Austin Morelock
President & CEO
Austin Morelock has worked with Ohio-based Calvary Industries for more than 13 years. He became CEO and President of the family-owned company in 2021. In 2025, he guided the business through a dividend recapitalization with Mason Wells, a private equity firm, while continuing to lead the business. Mason Wells is a Midwest-based private equity firm that has raised $2.4 billion in aggregate across five independent buyout funds.
Calvary Industries was founded in 1983 by Austin’s father, John Morelock, Jr. The company is a chemical manufacturing business that develops and produces blended process chemicals. Its products include industrial cleaners, conversion coatings, metalworking fluids, and waste treatment chemistries. Calvary Industries also blends, packages, and processes customer-owned products in accordance with client specifications. The company ships materials in containers ranging from one gallon to bulk tank trucks.
Calvary Industries operates from two manufacturing locations: its headquarters in Fairfield, Ohio, and a second facility in Pineville, Louisiana. The Company also uses third-party distribution locations in California and Mexico. Calvary Industries has about 150 non-union employees.
His Professional Journey
After graduating from university, Austin began his career at Groupon in Chicago. He later joined Calvary Industries as an outside chemical sales representative in Dallas, Texas, where he worked for a couple of years. After that, he returned to Cincinnati, where he was born and raised. He then served as Director of Sales and Marketing before becoming the company’s CEO and President.
Through these roles, Austin gained experience in sales, customer relationships, operations, and business leadership. His path within the company gave him a practical understanding of both the commercial and technical sides of the business. This experience helped prepare him to lead Calvary Industries during a period of continued growth and change.
The company serves a wide range of industries. These include appliance, architectural, automotive, contract manufacturing, food and beverage, general industry, heavy equipment, HVAC, metal fabrication, metalworking, military defense, paper and pulp, and pretreatment.
Partnering with Mason Wells
In 2025, Calvary Industries partnered with Mason Wells. As part of the transaction, the Morelock family and Calvary senior management team invested alongside the private equity firm. Austin spoke positively about the partnership and the time spent getting to know Mason Wells.
He described the partnership by saying: “We have spent a lot of time getting to know Mason Wells and have been very impressed by the firm’s professionals, most importantly, its cultural fit with Calvary. At this inflection point in the company’s history, we are excited to bring in a firm that invests in people, partners with management, and has a deep network of industry resources to support Calvary’s growth.”
Mason Wells saw Calvary Industries as a strong strategic fit. The firm pointed to the company’s established market position, focus on developing technical solutions, and consistent record of profitable growth. The partnership was based on the opportunity to support Calvary’s continued expansion while maintaining the service level and collaborative approach that have helped define the company.
Early Recognition
In 2019, Austin was named to the “Products Finishing 40 Under 40.” This annual recognition program honors rising leaders under 40 who are making a meaningful impact in the surface finishing and manufacturing industries.
The award recognizes professionals who show leadership, innovation, and commitment to improving their field. Austin’s inclusion reflected his industry experience and his role in advancing the company. It also showed his early contribution to a sector that depends on technical knowledge, customer service, and reliable manufacturing practices.
Education
Austin Morelock attended Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, and graduated in 2011. During his time at Emory, he was involved in the Business and Investment Clubs. These activities supported his interest in business and gave him exposure to areas that later became important in his professional life.
Before attending Emory University, Austin attended Cincinnati Country Day School. The school is a coeducational, college-preparatory private school in Indian Hill, Ohio. It serves students from 18 months through 18 years. For 100 years, Cincinnati Country Day School has focused on providing innovative preparation for students so they are ready to succeed in college and life.
Dedicated to Giving Back
Austin is Vice President of the Juniper Tree Foundation, the Morelock family foundation. The foundation focuses on charitable, educational, and scientific endeavors. It is a Cincinnati-based 501(c)(3) private foundation that operates on an invitation-only basis. As of 2024, the Foundation has paid $415.1K in grants to 105 grantees.
The Foundation also partners with Back2Back Ministries and supports orphan care worldwide. Back2Back Ministries provides long-term, holistic care to vulnerable children and families worldwide. Its work addresses physical, emotional, educational, and social needs, aiming to create lasting, sustainable change.
Through this work, Austin and the Foundation support efforts that aim to help children, families, and communities. This part of his life reflects a commitment to service outside of business and a focus on using family resources to support meaningful causes.
Personal Life
Austin Morelock has three brothers, Jay, Tyler, and Josh. He married Shelbie Milam three years ago. Shelbie also grew up in Cincinnati and attended Miami University (OH). She currently works as a Senior UX Designer at Shipt, Inc., an American delivery service owned by Target Corporation.
Austin and Shelbie have a son, Miles, who was born in May 2024. They are also expecting their second child, a daughter, in August.
Outside of work and family responsibilities, Austin enjoys traveling, hiking, and attending sporting events. These interests give him time to stay active, spend time with family, and enjoy experiences beyond his professional work.
Portfolio: https://austinmorelock.com/
