GLENVIEW, IL -- The Illinois Tool Works (ITW) board of directors has elected two longtime executives to the top positions at the company. David Speer was named chairman and Thomas Hansen was named vice chairman.

Speer has been with the company for 28 years. He became president in 2004 as part of a senior management transition plan announced at that time. He was elected chief executive officer in 2005. Speer has held a variety of selling, marketing and senior management responsibilities during his ITW career. As chairman and chief executive officer, Speer succeeds W. James Farrell, who retired today from his position of chairman after 41 years with ITW.

Speer graduated from Iowa State University in 1973, earning a B.S. degree in Industrial Engineering. In 1977, he received a Masters in Management Degree (MBA) from the Kellogg School of Business, Northwestern University.

Hansen, 57, has been with the company for 26 years. He has served in a variety of senior management positions with the company, including oversight of the worldwide construction, automotive, industrial plastics and polymers and fluids businesses. As vice chairman, he will retain operational responsibilities for these business units.

Hansen graduated from Northern Illinois State University in 1971 with a B.S. degree in Marketing, and received a Masters of Arts in Business Administration from Governors State University in 1978.

For more information about ITW, go to: http://www.itw.com.

_______________________________________

Click here to view the rest of today's headlines.