Degree(s) and Year(s) Degree(s) Conferred: Ph.D., 1978
Graduate Academic Program(s) at Penn State: Organic Chemistry
Professional Title: Global Technology Manager, Surface Protection Solutions (retired)
Employer: The Chemours Company/E.I. Du Pont De Nemours & Co., Inc.; Founder, BeachEdge Consulting, LLC
Briefly describe your professional career, including your employment history and notable accomplishments
- Started with DuPont as Research Chemist in Dec 1977; Group Supervisor 1982; Financial Analyst – 3 years; Direct Field Sales – 2 years; Technical Service Consultant – 1 year; R&D and TS Manager – 3 years; Regional Sales Manager – 1 year; Business Re-engineering & Development – 2 years; Business Manager – Surfactants & Coatings & Pharmaceuticals – 6 years, 1996-2002; Global Technology Manager in Surface Protection Solutions – 2002 – 2015 (started in 2000 – dual role). Retired 31 July 2015
- Started BeachEdge Consulting, LLC in August 2015
- Adjunct Professor at Penn State Brandywine beginning Spring 2016
Major Accomplishments:
- Re-engineered complete business unit in 1994-1996, Journey to Profitable Businesses
- Acquisition of Pharmaceuticals business in Sweden in 1994-1995
- Led business technology & supply chain transformation from older legacy chemistry to new more sustainable offering including all products and all global plants during period 2000-2012.
- Chair of Global Industry Groups during period 2001-2015.
Outside of the DuPont Career:
- From 1984-2011 (27 years) was Business & Financial Manager of family veterinary business; 6-doctor AAHA-accredited hospital.
While at Penn State
- Fall 1973 – Dec 1977 Ph.D. Graduate Program in Chemistry. Worked with two faculty advisers. Research led to over 15 publications and one book.
Please list honors, awards, and professional achievements
- 2000 Marketing Excellence Award – Coatings
- 2007 ‘Triple Crown’ Excellence Award Winner: Marketing , Engineering and Sustainability for Technology & Supply Chain Transformation. Only such winner in history of DuPont program.
- Over 40 total publications in chemistry, analytical methods, toxicology and environmental fate & effects with a greater number of presentations to Customers, Regulators & Conferences. The January 2006, Scientific Publication in Environmental Science & Technology (ES&T) is one of that journals most cited articles (>1000 citations)
Please provide any advice to graduate students related to career exploration
Look for a place to work that excites you, where you can begin to achieve your goals and you can work on something you are passionate about. Understand that you may need to be flexible in what you initially work on or where you work. Try to be flexible in terms of geography to give you more job options. Always look to build your skills – always throughout your career. Never rest on your laurels – continued active learning is critical. Always do the best job you can in the job you are in while at the same time insure you have viable options for yourself. Build your networks from Day 1. And always have fun at what you do.