The Chemours Company (Chemours), a global chemistry company with leading market positions in titanium technologies, fluoroproducts and chemical solutions, today announced that board member Stephen D. Newlin will not seek reelection to the Chemours Board of Directors; he will continue to serve on the Board for the remainder of his term until the company's 2018 Annual Meeting.
Chemours Chairman of the Board, Richard H. Brown, made clear his appreciation for Mr. Newlin's contributions: "We thank Steve for his dedicated service to Chemours. He's played an important role in the company's success to date. That said, we understand and fully support his pursuit of a more desirable work-life balance, and wish him all the best in his future pursuits." Mr. Newlin has been a member of The Chemours Company Board of Directors since the company's formation as an independent company in July 2015. Said Chemours President and CEO Mark Vergnano, "Steve's presence has resulted in many significant accomplishments for the company, including the dramatic transformation of Chemours into the strong, fiscally healthy organization it is today." Vergnano added, "We are extremely grateful for the work he has done, work that has helped lay the very foundation we will build upon as we move Chemours into its next exciting chapter of growth." In making the decision not to seek reelection, Mr. Newlin cited the need for more personal time. "Having been with Chemours since the beginning," he said, "has been an honor and a pleasure for me. Now is the right time for me to spend more time with my family as the company is in a great place, has completed its transformation plan, and is pivoting to a growth strategy. I am confident in the leadership of the company and in its future."
Edwin Sparks, currently Director of Corporate Strategy for Chemours, will be promoted to the role of president
Chemours announced that Chris Siemer, president of Chemical Solutions and the company's chief transformation officer, has announced his intention to leave the company following a brief transition period. Effective April 1, Edwin Sparks, currently Director of Corporate Strategy for Chemours, will be promoted to the role of president, Chemical Solutions. In addition, Ed will provide leadership and support to Chemours' Transformation Office as the company continues its efforts to renew and improve.
In his role as business president, Mr. Siemer made significant contributions to the company's performance. He led the evaluation and optimization of the Chemical Solutions portfolio, resulting in the profitable sale of two business segments and the generation of significant net proceeds. As transformation leader, Mr. Siemer spearheaded work that delivered significant cost reductions and organizational health improvements for Chemours—a critical component of the company's highly successful five-point transformation plan, completed in 2017.
Chemours President and CEO, Mark Vergnano made clear his gratitude for Siemer's presence on his executive team. Said Vergnano, "From the challenges we faced as a start-up to stabilizing and transforming the company, Chris has demonstrated tremendous personal leadership and delivered significant results. He has been a model of tenacity, resilience, and goodwill to the entire organization."
Vergnano added, "After spending 37 years in the Chemical Industry, I am excited for Chris to be able to take time for himself and his lovely wife Anne. I, along with the entire Chemours family of which Chris will always be a part, wish him everything good in the future."
Ed Sparks brings to his new role over two decades of deep and wide-ranging experience at DuPont and Chemours, having worked with distinction on strategy, manufacturing site operations, and technology, as well as in sales and commercial leadership. He started at the New Johnsonville, Tennessee Titanium Technologies plant in 1994 and worked in that business for 20-plus years before assuming his current position leading corporate strategy. As strategy lead, Ed has worked across the breadth of Chemours, guiding decisions on both investments and issues management.
Said Vergnano, "Ed will bring seasoned judgment and rich experience to his new role. We are fortunate to have someone of his caliber well prepared to step into this role."
