Carlos M. Cardoso was the CEO of Kennametal Inc. from January 2006 to December 2014. He took the lead after several roles within Kennametal, including Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer just a year before. Cardoso has a solid...

Carlos M. Cardoso was the CEO of Kennametal Inc. from January 2006 to December 2014. He took the lead after several roles within Kennametal, including Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer just a year before. Cardoso has a solid background in management, having also worked at Flowserve and Honeywell, where he gained valuable experience. He joined Kennametal when it was looking to innovate and expand its market position, and he focused heavily on aligning the company's performance with shareholder interests. His compensation was tied to performance metrics, showing a clear strategy to motivate results. Interestingly, despite being in a high-pressure role, he didn't always receive bonuses as performance targets weren't met in critical years. For instance, in 2013 and 2014, no bonuses were given due to falling short on company goals. This highlights the tough realities of corporate performance. He decided to retire in 2014, which marked the end of a significant chapter for Kennametal. Overall, Cardoso's time in leadership showed a real commitment to performance-based results and a practical approach to management.