Professional Role and Responsibilities
Matthew W. Fordenwalt serves as the Senior Vice President, Lifecycle Services at Rockwell Automation, a position he has held since June 1, 2023. In this executive role, he is responsible for leading the Lifecycle Services operating segment, which is one of three main operating divisions within the company. His leadership focuses on driving service-oriented growth initiatives that enhance customer operations through lifecycle management, digital transformation, and operational resilience.
He reports directly to Blake Moret, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Rockwell Automation, indicating his position within the company’s senior leadership structure.
Career Tenure and Progression
Fordenwalt has nearly 20 years of tenure with Rockwell Automation, having joined the company in August 2005. Prior to his current role, he held the position of Vice President and General Manager of the Systems and Solutions Business, another significant business segment within Rockwell Automation. His progression through senior roles highlights an extensive background in managing complex business units focused on system integration, solutions delivery, and lifecycle services.
Before joining Rockwell Automation, he accumulated managerial and entrepreneurial experience including ownership of MD Capital Holdings LLC (2002-2007) and management roles at companies such as W.W. Grainger and Accenture.
Educational Background
Matthew Fordenwalt holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Learning and Organizational Change from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Additionally, he earned an MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. His academic credentials support his expertise in organizational leadership, change management, and business strategy.
Industry Expertise and Thought Leadership
Fordenwalt draws from a broad base of industry experience spanning IT/OT (Information Technology/Operational Technology) convergence, service delivery, and industrial automation. He is recognized for addressing customer challenges holistically by integrating these disciplines.
He has been publicly active in positioning Rockwell Automation’s Lifecycle Services as a strategic growth area, particularly emphasizing digital transformation, cybersecurity, and operational resiliency. For example, he has underscored cybersecurity as a non-optional component in modern industrial operations during keynote presentations at major industry events such as Automation Fair 2024.
Strategic Initiatives and Market Focus
Under Fordenwalt’s leadership, Rockwell Automation has expanded its cybersecurity offerings, exemplified by the acquisition of Verve Industrial Protection in late 2023. This acquisition aims to bolster the security and resilience of manufacturing operations, reflecting an active strategy to deepen service capabilities amid evolving industrial threats.
Fordenwalt also highlights India as a crucial growth market for Lifecycle Services, noting that companies in this region are investing approximately 35% in smart and sustainable manufacturing initiatives. This positions Rockwell Automation’s Lifecycle Services segment to capitalize on emerging market demands and digital transformation trends worldwide.
Compensation and Stock Activity
Available records indicate that Matthew Fordenwalt has engaged in insider stock sales but no recent purchases, with share sales totaling approximately 1,962 shares for about $613,595 (as of July 2025) and additional smaller transactions amounting to sales of 295 shares for approximately $87,582 in May 2025. This reflects active participation in company equity management, consistent with his senior executive status.
Location
Matthew Fordenwalt is based in Hudson, Ohio, aligning with the geographic footprint of Rockwell Automation’s U.S. headquarters and operational centers.
This profile aggregates Matthew Fordenwalt’s executive responsibilities, career trajectory, strategic focus areas, and educational background, presenting a comprehensive view of his role as a senior leader shaping Rockwell Automation’s Lifecycle Services business.
