Published on:
August 12, 2024
By Kacey Card
Joe Liu is a distinguished senior executive renowned for his extensive global experience in leading businesses, functions, and geographic teams. Currently serving as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at James Hardie Building Products Inc., Joe plays a pivotal role in steering the company’s global R&D, innovation, and commercialization efforts. Reporting directly to the CEO, he is instrumental in shaping the company’s technological vision and strategy, fostering innovation, and driving sustainable growth in the $4 billion global enterprise.
Joe’s career spans over three decades, during which he has consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence and leadership across various high-profile roles. Before joining James Hardie, he held several senior positions at 3M. As Senior Vice President responsible for global R&D, commercialization, sustainability, and data science for the 3M Consumer Business Group, Joe championed the development of several new product platforms, generating significant new revenue. His leadership in this role was pivotal in enhancing commercialization effectiveness, advancing sustainability goals and digital transformation.
Joe’s tenure at 3M also included roles as Vice President and Managing Director for the Southeast Asia Region and Vice President of R&D for International Operations and the Asia Pacific region. His leadership in these positions led to significant business turnarounds and growth as well as enhanced R&D capabilities in key geographies, including transforming a declining $1B business in Southeast Asia Region into one of consistent growth with total of 20% revenue increase in three years.
His achievements extend beyond leadership impact to his earlier roles at various technology centers and business divisions within 3M, where he contributed to breakthrough R&D on multi-layer polymeric optical films and industry-changing applications, securing 27 issued US patents.
Joe holds dual Ph.D. degrees, one in Mechanics from the University of Minnesota and another in Thermal Energy and Power Engineering from Xi’an Jiaotong University, China. His academic background underscores his deep technical expertise and commitment to advancing scientific knowledge. And his industrial leadership experiences underscore his vision and ability to transform scientific knowledge into commercial and societal value through innovation.
In addition to his corporate roles, Joe is an active contributor to the broader scientific and engineering community. He was elected as a member of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) in 2023 and has served on various advisory boards, including KAUST (Saudi Arabia) and Aeon (Minnesota). His voluntary work with the Shanghai City Government and Singapore’s Economic Development Board highlights his dedication to shaping future economic and technological landscapes.
Joe’s leadership is characterized by his ability to drive results with urgency and agility, build organizational capabilities, and inspire teams with a clear vision for the future. His bilingual proficiency in Chinese and English, coupled with his extensive international exposure, positions him as a key player in global innovation and technology.
Character: Joe Liu exemplifies exceptional leadership and integrity, driven by a passion for innovation and global growth. His dedication to excellence and commitment to fostering capable teams and purpose driven culture underscores his reputation as a trusted and influential executive.
Knowledge: With extensive experience across diverse industries and regions, Joe possesses deep expertise in R&D, commercialization, and sustainability. His dual doctoral qualifications in mechanics and thermal energy and power engineering along with his election to NAE further solidify his profound technical and strategic understanding.
Strategic: Joe’s strategic acumen is demonstrated through his successful leadership in transforming global R&D operations and driving sustainable growth initiatives. His ability to develop and implement forward-thinking strategies has consistently resulted in substantial revenue growth and organizational advancement.
Communication: An effective communicator, Joe excels in articulating complex ideas and engaging with diverse stakeholders across the globe. His extensive public speaking experience and role in high-level advisory positions reflect his capability to convey vision and drive impactful collaboration.
