A major leadership change is coming to Mohawk Industries, one of Northwest Georgia’s largest manufacturers and a longtime employer in Chattooga County, as the company prepares for a new chief executive officer this fall.

Jeffrey S. Lorberbaum, who has served as Mohawk’s CEO for 25 years, will retire from that position on September 30, 2026. He will be succeeded by current Mohawk President and Chief Operating Officer Paul F. De Cock.

Lorberbaum will not be leaving Mohawk entirely. He will remain chairman of the company’s Board of Directors, a position he has held since 2004.

The transition is noteworthy across Northwest Georgia, where Calhoun-based Mohawk has been a major part of the region’s manufacturing economy for decades. The company also maintains a significant operation in Summerville, including its recycling and extrusion facilities.

Lorberbaum’s Career Spans 50 Years

Lorberbaum’s association with the flooring industry and the company stretches back approximately half a century.

He joined Aladdin Mills in 1976 and eventually became its president and CEO. Mohawk acquired Aladdin in 1994, and Lorberbaum subsequently served as Mohawk’s president and chief operating officer before becoming CEO in January 2001.

During Lorberbaum’s tenure, Mohawk expanded dramatically through both investments in its existing operations and acquisitions around the world.

Today, Mohawk describes itself as the world’s largest flooring manufacturer, with operations and brands extending well beyond the carpet business traditionally associated with Northwest Georgia.

Lorberbaum said it had been an honor to lead the company for the past 25 years and expressed confidence in De Cock’s ability to lead Mohawk into its next chapter. Lorberbaum said he plans to work closely with the new CEO and management team from his position as chairman.

Who Is Paul De Cock?

De Cock, 53, is not an outsider being brought in to run Mohawk.

He has been associated with the company for more than two decades and has extensive experience with both Mohawk’s North American and international businesses.

De Cock originally joined Unilin Group in 1997. Mohawk acquired Unilin in 2005, bringing De Cock into the Mohawk organization.

He subsequently served as President of Unilin North America from 2006 through 2008, helping integrate the business into Mohawk following the acquisition.

From 2008 until 2018, De Cock served as President of Unilin Flooring, overseeing products including laminate, wood, luxury vinyl tile and carpet outside North America.

In November 2018, he became President of Mohawk’s Flooring North America segment, a position he held until February 2025. At that point, Mohawk promoted him to President and Chief Operating Officer as part of the company’s succession planning process.

He has also served since February of this year as interim president of Mohawk’s Flooring Rest of the World business.

Transition Comes During A Challenging Flooring Market

De Cock will take over at a significant time for Mohawk and the flooring industry.

Although Mohawk reported stronger financial results during the second quarter of 2026, company officials say flooring market conditions remain challenging.

Mohawk has pointed to a sluggish housing market, with home resales near multi-decade lows and new-home construction remaining soft. Commercial flooring has performed better than residential products, according to the company.

Despite those challenges, Mohawk reported approximately $3 billion in second-quarter sales, an increase of about 6.8 percent compared with the same quarter last year. Net earnings increased to approximately $196 million, compared with $147 million during the second quarter of 2025.

De Cock said his priorities as CEO will include generating momentum, finding new opportunities for growth and innovation and positioning Mohawk for its next stage of development.

Mohawk Remains Important To Chattooga County

While the leadership transition will take place at the corporate level, it is of particular local interest because of Mohawk’s longstanding manufacturing presence in Summerville and Chattooga County.

The Summerville operation has played an important role in Mohawk’s polyester recycling and fiber-production system, processing post-consumer plastic bottles into material that can ultimately be used in flooring products.

The local connection makes a change at the top of Mohawk more than simply corporate news for Northwest Georgia. Decisions made by the company’s leadership can ultimately influence manufacturing investment, employment and operations throughout the region.

For now, the transition appears designed to provide continuity rather than a dramatic break with the company’s existing leadership. De Cock is a longtime Mohawk executive who has already overseen its North American flooring business and currently serves as president and COO, while Lorberbaum will remain involved as board chairman.

The change becomes official September 30, when Paul De Cock becomes chief executive officer and Jeffrey Lorberbaum concludes a 25-year run as Mohawk’s CEO and a career with the company and its predecessor stretching back approximately 50 years.