PPG is a classic Pittsburgh company, which is why it’s fitting that a Pittsburgh native is at the helm of this iconic hometown brand. Meet Baldwin High School alumnus Tim Knavish. Getting his start in Baldwin-Whitehall School District as a youngster, Knavish dove in to make friends still in his circle today. When his time at Baldwin High School came to a close, he graduated in 1983, and attended the University of Pittsburgh. There he earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, following it up with a Master’s degree in Business Administration.
His career was off to a colorful start when he joined PPG Industries, another Pittsburgh institution. After rising through the ranks of the huge company, Knavish now holds the office of Chairman and CEO of PPG Industries. He oversees a wide swath of industries that utilize PPG’s corrosion-fighting treatments and specialized paints. Knavish characterizes his daily responsibilities as multifarious. “I don't have a typical day as they are all very different! I lead a Fortune 250 public company, with 43,000 employees operating in 50 countries. We are the world's largest producer of industrial coatings.”
The company’s size doesn’t intimidate him, and Knavish thrives on the continual challange. He shares, “I love working with different people from around the world and enjoy that our company services customers in many, many different industries. I am a very curious person and continuous learner which is what interested me in this company and field. Even at the age of 61 years old, I'm still excited to be learning something new every single day.” Delight in continuous learning has empowered Knavish. He remarks about his time in school, “BWSD prepared me well from an education standpoint…teaching me not only the materials, but more importantly, how to learn.” In addition, his school years were well-rounded, fostering strong friendships: “BWSD built my foundation of learning and of social skills. My closest friends are still people that I met in kindergarten in BWSD over 50 years ago!”
In that vein, he urges current students to engage with their peers and chase new opportunities. He advises, “Be balanced in how you spend your time in high school. Of course, your education is critical but socializing, athletics, community involvement and church involvement are all critical.” Knavish’s appreciation for his friendships made at BWSD is clear as a bell. He encourages students to “build a strong network of friends and mentors” to enrich their present and future endeavors. Leaving a few guiding words, Knavish proclaims “You can't do it alone!”
Mr. Knavish will be inducted as a Distinguished Highlander at the Distinguished Highlander Alumni Hall of Fame & Awards Gala on March 21, 2026.
