IDEX Corp (IEX.US) has appointed Sean Gillen as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, addressing a major investor concern as the industrial technology firm fills a position left vacant earlier this year. Gillen will join the company on January 5, bringing seven years of CFO experience from aviation services provider AAR Corp (AIR.US).

The departure of IDEX’s previous CFO in May triggered a prolonged hiring process, weighing on investor sentiment. BNP Paribas analyst Andrew Buscaglia noted the significance of the timing of this hire. According to the bank’s analysis, during Gillen’s tenure at AAR, earnings per share grew at a compound annual rate of approximately 9%, while adjusted EBITDA margins expanded from 8% to around 12%.

Gillen successfully navigated AAR through turbulence in the aircraft aftermarket sector, including the pandemic-induced downturn and persistent supply chain disruptions. He played a pivotal role in multiple acquisitions, broadening the company’s portfolio—such as the $78 million purchase of HAECO’s parts division, the $146 million acquisition of ADI’s U.S. distributor, and the $120 million deal for Trax. His largest transaction at AAR was the $725 million acquisition of Triumph Product Support, which required carefully structured debt financing to maintain balance sheet stability.

Buscaglia emphasized that Gillen’s expertise in portfolio management, M&A, and capital allocation aligns closely with IDEX’s current priorities, particularly as capital deployment remains a focal point for investors. Prior to AAR, Gillen served as Vice President and Treasurer at building materials manufacturer USG Corporation. Earlier in his career, he was a Vice President in Goldman Sachs’ Global Industrials Investment Banking division, specializing in M&A, corporate spin-offs, shareholder activism, and capital return programs.