Barnes Group shakes up C-suite; Hook named CEO, Dempsey tagged as executive vice chair

HBJ PHOTO | STEVE LASCHEVER Patrick Dempsey will step down as CEO in July and become executive vice chairman until he retires at the end of this year.

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By Skyler Frazer

Thomas J. Hook is taking over as president and CEO of Barnes Group, succeeding Patrick J. Dempsey who has held the position for almost a decade.

The Bristol-based manufacturer announced Tuesday that Hook, 59, is taking over for Dempsey effective July 14. Dempsey will transition to the newly-created position of executive vice chairman until he retires on Dec. 31.

Dempsey has been on a leave of absence since March 8 to address an immediate family member’s health, company officials said. He’s expected to continue to be on the company’s board of directors following his retirement later this year.

Julie K. Streich, who has been interim CEO since Dempsey began his leave of absence, will remain in that role through July 13, and then continue serving as senior vice president of finance and CFO.

Thomas J. Hook

Hook became a director at Barnes Group in 2016 and currently serves on the audit and corporate governance committees. Following his appointment as CEO, Hook will step down as CEO and director of pharmaceutical manufacturer SaniSure Inc.

Hook has years of executive experience at several companies. He currently serves as a director of Q Holding Company, where he previously worked as CEO, and NeuroNexus, Inc. He is also a former president, CEO and COO of Integer and has held leadership positions at CTI Molecular Imaging and General Electric Medical Systems.

Dempsey took over as head of the company in 2013 following the retirement of former chief executive Gregory F. Milzcik, who had been CEO since 2006.

Dempsey first joined Barnes in 2000 after leaving Pratt & Whitney.