Chemical industry appointments

23 March 2009 00:00  [Source: ICB]

EXECUTIVE BRIEFING: BRYAN KITCHEN
has been appointed global supply chain leader for Dow Biocides, and ANGUS Chemical, both wholly owned subsidiary of US chemical giant Dow Chemical. Kitchen is based in Midland, Michigan, where he is responsible for creating and implementing supply chain strategies with a focus on delivering margin expansion, improving supply reliability and enabling growth plans. He is a Six Sigma Black Belt.

Werner Lanthaler
has been appointed CEO for pharmaceutical group Evotec, headquartered in Hamburg, Germany. Previously, Lanthaler served as chief financial officer of Intercell, director of the Federation of Austrian Industry and as senior management consultant at the consulting firm McKinsey & Co. He holds a doctorate in economics from Vienna University.

Femke Weijtens
has been announced as the new corporate secretary for Royal DSM, the global life and material sciences company headquartered in the Netherlands. Weijtens has a legal background and years of experience as partner at a leading law firm in the Netherlands. She specializes in corporate law and will succeed Paul Fuchs, who retires on September 1.

Stephen Toon
has been announced as vice president of engineering and operations for OPX Biotechnologies, a bioproducts company in Boulder, Colorado, US. Toon brings more than 20 years of industrial bioprocess development, commercialization and operations experience to his position. "We are thrilled Steve has joined the growing OPX team," said president and CEO Charles Eggert. "Steve's deep knowledge, experience, and networks are valuable assets for OPX as we accelerate bioprocess development and engineering on the path to commercialization."

Univar
the global chemical distributor, based in Bellevue, Washington, US, has announced the following management changes: Rogelio Lara has been appointed vice president of financial planning and analysis; Doug Drew has been named vice president and treasurer; Pat Walker has been appointed vice president of planning; Russell Day has been named vice president of development. Lara, Drew, Walker and Day will report to Steve Nielsen, senior vice president and chief financial officer.

Heidi Davidson
has been named technical development engineer for the SOLVAir Products group of Solvay Chemicals, headquartered in Houston, Texas, US. Davidson will work with SOLVAir technical and commercial teams to develop technical applications for the products. She holds a degree in chemical engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, and is currently pursuing an MBA from Indiana University. Solvay Chemicals is part of Belgium's Solvay Group.

Darin Sabol
has been appointed chief financial officer of United Companies, a contract packager and in-plant plastic resin services operator in the US, headquartered in Houston, Texas, US. Darin joined the company in 2007, serving as vice president of finance and administration.

Andy Swiger
is expected to be elected senior vice president by US energy group ExxonMobil's board of directors. Swiger, who is president of ExxonMobil Gas & Power Marketing, will be a member of the corporation's management committee. Swiger joined Mobil in 1978 and has held a variety of technical and managerial positions. He holds a bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering from the Colorado School of Mines. Tom Walters, currently executive vice president of ExxonMobil Development, is likely to succeed Swiger as president of ExxonMobil Gas & Power Marketing.

Tom Bass
has been named site leader for Dow Water Solutions' Edina operations, replacing Harry Engelhardt, who has been named site leader for Dow's Texas City operations. Bass was also named as site director for Dow's FilmTec and operations director for specialty polymers. Dow Water Solutions is a business unit of US-based company Dow Chemical.

MOVERS & SHAKERS
Who’s affecting the industry this week… 

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
the Brazilian president, for urging world leaders to reinvigorate trade talks. On a visit to the US, he met President Barack Obama and spoke about the World Trade Organization's stalled Doha Round of trade talks. He added that he recognized obstacles such as trade union pressure.
Industry positive

willie walsh
CEO of British Airways, for slashing the fares of its premium seats, along with other airlines. Responding to a downturn in demand from business travelers, the company last week offered an 84% cut in the price of a 14-day advance business-class ticket between New York and London.
Industry positive

MIKE DUKE
for expanding the use of cheaper house-brand products at US retail giant Wal-Mart, where he is CEO. The group is increasing its revamped "Great Value" portfolio of food and household cleaners. Wal-Mart's house-brand goods have lagged competitors in recent years.
Industry neutral

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