinction.
Beck serves on the Executive Advisory Board of the University of Wisconsin School of Business.
According to MSA Safety, she has a long history of serving on nonprofit boards.
Relevance for fire and safety professionals
The appointment of a new chief financial officer at MSA Safety is relevant to fire and safety professionals because the company is a major supplier of protective equipment and safety technologies used across the sector.
Leadership changes at the executive level can influence company strategy, product investment, and long-term market priorities.
Financial leadership may also affect resource allocation towards research, development and partnerships that directly impact the availability and advancement of safety products.
MSA Safety appoints new chief financial officer: Summary
MSA Safety has announced the appointment of Julie A. Beck as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, effective 18 August 2025.
Beck will succeed interim CFO Elyse Brody, who will return to her role as Executive Director, Global FP&A and Strategy.
Beck previously served as CFO at Terex Corporation, where she led financial strategies and transformation initiatives.
She also held senior roles at Nova Chemicals and Joy Global, and has public company board and audit committee experience.
Beck is a registered CPA and holds a degree in accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
She serves on the Executive Advisory Board of the University of Wisconsin School of Business and has nonprofit board experience.