Names in the News | American Coatings Association Coatings Protect. Coatings Preserve. Coatings Provide. Wed, 03 Jun 2026 18:03:10 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.4 /wp-content/uploads/2019/09/cropped-fav-150x150.png Names in the News | American Coatings Association 32 32 Names in the News June 2026 /coatingstech-magazine/articles/names-in-the-news-june-2026/ Mon, 08 Jun 2026 18:01:29 +0000 /?post_type=ct_articles&p=256881 Editor’s note: The following industry professionals have recently received promotions or appointments. To submit your company’s personnel news for possible publication in CoatingsTech, emailpublications@paint.orgwith “Names in the News” in the subject line.

Berger Paints Bangladesh Limitedhas appointed Mohsin Habib Chowdhury as CEO and managing director, effective Aug. 1. Since April 2023, he has served as COO and a director. Chowdhury joined the company in 1995 and has served in key leadership positions, including chief sales and marketing officer, senior general manager–sales and marketing, and general manager–sales and marketing.

ʱʳ’s Board of Directors has elected Jamie A. Beggs to serve as senior vice president and CFO, effective July 6. Beggs succeeds Vincent J. Morales, who will retire from PPG after 41 years with the company. Beggs will report to PPG chairman and CEO Tim Knavish, and will join ʱʳ’s executive and operating committees. She will also have executive leadership responsibilities for corporate development and information technology. Beggs joins PPG with more than 25 years of experience in financial leadership positions in public and private organizations, most recently as CFO of Avient Corporation since 2020.

Covestro has announced that Klaus Fröhlich will become CFO and a member of Covestro AG’s board of management, effective Oct. 1. He succeeds Christian Baier, who will leave the company on Sept. 30.

Fröhlich currently serves as group chief investment officer at energy and chemical company ADNOC, and has more than 25 years’ experience in finance and investment banking.

ValtrisSpecialty Chemicals has appointed Clint Shephard as chief human resources officer. Shephard will play a key role in leading the company’s global talent strategy and will be based in the company’s new office in Midland, Mich. His previous experience includes serving as senior director of human resources at Myers Industries Inc. and as a global HR leader at The Dow Chemical Company.

IMCD Group announced the appointment ofBehnosh Yaghobi as managing director, Middle East.

Yaghobi joined the company in 2020, starting as a regional finance manager Middle East and has taken on broader responsibilities, most recently as Finance & Operations director, Middle East and Egypt.

Prior to joining IMCD, Yaghobi held senior finance and leadership roles, including Vitol Group’s upstream business in Dubai, Air Sweden Aviation and Deloitte in Stockholm. She holds an MSc in Business and Economics from the University of Stockholm.

 

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Names in the News May 2026 /coatingstech-magazine/articles/names-in-the-news-may-2026/ Mon, 18 May 2026 18:34:05 +0000 /?post_type=ct_articles&p=256603 Editor’s note: The following industry professionals have recently received promotions or appointments. To submit your company’s personnel news for possible publication in CoatingsTech, emailpublications@paint.orgwith “Names in the News” in the subject line.

Palmer Holland, Inc., announced that Tim Skufca has been appointed CEO. Vincent S. Misiti, who has served as CEO since 2023, will transition to executive chairman of the Board, focusing on Board leadership, governance, and long-term strategic stewardship. Current executive chairman Bryn Irvine will move to a permanent position as senior director on the Palmer Holland Board.

Skufca joined Palmer Holland in 2025 as chief strategy officer and has been leading the company’s strategic planning, and mergers and acquisitions initiatives. Before Palmer Holland, he was vice president and general manager of the U.S. Wholesale business at Moen, Inc. Prior to his tenure at Moen, Skufca spent a decade with The Sherwin-Williams Company, where he held a series of leadership roles in sales and commercial strategy.

BASF Coatingshas announced thatJens Lühringwill be appointed CEO once the transaction between BASF and the Carlyle Group has been completed and a stand-alone coatings company established. He succeedsUta Holzenkamp,who has led BASF Coatings since 2022, and will continue in that role until the closing expected to take place in the second quarter of 2026.

Dow has announced that current chair and CEO Jim Fitterling will become executive chair of the Board, effective July 1. He will continue to serve as chair of the Board and focus on long-term strategy, governance, and key external relationships, while supporting continuity in leadership and execution.

Karen S. Carter will become CEO, effective July 1. Carter, who has been with the company more than 30 years, previously served as COO, overseeing business and operational performance company-wide, with responsibility for Dow’s operating segments and key functional organizations, while strengthening customer engagement and accelerating innovation. Carter will also join Dow’s Board of Directors.

Evonik has announced that Christian Kullmann will remain CEO of the company until 2030. The company also appointed Michael Rauch as CFO.

Kullmann has been with Evonik since 2003 and was appointed chief strategy officer in 2014. He has headed the Management Board since May 2017.

Rauch has 16 years’ experience in the chemical industry, beginning at Henkel where he held various strategy and finance positions in Germany, Sweden, and China. He also has extensive experience serving the capital markets. Most recently, Rauch, who holds an MBA, served as interim CEO of Swiss vending machine operator Selecta AG.

Keyland Polymer Material Sciences has announced a series of leadership transitions.

Andrew Walton, formerly vice president, has been promoted to president. In this role, Walton will assume responsibility for the company’s operations, strategy, and performance across business units. Walton will lead day-to-day operations and long-term growth initiatives, and continue to strengthen Keyland’s innovation efforts and customer relationships.

Michael Knoblauch transitioned from president of Keyland Polymer Material Sciences to an executive leadership position as secretary and treasurer. Knoblauch will also continue to support the company as a strategic advisor.

Kevin Otto has been promoted from operations manager to general manager of Keyland Polymer UV Powder. In this new role, Otto will be responsible for the overall performance and strategic direction of the UV Powder business, including operations, production, technical development, staff development, and commercial support.

Jimmy Cooperider has joined the Keyland Polymer UV Powder team as a technical sales representative, focusing on North America. With more than 13 years’ coatings industry experience, he will work to attract new customers while continuing to support and strengthen relationships with existing partners.

IMCD Group (IMCD) has announced the appointment of Reanne Rust as managing director for Canada.

Since joining IMCD in August 2024, Rust has worked closely with CEO Marcus Jordan and senior leadership on a number of strategic projects. Most recently, she played a key leadership role in launching a supplier expansion in Europe.

Prior to joining IMCD, Rust spent five years at McKinsey as a strategy consultant. She holds a master’s degree in chemical and biomedical engineering from Eindhoven University of Technology and an MBA from INSEAD.

Wacker has announced that Maximilian Peter has assumed responsibility for the company’s Polymers division. Peter Summo, who headed the Polymers division for 10 years, will now lead Sales & Distribution.

Peter, who holds a doctorate in chemical engineering, has been with WACKER since 2012. After working in process development, he headed Corporate Development and was most recently responsible for Human Resources.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Names in the News April 2026 /coatingstech-magazine/articles/names-in-the-news-april-2026/ Fri, 17 Apr 2026 16:33:34 +0000 /?post_type=ct_articles&p=256313 Editor’s note: The following industry professionals have recently received promotions or appointments. To submit your company’s personnel news for possible publication in CoatingsTech, emailpublications@paint.orgwith “Names in the News” in the subject line.

BASF Coatings has announced that Jens Lühring will be appointed CEO once the transaction between BASF and the Carlyle Group has been completed and a stand-alone coatings company established. He succeeds Uta Holzenkamp, who has led BASF Coatings since 2022, and will continue in that role until the closing, expected to take place in the second quarter of 2026.

Covia announced that Laura Riquelme has been appointed executive vice president and CFO. Riquelme joins Covia from Zep Inc., where she served as CFO since 2022. Prior to Zep, Riquelme served as CFO of Cooper Lighting Solutions. Previously, she held numerous finance leadership roles at General Electric Company in both domestic and international assignments.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México.

NUCOAT North America, a provider of high-performance coatings for windows and doors, has announced two executive appointments. Connor Krings has been named business development manager. In this role, he will focus on expanding the company’s customer base, supporting strategic accounts and strengthening relationships across key markets. Stefanie Dennis has been appointed senior manager of internal administration. Dennis will oversee internal operations, customer support, and administrative systems.

Houston-based chemical specialty product distributor Third Coast Chemicals has named Juan Gayton as president. With many years of experience in petrochemical marketing and sales, Gayton most recently served as vice president, MS Polymers, for Kaneka North America.

RadTech, the nonprofit association for the advancement of ultraviolet (UV) and electron beam (EB) technologies,has promoted Mickey Fortune to chief strategy and operations officer. Fortune, who has been with the organization for over 20 years, most recently served as associate executive director for education and outreach.

In his new role, Fortune will continue to help the group meet the evolving needs and advancement opportunities for the UV+EB community.His expanded responsibilities include strategic growth, operational excellence, and continued industry collaboration.

Evonik has appointed Jonas Niedballa as global head of Research & Development–Formulation Technology. He most recently served as head of R&D–FPE. Niedballa earned a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree from Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf.

Kyocera Hardcoating Technologies Europe has appointed Arunprabhu Sugumaranas Hardcoating Technologies lead engineer where he will provide operational leadership within the coating department while driving R&D to enhance coating performance across industrial sectors. He joins the business following doctoral research at the Materials and Engineering Research Institute, Sheffield Hallam University, where he developed advanced nanostructured physical vapor deposition coatings for orthopedic knee replacement joints using industrial-scale high power impulse magnetron sputtering technology.

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Names in the News March 2026 /coatingstech-magazine/articles/names-in-the-news-march-2026/ Mon, 16 Mar 2026 17:19:08 +0000 /?post_type=ct_articles&p=255558 Editor’s note: The following industry professionals have recently received promotions or appointments. To submit your company’s personnel news for possible publication in CoatingsTech, emailpublications@paint.orgwith “Names in the News” in the subject line.

Kraton Corporation has appointed Sangwoo Ryu as CEO. Ryu most recently served as CEO of Cariflex Pte Ltd., a Kraton spin‑off under DL Chemical, having joined the company as CFO in 2020 shortly before its acquisition by DL Chemical. He became CEO of Cariflex in April 2025. In his new role, Ryu will work with Kraton’s Executive Leadership Team and Board of Directors, as well as Cariflex leadership to help guide strategic decision making, operational excellence, and long‑term growth for both organizations.

Nobian, a Western European producer of salt and essential chemicals, has appointed Thorsten Krekels as CFO and member of the company’s leadership team. Krekels previously served as group controller and managing director Germany for Nobian. He succeeds Michael Pontzen, who will transition to a new project with Nobian’s principal shareholder, The Carlyle Group.

Surface‑protective technology company actnano, Inc. has appointed Sruti Balasubramanian as CTO. In this role, she will lead product innovation and deepen customer partnerships, while ensuring the company’s technology roadmap remains aligned with real‑world customer needs. Balasubramanian is the inventor of record on actnano’s core patents and is a graduate of MIT’s Strategic Technology Roadmapping & Innovation program.

Nobilis Group, Inc has announced a series of executive promotions. Stan Starnes has been named president, responsible for sales initiatives, new business development, and servicing key partner relationships. Jeff Beaver will assume the role ofchief administrative officer. In addition, the company has hiredRushi Modhaas COO, responsible for all core business operations. Nobilis founderTroy Goodwill continue to lead the company as CEO.

Omya Performance Polymer Distribution has named Sara Ghione president for Rubber Polymers and Additives. She will be based in Oftringen, Switzerland, and report to CEO Carsten Harms. With over 20 years’ experience in the chemical distribution industry, Ghione most recently served as business director for Polymers and Rubber EMEA for Brenntag. Omya reports that Ghione’s appointment completes the global leadership team for Omya Performance Polymer Distribution.

Nouryon has named Jennifer Durbin executive vice president and chief human resources officer. She will lead the development and execution of company’s global human capital strategy, shaping policies and practices that support the company’s organizational goals and workforce needs. Durbin joined Nouryon in 2026 from CMC, a publicly held global steel manufacturing and construction materials company, where she served as senior vice president, chief human resources, and communications officer.

Barentz has named Eric Post senior vice president, Principal Management−CASE & Plastics. Post joined Barentz in 2017, and most recently served as vice president Principal Management.

BASF Intermediates Americas has appointed Kevin Anderson to head the division as vice president, Regional Business Management. Anderson will be responsible for the division’s strategic growth, innovation, and customer-centric collaboration. He previously served as vice president, Business Management Amines, Acetylenics, and Carbonyl Derivatives, Chemical Intermediates, North America.​

Elinor Coatings has appointed Michelle Pierre as director of the Aurora Center for Extreme Weather Materials, a division of Elinor Coatings. In this role, Pierre, whose work focuses on translating complex materials risks into clear engineering decisions to ensure safety and reliability, will lead a growing team serving clients across aerospace, defense, energy, agriculture, and industrial sectors.

Pierre holds a B.S in Chemistry from Kennesaw State University and a Ph.D. in Materials Engineering from Florida International University.

Ravago Chemicals North America (RCNA) has announced the appointment of Eric Kostyszyn as director & vice president of Chemicals. He most recently served as vice president of Sales & Industrial Markets.

In addition, RCNA has named Jeffrey Wear as vice president−Segments. Wear joined the company in 2022 and most recently served as vice president of Coatings & Inks.

Sherwin-Williams Industrial Wood Coatings division has appointed Sarah Wolek as North American director of technical service. Her focus will be on elevating service capabilities, optimizing processes, and supporting strategic growth across the industrial wood coatings business. Wolek previously served as technical director, Agricultural Solutions, for the Stepan Company.

Gemini Industries, Inc. has announced that David Jackson has stepped into the role of director, Product Management. Jackson, a long-tenured employee-owner, will oversee the development of new technologies as well as strengthening Gemini’s existing product lineup.

IMCD Group has appointed Sami Valkama as global technical director for its Coatings & Construction Business Group, in addition to his current role as managing director of IMCD Nordics. Since joining IMCD in 2006, Valkama has held a range of technical positions across the organization. In his expanded role, he will oversee the company’s global technical strategy for the coatings and construction markets.

The ChemQuest Group has appointed its latest new director, Edward Johnson. With decades of experience leading strategy and acquisition projects for global corporations, Johnson has had roles with Advanced Sealing Technologies (a business line of Michelin), IAMCO Strategy Consultants, and Vermillion Partners.

Teresa Karjala, senior research & development fellow, Packaging, Specialty Plastics, and Hydrocarbons, at Dow has been elected into the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) Class of 2026.NAE membership honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to engineering research, practice, or education. Karjala is recognized “for leadership in innovation in the field of polyolefin product development, production, and commercialization.” She has been employed by Dow for over 30 years and received a B.S. from Michigan Technological University and a Ph.D. from The University of Delaware, both in chemical engineering.

 

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Names in the News February 2026 /coatingstech-magazine/articles/names-in-the-news-february-2026/ Tue, 24 Feb 2026 16:54:55 +0000 /?post_type=ct_articles&p=255373 Editor’s note: The following industry professionals have recently received promotions or appointments. To submit your company’s personnel news for possible publication in CoatingsTech, emailpublications@paint.orgwith “Names in the News” in the subject line.

Samuel Schär has assumed his position as CEO of ü. Schär joined ü 20 years ago to establish the Nanotechnology business unit. He then led the Grinding & Dispersing business area for several years, before joining the Group Executive Board in 2013 and successfully leading the Advanced Materials segment for 10 years. He later took over responsibility for the Global Services & Sales organization. Samuel Schär studied physics at EPFL Lausanne in Switzerland.

Valtris Specialty Chemicals announced today the appointment of Mike McGaugh as CEO. McGaugh has assumed the role held by former CEO, Simon Medley, who will be retiring as part of this transition but will continue to advise the company.

McGaugh was most recently the CEO of Myers Industries Inc. Prior to his tenure at Myers, he served as executive vice president and COO of BMC Stock Holdings and also spent nearly 25 years in various senior leadership roles at The Dow Chemical Company. He holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Texas State University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Sheboygan Paint Company announced that Holly Bellmund has been appointed CEO. Bellmund previously served as president of GLC Minerals, where she led strategy, operations, product development, and market expansion. Her background spans engineering, sales, and commercial strategy, giving her direct experience in linking formulation development with field performance and customer requirements. She has worked extensively with industrial, agriculture, and equipment OEMs — core segments for Sheboygan Paint Company.

Gemini Industries, Inc. has announced that David Jackson has stepped into the role of director, Product Management. Jackson, a long-tenured employee-owner, will oversee the development of new technologies as well as strengthening Gemini’s existing product lineup.

Color Pigments Manufacturers Association has appointed Robert Helminiak as executive director. With more than 15 years of senior leadership experience, Helminiak most recently served as vice president of Legal & Government Relations at the Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates.

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Names in the News January 2026 /coatingstech-magazine/articles/names-in-the-news-january-2026/ Wed, 14 Jan 2026 20:20:21 +0000 /?post_type=ct_articles&p=255112 Editor’s note: The following industry professionals have recently received promotions or appointments. To submit your company’s personnel news for possible publication in CoatingsTech, emailpublications@paint.orgwith “Names in the News” in the subject line.

January Names in the News Digital

The allnex Advisory Committee has appointed Anish K. Taneja as CEO. Taneja is joining allnex from Johnson Matthey PLC where he most recently served as the CEO of Clean Air & Hydrogen Technologies and as chair of the Group Commercial Council. Taneja is a board member of the German Association of the Automotive Industry and has served as president of the German Rubber Industry Association, and as a board member of Hydrogen Europe.

Syensqo announced thatMike Radossichhas assumed the role of CEO and member of the Board of Directors. Radossich will be responsible for steering Syensqo’s next phase as the company continues to focus on creating value for its stakeholders; accelerating sustainable, profitable growth; and driving long-term performance. He succeeds Ilham Kadri, who will continue as a special advisor.

AkzoNobel announced that Maarten de Vries, who had planned to retire in April, has agreed to extend his tenure as CFO for one year to support the planned merger with Axalta. The extension of his term as a member of the Board of Management will be proposed for shareholder approval at the April 2026 AGM.

The Hempel A/S Board of Directors has announced that Michael Hansen, group president and CEO, has resigned. In accordance with the company’s succession plans, the board has initiated a search for his successor. Until the appointment is finalized, Hansen will continue to lead the company alongside Hempel’s Executive Group Management team to advance the company’s strategic priorities.

PPG announced that Vincent (Vince) J. Morales, senior vice president and CFO, will retire July 1, 2026. A veteran of the company for over 40 years, Morales is a member and secretary of ʱʳ’s operating committee and member of the executive committee. A global internal and external search is underway.

Other company changes include the retirement of Adriana Macouzet, vice president of PPG Latin America, and general manager, Protective and Marine Coatings (PMC), Latin America, effective April 30, 2026.

Jennifer Solcz, vice president, protective and marine coatings, United States and Canada (USCA) will be vice president, PMC, Americas effective April 30, 2026.

Javier Sosa Mejía, vice president, Architectural Coatings, Latin America and president, PPG Comex, will expand his responsibilities as president, PPG Latin America.

Barentz has named Sertaç Sürür as president EMEA. Sürür most recently served as CEO Asia Pacific for Azelis. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Istanbul Technical University in Türkiye and an MBA in International Business from National University in California.

Evonik has appointed Elias Lacerda president of the Americas region, effective February 1. He succeeds Guido Skudlarek, who recently assumed global leadership of Evonik’s Health Care business line in the United States.

Lacerda most recently served as head of Evonik’s Coating Additives business line at the company’s headquarters in Essen, Germany. From 2018 to 2022, Lacerda was president of the Central and South America region, which has since been merged with North America to form the Americas region. A native Brazilian, Lacerda holds degrees in Chemical Engineering and Business Administration.

Evonik has also appointed Jacob Shevrin as global director of Strategic Product Management. In this new role, he will be based in Frankfurt, Germany. Shevrin previously served as director of Technical Marketing and Applied Technology, for the Americas Functional Silanes team.

Huntsman Corporation has named Amy Smedley as executive vice president, general counsel, and secretary. She succeeds David Stryker, who is retiring. Smedley has strong legal and leadership experience, most recently serving as executive vice president and chief legal officer at Savage Companies since 2022. She previously spent 16 years with Huntsman in a series of senior legal roles, ultimately serving as vice president and deputy general counsel.

IMCD has announced that Emmanuel Colette will assume global leadership of its Business Group Food & Nutrition, effective March 1. Colette will also retain his current responsibilities as managing director, IMCD France. He succeeds Marc van Gerwen, who is retiring after a 38-year career in the chemicals and ingredients industry.

IMCD has also named Christoph Garbotz as managing director for Germany, responsible for the management of the Germany, Austria, Southeast Europe, and Switzerland region. Most recently he served as director principal management for the company’s Pharmaceuticals Business Group.

The ChemQuest Group announced the appointment of two Netherlands-based directors. Erwin Wild and Ruud van der Erden. Wild has held leadership roles at Huntsman Advanced Materials, CVC Thermoset Specialties, AGC Chemicals Europe, and Kemira. He holds a B.S. in chemical engineering and organic chemistry from Saxion University, as well as an E.M.B.A. through the Helsinki School of Economics.

Ruud van der Eerden has more than 35 years of leadership experience in global strategy, sales, marketing, technology, regulatory, and business management of specialty resins and polymers in CASE and other markets. Van der Eerden earned a B.S. in Chemical Technology from HTS Dordrecht.

Sheboygan Paint Company has namedRobert Steebhas as Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) manager. In this role, Steebhas will design, develop, implement, and oversee the organization’s EHS programs and procedures to safeguard employees and surrounding communities. Steebhas has 25 years of EHS experience across a number of industries, including chemicals, EV batteries, food, and packaging.

R.E. Carroll Inc. has announced that its vice president, David Carroll, has been accepted into the 2026 class for Executive Leaders by the Alliance for Chemical Distribution.The program for established executives and emerging leaders focuses on practical tools to strengthen communication, sharpen strategic decision-making, and enhance advocacy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Names in the News December 2025 /coatingstech-magazine/articles/names-in-the-news-december-2025/ Tue, 09 Dec 2025 20:27:53 +0000 /?post_type=ct_articles&p=254898 Editor’s note: The following industry professionals have recently received promotions or appointments. To submit your company’s personnel news for possible publication in CoatingsTech, emailpublications@paint.orgwith “Names in the News” in the subject line.

Mike King will join Vibrantz Technologies as president and CEO. King brings to the position more than 20 years of global leadership experience in manufacturing and is recognized for building high-performing teams, leading large-scale transformations, and positioning businesses for long-term success. He most recently served as president and CEO of Pactiv Evergreen Inc.

King succeeds Chris DiSantis, who served as interim CEO since February 2025. DiSantis will continue supporting the company through the leadership transition.

Azelis has appointed Boris Cambon-Lalanne as group CFO and member of the board of directors, effective January 2026. He brings to the position over two decades of financial expertise in the chemical industry, most recently as capital markets director for Solvay. He succeeds Thijs Bakker, whose departure was previously announced.

Sherwin-Williams Company’s board of directors has elected Benjamin E. Meisenzahl to serve as CFO, effective January 1, 2026. Meisenzahl has held the position of senior vice president—Finance for the last two and a half years, where he led the company’s Treasury, Tax, Finance Transformation, and Global Business Services functions. In over 22 years with Sherwin-Williams, he has held multiple roles of increasing responsibility, including global finance and operational positions in the company’s Paint Stores Group, Performance Coatings Group, and Global Supply Chain. He succeeds Allen J. Mistysyn, who will assume a short-term transition role before retiring after 35 years of service to the company.

Orion S.A. has announced the appointment of Jonathan “Jon” Puckett as CFO. Puckett joins Orion with more than 30 years of financial leadership experience, including 14 years with Celanese, where he most recently served as vice president and CFO for the Acetyl Chain segment. He succeeds Jeff Glajch who will retire from the position at the end of 2025 and provide consulting services to Orion during the first quarter of 2026 to ensure a seamless transition.

MuleHide, the Wisconsin-based manufacturer of roofing products and systems, has appointed Mauiusz Dubicki, Nick Montagna, and Tyler Rada as territory managers and Daniel Williams as strategic account manager for modular roofing.

Dubicki, a 30-year veteran of the roofing industry, will have responsibility for the Chicago territory. He has been a field technical representative for Illinois and Wisconsin since joining MuleHide in 2024.

Montagna has been hired as territory manager for Western New England, serving Connecticut and western Massachusetts. Montagna has been selling roofing materials and systems for nearly 24 years.

Rada has joined MuleHide as territory manager for South New Jersey/Delaware. He has more than 20 years of experience in construction and management.

Williams comes to MuleHide from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, where he was community standards coordinator.In his new role, Williams will be a primary link connecting the company with modular manufacturers, roofing distributors, and modular building designers nationwide.

Gemini Industries, Inc. has announced three key leadership changes intended to strengthen its sales organization and position the company for continued growth.

David Potter has been promoted to director of sales. In this role, he will oversee all aspects of the company’s sales strategy across channels, aligning with the company’s long-term vision for growth and market leadership.

Dustin McCartney has been promoted to regional sales manager—East. His new responsibilities include strengthening Gemini’s presence in key markets, continuing to build relationships with customers, and mentoring and managing members of the sales team.

Wilson Feliciano has joined the company as business development manager—East. Feliciano will focus on generating new business opportunities for the company’s family of brands, particularly in historically underserved areas.

 

 

 

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New Products December 2025 /coatingstech-magazine/articles/new-products-december-2025/ Tue, 09 Dec 2025 20:20:20 +0000 /?post_type=ct_articles&p=254889 Editor’s note: This column is a roundup of recent product releases from the coatings and allied industries. To submit a product release for consideration, emailpublications@paint.org. Please note that all submissions are subject to editorial approval and publication is not guaranteed.

Intumescent Fire Protection Coatings

Jotun has debuted Jotachar 1709 XT, the newest addition to its range of intumescent fire protection coatings for the oil and gas industry. Engineered for onshore new construction projects requiring UL 1709 certification, the patent-pending all-climate-capable fire protection coating is formulated to perform in extreme environments. Jotun reports that Jotachar 1709 XT has undergone comprehensive third-party testing and is fully certified by leading regulatory bodies.

For more information, visit .

Silicone Rubber

WACKER has launched POWERSIL®1900 A/B, a new high-consistency silicone rubber for the production of hollow-core insulators. The product is supplied as a two-component system and is suitable for manufacturing processes that involve extrusion, including spiral extrusion. According to WACKER, this enables the manufacturing of even large-scale insulators with variable diameters to be easier and more cost-effective.

To learn more, visit .

Antimicrobial Coatings

BioBond Adhesives, Inc. has expanded its BioBond Protective Antimicrobial Coatings line with eight new color options. BioBond notes that the PFAS-free coatings are formulated using bio-based antimicrobial technology, contain no odors or microplastics, and are able to resist mold, bacteria, and microbial matter. Intended as a healthier alternative to traditional solvent-based epoxies and urethanes, BioBond says the coatings are USDA BioPreferred Certified and manufactured in the United States.

For additional details, visit

Primer + Sealer

Valspar® has launched Valspar®Oil-Based Primer + Sealer, a high-performance, fast-drying primer intended for a variety of interior applications. The company says that the primer is engineered to block stains and odors—including tannins, water, grease, and smoke—while providing strong adhesion and easy sandability. Valspar adds that the finish is formulated to conceal minor surface imperfections, helping to create a smooth, uniform base for topcoats.

To learn more, visit .

Plant-Based Paint & Primer

Behr Paint Company has unveiled Behr Premium Plus® Ecomix™ Plant-Based Paint & Primer. According to Behr, the product is the first 100% all-acrylic paint and primer that meets the 20% minimum threshold of renewable materials set for the interior paints and coatings category by the USDA BioPreferred Program. The company reports that the new product is also UL GREENGUARD GOLD Certified+, ensuring it has low chemical emissions and contributes to a healthier indoor environment.

To learn more, visit .

 

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Names in News November 2025 /coatingstech-magazine/articles/names-in-news-november-2025/ Fri, 14 Nov 2025 19:22:43 +0000 /?post_type=ct_articles&p=254345 Editor’s note: The following industry professionals have recently received promotions or appointments. To submit your company’s personnel news for possible publication in CoatingsTech, emailpublications@paint.orgwith “Names in the News” in the subject line.

RPM International Inc.’s Board of Directors has announced two key leadership changes. David Dennsteadthas been appointed RPM executive vice president. In this role, he will oversee all corporate administrative functions, including finance, legal, risk management, human resources, manufacturing, and operations. Dennsteadt most recently served as group president of RPM’s Performance Coatings Group (PCG).

Succeeding Dennsteadt as group president of the newly expanded PCG is Gregory Michael. Previously, Michael served as president of RPM company, Stonhard.RPM says these leadership updates come as part of a broader strategic reorganization designed to streamline operations and transition from four reporting groups to three.

Huntsman Corporation has named Julia Wright executive vice president, general counsel, and secretary. She succeeds current general counsel, David Stryker, who will serve as executive vice president, Strategic Initiatives, pending his retirement at the end of 2025.

Wright has over 15 years of executive experience, most recently as senior vice president, general counsel, and secretary at ChampionX Corporation, where she was responsible for the legal organization until it was acquired by SLB (formerly Schlumberger) in July 2025.

Ingevity Corporation has named Ruth Castillo as senior vice president and president of Performance Materials, the company’s activated carbon segment. She will also join Ingevity’s executive leadership team as senior vice president. Castillo most recently served as vice president of global chemicals at Avantor. She holds an MBA in International Management from the University of Texas at Dallas and a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City.

The supervisory board of BASF SE has announced a series of executive changes. Mary Kurian and Livio Tedeschi have been appointed to the Board of Executive Directors, effective May1,2026. Kurian will take over the Chemicals and Nutrition & Care segments of the company. Tedeschi will assume new board responsibilities for the Agricultural Solutions segment in preparation for the division’s planned partial IPO. At the same time, Michael Heinz will retire as planned, effective April 30, 2026.

In addition, Nina Schwab-Hautzinger, head of Corporate Communications & Government Relations, will leave BASF effective January 31, 2026, to take on a new professional opportunity. The company will announce a successor at a later date.

BASF has also announced that Jolen Stein, senior director, People Services, at the company’sVerbundsite in Geismar, La., has been named one of 12 outstanding leaders who make up the 2025 class of Women in Manufacturing (WiM) Hall of Fame inductees.

The WiM Hall of Fame was started in 2019 by the Women in Manufacturing Association to recognize women who have made, or are making, significant contributions to the manufacturing industry.

Eastman has named Martin Rogers as technology manager, CASE Technology Division. Most recently, Rogers served as group leader, Coatings Product Translation and Development. He has been with Eastman since 2014.

Cortec® Corporation has appointed Ivana Radic Borsic executive vice president and managing director of its European subsidiary, CorteCros d.o.o. In her new role, she will oversee the company’s strategic growth, sales, logistics, and production throughout Europe and globally. Borsic will also retain her current title as vice president of Sales, Europe, for Cortec, ensuring tight integration between CorteCros’s operational capabilities and Cortec’s broader European sales strategy.

The National Steel Painting Contractors Association (NSPCA) has announced a leadership transition effective January 1, 2026. Retiring executive director Deborah Wyandt, Esq., who has helmed the association since 2021, will be succeeded on an interim basis by Joye Blanscett, who was engaged by NSPCA in April 2025 as a consultant. NSPCA will appoint a permanent executive director in early 2026.

The ChemQuest Group, Inc. has appointed three new directors: Bernardo Montes, Steven Roth, and Richard Karpowicz.

Montes has extensive experience in operations management within global organizations, including positions of increasing authority with Thyssen Henschel S.A., Thyssen Gus S.A., Thyssen Stearns Inc., and Milliken & Co. Montes holds a master’s degree in Industrial Engineering, and an MBA and doctorate from the University of Oviedo.

Roth has built extensive specialty chemicals experience in a range of sectors, including coatings, adhesives, fine fragrance, home care, and animal feed additives over the course of his career with Emerald Kalama Chemical and Lanxess. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Northwest Nazarene University, an MBA from the University of Oregon, and a doctorate in Bio-organic Chemistry from the University of Nevada.

Karpowicz is a chemist and ASQ Six Sigma Black Belt with four decades of experience in adhesives, tapes, labels, and medical devices. He most recently served as owner of Adhesive Tape Label LLC. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Saint Joseph’s University, as well as a doctorate in Chemistry (Physical Organic) from the University of Delaware.

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Names in the News: October 2025 /coatingstech-magazine/articles/names-in-the-news-october-2025/ Wed, 01 Oct 2025 19:09:42 +0000 /?post_type=ct_articles&p=252852 Editor’s note: The following industry professionals have recently received promotions or appointments. To submit your company’s personnel news for possible publication in CoatingsTech, emailpublications@paint.orgwith “Names in the News” in the subject line.

The Bodo Möller Chemie Group announced that Peter Holm, previously managing director of Bodo Möller Chemie Denmark, has been named chairman of the Danish subsidiary. Holm joined the group in 2008 and was instrumental in building up the subsidiary in Denmark, which he led successfully for many years. He will gradually step back from daily operations while continuing to provide strategic guidance. Holm is succeeded in the role by Karin Håkansson, who has managed business activities in Denmark since the beginning of the year.

Brenntag announced that CEO Jens Birgersson has assumed direct responsibility for its Brenntag Essentials division. This follows the early September departure of Ewout van Jarwaarde from the board of management and CEO role.

Van Jarwaarde joined Brenntag’s board as chief transformation officer in 2021 and played a key role in establishing the operational structure of Brenntag Essentials. He was named CEO of the division in August 2023. Under his leadership, the Didex transformation program was implemented, strengthening the company’s capabilities in digitalization, data, and AI while accelerating the rollout of the group-wide technology strategy.

Evonik Industries has announced that its chief financial officer, Maike Schuh, is leaving at her own request. Schuh, who has been with Evonik for 10 years, joined the executive board in April 2023, where she has been overseeing the company’s finance division. Previously, she ran the accounting unit, moving to the newly founded Performance Materials division in 2020 and taking over as managing director there in 2022.

Evonik CEO Christian Kullmann will temporarily assume responsibility for the finance department at the executive board level. Claus Rettig, an associated member of the executive board and head of the Asia-Pacific region, will take over Schuh’s operational duties until a successor is appointed.

In other Evonik news, the company has extended the contract of its chief human resources officer and labor director, Thomas Wessel, until 2028. Wessel, a member of the executive board since 2011, is also responsible for infrastructure and sustainability.

Arkema announced that Laurent Peyronneau has been named executive vice president of the Adhesive Solutions segment (Bostik) and will join the company’s executive committee. He succeeds Vincent Legros, who headed the segment for nine years, doubling its size, accelerating international expansion, and improving its operating margin.

Peyronneau, a materials scientist with extensive experience in the adhesives industry, has held various management positions within Arkema, most recently as director of Coating Additives. In his new role, he will be responsible for driving the strategic development of Bostik.

Hempel A/S has announced the appointment of Malgorzata (Gosha) Kolton as executive vice president and head of Marine, effective January 1, 2026.

Kolton joins Hempel from her role as EU vice president of Packaging Adhesives, Coatings and Sealants at Henkel where she successfully steered one of the company’s largest regional businesses through volatile market conditions and transformations over the last five years, consistently delivering strong results across Europe.

Kolton takes over the role from Alexander Enström who has chosen to step down, following careful consideration and a desire to focus on more specialized responsibilities. He will assume the new role of Head of New Build in Marine on January 1, 2026.

Tim O’Bryan, co-president of O’Bryan Barrel Company and former chair of the Reusable Industrial Packaging Association (RIPA), has been selected by industry peers to receive the 2025 Morris Hershson Award of Merit. RIPA presents the award to an individual for “distinguished and longstanding service” to the reusable industrial packaging industry.

Under his leadership, O’Bryan Barrel became the first company to obtain a Special Permit from the U.S. Department of Transportation to forego the annual design-type re-test period for steel drums. O’Bryan currently serves as RIPA International Committee chair and is a member of the RIPA planning committee for the 2026 International Conference on Industrial Packaging.

 

 

 

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