Mike Ott, Chair
President & CEO, Polysciences, Inc.
Michael Ott
Michael Ott is the owner and operator of Polysciences, Inc., which is a diversified manufacturer of chemicals for the research, medical device, electronic and diagnostic markets. Polysciences produces specialty monomers and polymers, microspheres, histology and microscopy reagents, and have a wide range of materials science applications.
Kate Donahue, 1st Vice Chair
President, Hampford Research, Inc.
Kate Donahue
Kate Donahue is President and CEO of Hampford Research, Inc., which is a family owned, custom chemical manufacturing firm. It specializes in hi-purity specialty chemicals used in the electronics, dental, cosmetics, engineered materials and printing/lithography industries, and is located in Stratford, CT.
Charles ‘Chuck’ Hinton, Ph.D., 2nd Vice Chair and Treasurer
President Emeritus, Ethox Chemicals
Chuck Hinton
Chuck Hinton began his career in the chemical industry in 1973 at Celanese/FII as an R&D chemist. He joined Ethox in 1975, where he worked in technical sales. After 15 years, Chuck became Vice President, and in 2008 he took the reigns as President. Chuck semi-retired at the end of 2020 and now serves Ethox in the areas of special projects, business development and corporate strategy.
Mara Gliozzi, Secretary
Vice President & Global Business Manager, Specialty Chemicals, McGean
Mara Gliozzi
Mara Gliozzi has worked in the chemical industry for 35 years, all with McGean, a specialty chemical manufacturer near Cleveland, OH, that employees almost 100 people. She started as a summer intern and stayed with the company from that point on.
During those years, the family-owned organization has gone through several iterations, but has always valued its employees and worked diligently to provide a supportive work environment that encourages success.
Throughout her career at McGean, Gliozzi has worked in a variety of jobs, from sales and marketing to purchasing and customer service. Ms. Gliozzi is actively involved in SOCMA, taking advantage of advocacy, educational and networking opportunities, including the Washington Fly-In, Annual Dinner and Committee Week, among others.
Kenneth Zrebiec, Member-at-Large
SVP, Manufacturing Operations, Veranova
Kenneth Zrebiec
Ken has over 20 years of experience in plant management, manufacturing, supply chain, and project management with a strong technical background in pharmaceutical drug substance (API) and specialty fine chemicals.
In his current role at Veranova, Ken is the head of global operations responsible for EHS, API manufacturing, CAPEX, Supply Chain, and Operational Excellence for five manufacturing sites in the US and Scotland. He is also a member of the Veranova Executive Team.
Ken has been an active member of SOCMA’s Board of Governors over multiple terms since June 2018. In 2020, Ken served as Secretary on SOCMA’s Executive Committee.
Ken has a BSChE and MBA from the University of Delaware.
Gene Williams, Immediate Past Chair
President, Optima Chemical Group
Gene Williams
Gene Williams is President of the Optima Chemical Group, LLC, a global supplier of specialty chemicals, toll services and custom manufacturing located in Douglas, GA.
Prior to being named President of the Optima Chemical Group in 2001, Mr. Williams served as the company’s operations manager, where he was responsible for completing plant construction, staffing and startup on new manufacturing operations. His responsibilities also include all day-to-day operations with the company, excluding R&D.
Mr. Williams has a Bachelor of Science degree in architectural engineering from Southern Polytechnic/Georgia Institute of Technology, and his graduate studies for his Master’s degree in Engineering Management were done the University of Tennessee.
Mr. Williams is also active in his community, where he has served as President of his local Rotary Club, the board of directors for Junior Achievement, board of advisors for Big Brothers/Big Sisters, standing appointment to his local Church Leadership Council, and an industry segment liaison to the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.
Jeana Beeland
Co-Owner & Chief Human Resources Officer, CJB Industries, Inc.
Jeana Beeland
Jeana Beeland is Co-Owner and CHRO at CJB Industries, a 25 year-old family-owned, contract chemical company specializing in the agricultural market.
Prior to CJB, Jeana was Assistant Operations Manager for Levi Strauss – Valdosta facility.
Jeana joined CJB in 1998 and has assisted in various capacities over the years. She has held roles in plant management, scheduling, inventory and supply chain.
Jeana is an active member of professional organizations and in her community. She served on the City of Valdosta Board of Education, Wiregrass Foundation Board, Christ Episcopal Finance Committee and Vestry, and Georgia’s Workforce Development Board.
Jeana holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering (BSISyE) from Georgia Tech and an MBA from Valdosta State University. Jeana and her husband, Clinton, enjoy spending time with their two grown children and son-in-law. She is looking forward to being more involved in SOCMA and appreciates the work SOCMA does for our industry.
Jamie Bull
President & COO, Capital Resin Corporation
Jamie Bull
Jamie Bull is the President and COO at Capital Resin Corporation, a family-owned, chemical manufacturer based in Columbus, Ohio and established in 1976. Capital Resin specializes in resins, polymers, specialty materials, commodities as well as contract and toll manufacturing for a variety of companies in a variety of end use industries.
Mr. Bull has served as Plant Manager, General Manager, Sales and Marketing Director as well as his current roles. In addition to Capital Resin, Mr. Bull served as an officer in the US Army and enjoyed a ten-year career in the medical device industry. He holds a B.S. in Systems and Mechanical Engineering from the United States Military Academy and an MBA from Ohio University.
Jay Dickson
President, Nation Ford Chemical Company
Jay Dickson
Mr. Dickson currently serves as the President of Nation Ford Chemical (NFC), a leader in toll manufacturing and specialty chemicals located in Fort Mill, SC. A Clemson University chemical engineer, Jay joined NFC in 1989. He spent 15 years working in the plant in several different roles, including process and project engineering and technical director. As the company grew, Jay expanded his work to include global sales and new product development and has served as President for the last 15 years.
Jay’s passion is working on new projects that provide growth for the company, while providing key manufacturing solutions for NFC’s customers. Even though Jay serves as President, it’s his background in chemical engineering and working in the plant environment that drives him.
Jay is a lifetime member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and enjoys working with SOCMA on initiatives that serve the member companies and the specialty chemical industry
Alan Dyke, Ph.D.
Chief Technology Officer, Boulder Scientific Company
Alan Dyke, Ph.D.
Alan joined Boulder Scientific as Chief Technology Officer in September 2020. In this role, he oversees the company’s R&D team, kilo laboratory, pilot plant, process safety, quality management team and analytical labs. Although technically focused, he is also involved in business development and strategic planning. He is directly responsible for step change growth initiative and for agreements with external partner companies.
Before joining Boulder Scientific, Alan worked for Johnson Matthey in a number of technical and commercial roles, which most recently involved New Business Development of Advanced Precursors and Organometallic Products for applications in the micro-electronics industry, in collaboration with the Boulder Scientific team.
He graduated from the University of Bristol in the UK with a Ph.D. in Chemistry focused on Catalysis and Ligand Design.
Ephraim Honig, Ph.D.
Chief Science and Innovation Officer, Ascensus Specialties
Ephraim S. Honig, Ph.D.
In 1997 Ephraim joined Strem Chemicals Inc., a manufacturer and marketer of specialty chemicals of high purity. He has served in a variety of roles including Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Officer. In April 2021, Strem Chemicals was acquired by Ascensus Specialties, a world leader in borohydride, borane, and specialty alcoholates production, where Ephraim now serves as Chief Science and Innovation Officer.
Jeffrey Shaw
Chief Supply Chain, Quality & Business Improvement Officer, Sun Chemical Corporation
Jeffrey Shaw
Jeffrey Shaw is responsible for optimizing Sun Chemical’s entire supply chain, from the purchase of raw materials and the scheduling of the company’s plants, to managing market-based stock levels and the shipping of finished products to customers worldwide.
Prior to his current role at Sun Chemical, he worked as the Global Vice President of Integrated Supply Chain and Manufacturing at Sun Chemical for six years between 2010-2016.
Shaw holds a master’s degree in business administration from Michigan State University and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Wayne State University in Detroit.
Christopher Brotherton, President, Ortec Inc.
Christopher Brotherton
Christopher Brotherton is the President of Ortec Inc., a South Carolina polymer technology company offering custom chemical manufacturing services for life science and industrial markets. Christopher has been with Ortec over 18 years and held the roles of Marketing Manager and Corporate Vice President before assuming the presidency.
Prior to joining Ortec, Christopher was with Nalco Chemical Company where he held several positions in product marketing, international marketing, and strategic mergers & acquisitions.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Clemson University and a Master of Business Administration from Wake Forest University.
Christopher also serves on the board of Kiyatec Inc., a 3D Cell Culture Biotech company, and is a former board member and active investor with VentureSouth, an early stage venture capital firm.
David Fortune, Vice President, La Petite Roche Technologies LLC
David Fortune
David has worked in the chemical industry for the past 20 years and is currently the Vice President of La Petite Roche Technologies LLC (LPRT), a North Little Rock, AR based manufacturer of antimicrobial chemicals used in various industries, including food processing, water treatment, pulp & paper, oil & gas, and ag among others.
Prior to joining LPRT, David served as Director of Business Development for Athlon/Halliburton’s Contract Manufacturing business in Houston, TX. He began his career in chemicals as General Sales Manager and later Vice President-Chief Commercial Officer of KMCO, a manufacturer of custom and specialty chemicals with facilities located in Crosby, TX and Port Arthur, TX. LPRT, Athlon, and KMCO were/are all active members of SOCMA.
David studied Marketing and Finance at the University of Mississippi and the University of Memphis where he received his BBA in 1984. For hobbies, he enjoys photography, bicycling, golfing, traveling, and especially spending time with his three children and grandchildren.
Larry Ito, Global Commercial Director, Halliburton
Larry Ito
Mr. Larry Ito has been the Global Commercial Director of Contract Manufacturing for Halliburton since May 2018.
Prior to joining Halliburton, Mr. Ito served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Athlon Solutions, the Global Director of Contract Manufacturing for Ecolab, the Global Director of Capacity Planning and Development at Champion Technologies, and several roles of ascending responsibility at Dow Chemical, involving research and development, management, and procurement functions.
Mr. Ito holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Chemistry from Creighton University, a PhD from the University of Minnesota (specializing in inorganic chemistry), and a Master of Business Administration from Michigan State University with a focus in integrative management.
William Kersey, Executive Vice President, AVATAR Corporation
William Kersey
William (Bill) Kersey is the Executive Vice President of Avatar Corporation. Bill joined Avatar Corporation January 2010. During his tenure with Avatar he has served in a variety of roles, which included Business Development Manager, Vice President of Sales and Marketing and his current role of Executive Vice President.
Bill was responsible for implementation of Avatar’s Terminal and Switching services with the creation of a Class III Terminal and Switching Railroad, Gateway Industrial Railroad, LLC, a wholly own subsidiary of Avatar Corporation, to support future growth opportunities within Avatar Corporation as well as provide services to the other companies in the industrial park.
Before joining Avatar Corporation, Bill worked for Fuchs Lubricants and Fiske Brothers Refining Company, (LUBRIPLATE) in roles ranging from Technical Manager to Product and Market Manager with global responsibilities. During this period, Bill served ten years on the Board of the National Lubricating Grease Institute (NLGI), including positions of Treasurer and Vice-President.
Bill is also a member of the Society of Triboligist and Lubrication Engineers for over thirty years in the Detroit, Kansas City, and Chicago Sections.
Clayton Pace, President, ChemQuest Chemicals LLC, a Seatex Company
Clayton Pace
Clayton Pace is President – Commercial and Technology Operations for Seatex LLC since its acquisition of ChemQuest Chemicals by Seatex in September 2022. Prior to that, Mr. Pace was President and CEO of ChemQuest Chemicals LLC, a contract chemical processor located in Pasadena, TX.
Prior to acquiring ChemQuest in October of 2015 with equity partners, Mr. Pace was President and CEO of Quad Electronics dba Cablcon, a fiber optic and copper cable assembly provider and central office power cable supplier to the telecommunications industry headquartered in Troy, Michigan.
In addition to serving on the Boards of ChemQuest, Cablcon, Equa-Chlor, and Helena Industries, he has served a Board Director for South Georgia Technical Institute and as Board Director for Centracore LLC, an automotive components supplier and a Board Director for ATIS – Alliance for Telecommunication Industry Solutions headquartered in Washington, DC. He currently serves as a Director on the Board of the Houston Ship Channel Security District, a government and industry partnership that provides funds and coordination for the security of the Houston Ship Channel and the Port of Houston.
Mr. Pace’s professional career includes positions in the specialty chemical, polymer, and engineering and construction industries. He has extensive international experience having worked in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
Mr. Pace holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from Mississippi State University. He has been married to his wife, Chris, for 38 years and they have one daughter.
Cynthia Peterson, CEO, Howard Industries
Cynthia Peterson
Cynthia Peterson is the Chief Executive Officer of Howard Industries, Inc., which is a provider of chemical processing services such as mixing, blending, milling, drying, classifying, particle size reduction, contract manufacturing and repackaging. Howard Industries was founded in 1963 and is located in Columbus, Ohio.
Trained as a lawyer, Cynthia spent her early career in private practice and has worked for both privately held and publicly traded corporations. Active in the community, she has served on numerous boards. Cindy became CEO of Howard Industries in 2015.
Phillip Bales, VP, Business Development, Genesis Custom Chemical Blending
Phillip Bales
Phillip Bales is the Vice President of Business Development at Genesis Custom Chemical Blending, a subsidiary of Smart Chemical Solutions. Located just south of Dallas in Ennis, Texas, Genesis specializes in toll manufacturing and specialty chemicals in the oil and gas, pulp and paper, industrial, and Ag industries.
Prior to joining Genesis, Phillip worked at both Baker Hughes and Halliburton, where he held several positions in the oil and gas industry.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Economics from Texas Tech University and a Master of Business Administration from West Texas A&M University. Phillip is a long-standing member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and past Board Chairman for the Permian Basin SPE. He enjoys time with family and ranching.
Jeff Barnes, President & CEO, Nachurs Alpine Solutions
Jeff Barnes
Jeff Barnes serves as the President and CEO of Nachurs Alpine Solutions, a leading North American specialty liquid chemical manufacturer that supplies several markets including agricultural, energy, transportation, as well as various other industrial markets.
Jeff joined Nachurs Alpine Solutions in 2007 becoming the CEO in 2014. He is based at the Nachurs Alpine Solutions headquarters in Marion, Ohio.
Jeff has over 25 years of experience in senior management positions. Before joining Nachurs Alpine Solutions he worked for Electrolux/Frigidaire and General Electric. He has worked in northeast Italy and Buenos Aires, Argentina as well as various locations in the United States.
Jeff has a Bachelor of Science degree from Muskingum University and a Masters of Business Administration from The Ohio State University. He and his wife, Dorothy, live in Dublin, Ohio.
Jose Maria Bermudez, Chief Executive Officer, Viakem SA de CV
Jose Maria Bermudez
Jose Maria Bermudez is the Chief Executive Officer of Viakem, a global player in the fine chemicals sector serving the custom manufacturing needs in the Agrochemical industry, headquartered in Monterrey, NL Mexico.
Bermudez has served in a variety of senior leadership roles with Dow Chemical (and previously Rohm and Haas) for more than 32 years. His professional career includes roles in Operations, Human Resources, Geographic leadership and Business Management in a diverse group of markets like Agrochemicals, Coatings & Construction, Personal Care, Mining, Oil & Gas, and Paper throughout the Americas.
Before his current role, Bermudez was President, General Manager for Dow Mexico and during that time also took the responsibility as Chairman of the Board of ANIQ, Mexico Chemical Industry Association (2017-2019).
Bermudez holds an MBA from Vanderbilt University, a MS in Quality Management from Tampa College and a BS degree in Chemical Engineering from University of Las Americas Puebla Mexico. He has also completed Executive programs at Wharton School (Marketing) and Cornell University (HR). Bermudez currently serves on the Board of Directors of United Way Latin America, American Society of Mexico AC as well as in the advisory board of ANIQ.
Brian Burkhart, Ph.D., VP, Fine Chemicals, Milliken & Company
Brian Burkhart, Ph.D.
Brian is Vice President of Fine Chemicals for Milliken & Company, a role he has been in since 2018. He has served in a multitude of other roles within Milliken from 2000, while also working for SiVance, LLC (a specialty silicones division of Milliken) as Commercial Director, 2017-2018, before entering into his current role.
Specific roles and responsibilities under Brian’s direction include Global P & L analysis; sales, marketing, applications development and research activities for the Fine Chemical Products division (silicones, semiconductor chemicals, and fine chemical sales).
Brian also serves on the Board of Directors for the SC Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics Foundation (2018 – present). He lives in Ohio with his wife Julie. They have two grown children, a son Danny and daughter Rachel.
Adam Pingel, VP, Manufacturing Operations, Monument Chemical
About Adam
As Vice President of Manufacturing, Adam leads all global manufacturing activities, including Health, Safety, Environment & Security, Quality, Production Operations, Engineering & Capital Planning. Adam joined Monument in 2009 and has held a range of positions, including Operations Manager and Site Leader at various facilities.
Prior to joining Monument, Adam worked for a private technology company that partnered with several businesses and municipalities across the U.S. In this role, Adam held a variety of positions within R&D, engineering design, wastewater treatment technologies and project management.
In the earliest days of his career, Adam was an active-duty member of the U.S. Navy; he was stationed on the USS Frederick in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. His service spanned areas of the South Pacific and Southeast Asia.
Adam holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University, and he also completed the Enterprise Executive Program at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.
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