Russell Lewis (Founder / Chairman) is an individual who has gained international experience in the entrepreneurial world of business for more than 25 years.  As founder and CEO of Rhino Linings USA, Inc., a worldwide distribution company with retail dealer sales in excess of $200 million, Mr. Lewis is the organization’s visionary and personifies Rhino Linings’ commitment to delivering the highest quality product and service to it's customers.

In 1988, Mr. Lewis pioneered an entirely new industry in America, the technology of sprayed-on polyurethane, which was used in the mining industry in South Africa.  At that time, the automotive industry had only standard plastic drop-in bed liners as their best option to help protect truck beds    leaving very few options for consumers.  Realizing that plastic drop-in liners did not adequately provide the best protection for steel bed trucks, Mr. Lewis combined the technology of South Africa with his own ingenuity and engineered the highest quality chemical formulations.  Thus, Rhino Linings USA was established, spurring a whole new industry of sprayed-on polyurethane truck bed linings.

Mr. Lewis is also the CEO of Rhino Linings Australasia Pty Ltd., Rhino Linings of Canada, Inc., and Rhino Linings of Latin America.  Today, the Rhino Linings empire hales over 1,400 dealerships and industrial accounts in over 50 countries around the globe. 

Along with his founding companies, Mr. Lewis is involved in a variety of other industries including manufacturing, wholesale distribution, retail and real estate.  He founded the International Chemical Industries, Inc. and ArcoMatrix, Inc.  He is co-founder of Rhino Off-Road Industries, Inc., a manufacturer of off-road vehicles, and a Director at Tungsten Heavy Powder.  Mr. Lewis is actively involved in real estate.  His real estate holdings include assets in domestic and international markets. 

Mr. Lewis received two degrees in Science.  He also serves on the Board of Directors for Carbite Golf, GEO2 Technologies, Fallbrook Technologies and is currently involved with the Entrepreneurial Management Center at San Diego State University.  Mr. Lewis currently resides in Rancho Santa Fe, California with his wife and four children.

Pierre Gagnon (President / CEO) joined Rhino Linings in January 2006 as president. With 27 years of automotive experience, Mr. Gagnon was previously president and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors North America, responsible for leading all Mitsubishi Motors activities in the US, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. He led an operations turnaround, resulting in five consecutive years of record growth in profits, sales and brand awareness.

Prior to being recruited by Mitsubishi, Gagnon was head of consumer marketing for the Saturn Corporation. During his tenure, Saturn surpassed Honda in purchase consideration and reached the highest loyalty rate among import competitors. He also served 18 years at General Motors of Canada Ltd., providing leadership in all aspects of sales, service, marketing and field operations. As Director of the Saturn Saab Isuzu division, his operation’s accomplishments included leading GM of Canada in customer satisfaction and dealer satisfaction.

A native of Timmins, Ontario, Canada, Gagnon graduated from the University of Ottawa with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and an Honors Bachelor of Commerce. He undertook his MBA graduate studies at York University and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Business Adninistration from Laurentian University.