The Board of Directors of United Technologies Corp. elected Gregory J. Hayes as its chairman, effective immediately. Hayes will serve as chairman, chief executive officer and president. He succeeds Edward A. Kangas, who has served as non-executive chairman since November 2014. The non-management directors also designated Kangas to serve as the independent lead director, a role he previously served in from April 2013 until his election as non-executive chairman in 2014. Hayes has been a member of the board, and president and CEO of United Technologies since November 2014. He is a 27-year veteran of the company who served as senior vice president and chief financial officer for six years before being elected president and CEO.