Our Tribe's Leaders

As chairman and CEO of WD-40 Company, Garry Ridge is responsible for developing and implementing high-level strategies, all operations, and the oversight of all relationships and partnerships for the company.

Garry is passionate about learning and empowering the organizational culture he has helped establish at WD-40 Company. His vision and leadership have positively impacted the WD-40 Company in both measurable and immeasurable ways.

Garry joined WD-40 Company in 1987 and has held various management positions in the company, including executive vice president and chief operating officer, and vice president of international. He has worked directly with WD-40 Company in over 50 countries. In 1997, he was appointed president and chief executive officer of WD-40 Company.  He has worked directly with WD-40 Company in over 70 countries.

Garry is an adjunct professor at the University of San Diego where he teaches the principles and practices of corporate culture in the Master of Science in Executive Leadership program.  In 2009, he co-authored a book with Ken Blanchard outlining his effective leadership techniques, titled “Helping People Win at Work: A Business Philosophy called ‘Don’t Mark My Paper, Help Me Get an A.’ ”

A native of Australia, Garry holds a certificate in Modern Retailing and wholesale distribution and a Master of Science in Executive Leadership from the University of San Diego.

As president and chief operating officer of WD-40 Company, Steve is responsible for the day-to-day operations of all three of the company’s operating segments as well as the global coherency of its brand and digital strategies.

Steve has been with the company since 1991 and most recently held the role of division president, Americas and chief brand officer. Prior to that role, he held various management positions with the company, including European commercial director, European sales director, director of continental Europe, country manager Germany and, international area manager.

Prior to joining WD-40 Company, Steve worked as an export sales executive at Temco, BICC Electronics where he managed Swiss, German and Austrian regions.

Steve is a native of the United Kingdom. He has a bachelor’s degree in both French and German and a master’s degree from the London Business School.

As vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary, Rich has global responsibility for the company’s legal affairs and corporate governance. He also serves as the company’s chief compliance officer.

Prior to joining WD-40 Company in 2014, Rich practiced law in San Diego for 32 years. He provided corporate and business counsel to the company for all of those years. In 1981, he joined Harmsen Carpenter Sidell & Olson, APC, which combined with Gordon & Rees LLP in 2000. At Gordon & Rees, Rich served as co-chair of the firm’s business practice group.

Currently, Rich serves as chair of the board of directors of Educational Enrichment Systems, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to providing state-funded and affordable quality early childhood education and development programs in San Diego County.

Rich received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, and his Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics from Colby College.

As vice president, global digital development, Ms. Fournier is responsible for oversight of the company’s global digital transformation.

Alice joined WD-40 Company in 2020 as the company’s chief digital advisor and was appointed as to her role of vice president, global digital development in 2021. Prior to joining WD-40 Company, Alice worked as the senior vice president of digital commerce for Geometry Global from 2019 – 2020 and as a vice president of eCommerce and omnichannel for Kantar from 2017 to 2019. Alice is growth-minded strategic leader with deep expertise leading teams through the changes driven by digital transformation.

Alice received her bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Affairs from Université du Quebec a Montreal.

As the managing director of WD-40 Company’s Asia-Pacific segment, Geoff is responsible for overseeing all operations throughout the Pacific Rim, Asia and Australia. Geoff also serves as a board member of WD-40 Company (Australia) Pty. Ltd.

Geoff joined the company in 1996 and assumed the role of managing director in 1997. He was responsible for overseeing the opening of the Company’s subsidiary in China in 2006. He lived in Shanghai for more than three years before returning to Sydney, Australia in 2009.

Prior to joining WD-40 Company, Geoff spent 16 years with Columbia Pelikan in various management positions within the organization.

Geoff was educated in Sydney at the Macquarie Graduate School of Management.

As vice president, global organization development, Mr. Lindeman is responsible for global oversight of the human resources function.

Jeff has been with WD-40 Company since 2017 and has held various management positions including, director of human resources, information technology, supply chain and finance within the Company’s EIMEA segment. Prior to joining WD-40 Company, Jeff worked as the senior director of talent and engagement for San Diego International Airport from 2006 to 2016 and as a director of human resources at Pier 1 from 2000 to 2006.

Jeff received his Master of Science in Executive Leadership from the University of San Diego and his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Walden University. He maintains a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) credential and serves on the SHRM Certification Commission, which oversees credentialing of human resources professionals around the world.

As the managing director of WD-40 Company’s EMEA segment, Bill is responsible for overseeing all operations throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Bill joined WD-40 Company in 1993 and has held various management positions, including international marketing manager and director of operations. In these roles, Bill was responsible for overseeing the opening of the company’s Malaysian office and managing the Company’s Asian regional office in Kuala Lumpur. In 1996, Bill moved to the United Kingdom to assume the role of managing director.

Prior to joining WD-40 Company, Bill was with Dow Corning for nearly ten years in various sales and marketing management roles throughout Asia.

Bill holds a Bachelor of Science in chemistry and mathematics. His postgraduate studies include marketing at Monash University and management at the University of Auckland, New Zealand.

As the division president of WD-40 Company’s Americas segment, Patricia is responsible for overseeing all operations throughout the United States, Canada and Latin America.

Patricia has been with WD-40 Company since 2005 and has held various management positions including, senior vice president and general manager of United States, senior vice president marketing and innovation of the Americas, and vice president Americas innovation development group.

Prior to joining WD-40 Company, Patricia worked in brand management at ConAgra Foods from2000 to 2005, International Home Foods from 1997 to 2000 and Diageo from 1995 to 1998. She currently serves on the board of advisors for the Cremo Company.

Patricia received her Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from King’s College and her Master of Science in Executive Leadership from the University of San Diego.

As vice president, corporate controller and principal accounting officer, Ms. Partlo is responsible for directing and overseeing the company’s global accounting, external financial reporting and compliance functions and serves as the primary technical lead for all such functions. In addition, Ms. Partlo also has oversight responsibilities for the investor relations and corporate communications functions for WD-40 Company.
Rae Ann joined WD-40 Company in January 2010 as the director of accounting and financial reporting and has held various financial leadership positions within the organization, including corporate controller. She assumed the role of vice president, corporate controller and principal accounting officer in December 2019.

Prior to joining WD-40 Company, Rae Ann served in a variety of financial positions with semiconductor and communications companies in the San Diego area, including as vice president, corporate controller and chief accounting officer for Cymer, Inc.

Rae Ann has a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from San Diego State University.

As vice president, finance, treasurer and chief financial officer, Jay is responsible for overseeing the company’s financial operations, including the management of accounting, treasury, financial planning and reporting, investor relations and internal audit.

Jay joined WD-40 in December 1997 as manager, financial services and has held various financial leadership positions within the organization, including controller and vice president finance/controller. He assumed the role of chief financial officer in 2008.

Prior to joining WD-40 Company, Jay served in a variety of positions, including consulting roles in the tax practice of the public accounting firm Price Waterhouse LLP, now known as PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, from 1991 to 1997.

Jay has a Master of Science in Accountancy from San Diego State University and a Master of Science in Executive Leadership from the University of San Diego. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of California at Riverside.