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MTI Baths CEO Kath Adams to Retire

June 27, 2022
Kathy Adams
Kath Adams, Retiring CEO of MTI Baths
Kath Adams

MTI Baths (MTI) CEO Kath Adams has announced plans for retirement after more than three decades of leadership. MTI credits Adams with a large part of their corporate culture that rewards creativity, flexibility and passion.

With a Master of Professional Accounting degree from Georgia State University, Adams joined MTI Whirlpools in 1994 as CFO after having served as CPA for the company’s founder J.C. Henry. She was appointed president in 1998 and led an employee rally in 2001 to secure the necessary funding to purchase the company when Mr. Henry announced his plans to retire. During her years as president, MTI tripled its sales of tubs and established its reputation as an industry leader. In the early 2000’s, Kathy’s insight and keen intuition saw the industry changing to a design-driven market where quality, innovation and designs were paramount. This designer focus was pivotal as it evolved the company into the luxury high-end bathing sector.

Adams recognized that a company’s employees are its more valuable assets and an integral part of its success. While innovative designs and technology are important, products that are handcrafted and made to order require keeping employees motivated and invested in the success of the company. This viewpoint earned MTI repeated recognition as a Top Workplace by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. This passion has led to generations of family employees, including many who have been with the company for decades.

Adams also showed appreciation to customers. She often told them, “Each of us values our job and we understand that without you, our customers, there would be no job.” Adams also had a talent for studying big picture trends and finding ways to build on the opportunities they provided. She also had a willingness to acknowledge weaknesses and finding ways to overcome them. She constantly sought ways to improve each sector of the business process.

Perhaps the greatest contribution made by Adams has been her focus on leadership development. Adams defined an MTI leader as one who “helps those around him/her to become successful.”

This year MTI became a division of The Engineered Stone Group, a global leader in engineered stone products. Adams’ vision in helping to secure this alliance has positioned MTI for exciting growth in the future. This strategic decision is just one part of the enduring legacy that Adams leaves behind at MTI. Her contributions and impact will continue to be a vital part of MTI for decades to come.

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