MOVES: Cella to retire as CEO of CP Chem

HOUSTON (ICIS)–Peter Cella will retire as the CEO of Chevron Phillips Chemical, effective 1 August, the US-based olefins and polyolefins producer said on Tuesday.

He will be replaced by Mark Lashier, who is currently executive vice president, commercial.

Cella was key in advancing the company’s $6bn US Gulf Coast Petrochemicals Project, said Timothy Taylor, president of Phillips 66 and member of the board of directors of Chevron Phillips Chemical.

Earlier this year, the company completed two polyethylene (PE) units that are part of this project. They should fully start up in the third quarter. A new ethane cracker should be completed later this year.

The project has lasted during much of Cella’s tenure as CEO, which started more than six years ago.

“I’m incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together, particularly the success in building our world-scale petrochemicals project, elevating our already industry-leading operational excellence performance and advancing our organisational capabilities agenda,” he said “I look forward to the many achievements this company and our employees will make under Mark Lashier’s leadership.”

Lashier began his career nearly 30 years ago as an engineer at Phillips Petroleum, the predecessor of Phillips 66. By 1997, he assumed management responsibility for the company’s olefins business.

Lashier joined Chevron Phillips Chemical in 2000, when Chevron and Phillips Petroleum joined their chemical businesses to create the joint venture.

Lashier’s positions at Chevron Phillips include Asia region manager; senior vice president, specialties, aromatics and styrenics; and executive vice president, olefins and polyolefins.

In addition to Cella’s retirement and Lashier’s promotion, Chevron Phillips also announced other changes, all effective on 1 July.

It named Scott Sharp executive vice president, manufacturing. He is currently senior vice president, manufacturing.

Ron Corn, currently senior vice president, projects and supply chain, will become senior vice president, petrochemicals.

Dave Morgan, senior vice president, polymers, will become senior vice president, polymers and specialities.

Dave Smith, senior vice president, petrochemicals, will assume a new role as senior vice president, corporate planning and technology.

Jim Becker, vice president specialities, will become vice president, polymers.

Jim Telljohann, vice president, corporate planning and development, will assume a commercial role as vice president, specialties.