Chairman and CEO
Zurn Elkay | Milwaukee
Todd Adams has led Zurn Elkay, a Milwaukee-based supplier of clean water solutions for drinking water, hygiene and sustainable water management, since 2009. He was elected board chair in 2020. Adams joined the company, then Rexnord Corp., in 2004 as vice president, treasurer and controller, and later became senior vice president and chief financial officer. In 2007, he spearheaded the acquisition of Zurn Industries and the creation of the company’s Water Management Platform, which nearly doubled the size of the business and laid the groundwork for the company’s 2021 separation from Rexnord to become Zurn Water Solutions. Under his leadership, the company merged with Elkay Manufacturing Co. in 2022 to become Zurn Elkay.
Education: Bachelor’s, Eastern Illinois University
Company success in the past 12 months: “Navigating the tariff situation has been a major achievement. Managing all the changes and complexities – from supply chain adjustments to cost impacts – required close collaboration across teams, careful planning and daily management. I couldn’t be more thankful for and complimentary of our internal team and their efforts.”
Qualities of a successful business leader: “Curiosity drives innovation and challenges the status quo. It fuels engagement and drives organizations to learn and adapt.”
Go-to dish at home: “Greek chicken. It’s simple, flavorful and always a hit at my house. We like to garden so having fresh herbs at the ready makes it even better. There’s something satisfying about clipping oregano or rosemary and adding it straight to the dish.”
What’s quintessentially Wisconsin: “Tailgating in Green Bay, hands down. There’s nothing quite like feeling the energy of Lambeau Field before you even enter the stadium. It’s not just football; it’s community, tradition and a celebration of everything Wisconsin. Go Pack Go!”
2024 Wisconsin 275 Profile
Chairman and CEO
Zurn Elkay Water Solutions | Milwaukee
Todd Adams leads Zurn Elkay, a Milwaukee-based supplier of clean water solutions for drinking water, hygiene and sustainable water management. He was appointed chief executive officer in 2009 and elected chair of the board in 2020. Adams joined the company, then Rexnord Corp., in 2004 as vice president, treasurer and controller, and later became senior vice president and chief financial officer. In 2007, he spearheaded the acquisition of Zurn Industries and the creation of the company’s Water Management Platform, which nearly doubled the size of the business and laid the groundwork for the company’s 2021 separation from Rexnord to become Zurn Water Solutions, a pure-play water business. Under his leadership, the company merged with Elkay Manufacturing Co. in 2022 to become Zurn Elkay.
Previously, Adams held senior financial roles with The Boeing Company, APW Ltd., Applied Power and IDEX.
Adams is a member of the board of directors of Badger Meter Inc., is chair of Marquette University’s board of trustees and serves on the boards of Children’s Wisconsin and Hunger Task Force.
Education: Bachelor’s, Eastern Illinois University; Certified Public Accountant
2022 Wisconsin 275 Profile
Manufacturing
Chairman and CEO
Zurn Elkay Water Solutions
Milwaukee
Todd Adams is chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Zurn Elkay Water Solutions. With roughly 2,600 employees, Milwaukee-based Zurn Elkay manufactures and markets water control and safety products for clients in the health care, hospitality, education, retail, residential and office markets.
This year, the company completed its merger with Elkay Manufacturing Co. to become Zurn Elkay, a deal valued at $1.5 billion. Adams has said the company is confident in its ability to deliver on “$50 million of synergy opportunities” as a result of the merger.
Adams joined the business, then Rexnord Corp., in 2004. He was appointed CEO in 2009 and chairman of the board in 2020. Previously, Adams was president of the water management platform and senior vice president and chief financial officer at Rexnord. Earlier, he held senior financial roles with The Boeing Company, APW Ltd., Applied Power and IDEX.
He sits on the board of trustees at the Manufacturers Alliance as well as the boards of Badger Meter Inc., Children’s Wisconsin and Hunger Task Force. Adams was also elected to the Marquette University board of trustees in 2015 and was elected vice chair in 2020; he’s also served as a member of the Marquette University President’s Society.
Education: Bachelor’s, Eastern Illinois University; Certified Public Accountant
