SAM Magazine—Salt Lake City, Utah, April 24, 2025—Doppelmayr USA promoted Keith Johns to the role of chief executive officer. He succeeds Katharina Schmitz, who stepped down March 31 after five years as CEO.

Johns, a mechanical engineer, started at Doppelmayr USA in 2021 as vice president of project management before taking on his most recent role as vice president of operations a year later. Prior to that, Johns held various engineering, project management, and leadership roles in the oil and gas and construction industries. 

Schmitz led Doppelmayr through a time of significant growth during the lift construction boom that followed the pandemic, which resulted in “a record number of completed projects” during her time at the helm, according to the company. She joined Doppelmayr in 2018 and followed a similar path as Johns, starting as vice president of project management, then serving as vice president of operations before being promoted to CEO in April 2020.

“Doppelmayr’s success is built on the dedication and creativity of our team,” said Schmitz. “I am deeply grateful for the hard work and camaraderie that made this experience so fulfilling. I leave knowing the company is in capable hands and ready to continue its trajectory of success.”

Doppelmayr plans to break ground this spring on a major expansion of its Salt Lake City headquarters, adding 120,000 square feet of production and warehouse space and 40,000 square feet of office and training space.