J. Lawrence Wilson Joins ChemConnect Board
Former Rohm and Haas CEO Brings 35 Years of Leadership to Board of Directors of World's Leading Online Chemicals and Plastics Exchange
ChemConnect Inc., the world's largest global Internet exchange for all types of chemicals and plastics, today announced that J. Lawrence Wilson, former chairman and chief executive officer of Rohm and Haas, has joined the ChemConnect Board of Directors.
"We are honored to have Larry Wilson choose to join ChemConnect's Board, " said John Beasley, ChemConnect CEO. "He shares our vision for the future of commerce in the chemical industry and will actively work with us in achieving our strategic objectives."
Wilson, who joined Rohm and Haas in 1965, became its CEO in 1988. He retired in September 1999. Under Wilson's leadership, Rohm and Haas merged with Morton International, creating a global specialty chemical company, with leadership positions in adhesives, specialty coatings, electronic materials, and salt -- and with combined annual revenues of $6.5 billion. Respected throughout the industry for his forward-looking leadership, his integrity, insight, and fairness, Wilson also spearheaded the company's decision to make an equity investment in ChemConnect, becoming a Charter Member with a seat at the ChemConnect Roundtable.
Wilson began his career at Rohm and Haas 35 years ago as an operations research analyst. During his career, he served in a variety of key roles at Rohm and Haas. He was president of a Rohm and Haas medical products subsidiary, director of the European Region, treasurer and chief financial officer, business director for the Industrial Chemicals group, group vice president in charge of the company's Administrative and Finance Division and the Corporate Business Department, and vice chairman.
Wilson is the former chairman of the Chemical Manufacturers Association and the 1999 recipient of the Chemical Industry Medal from the American Section of the Society of Chemical Industry. Wilson holds a BS in mechanical engineering from Vanderbilt University. He graduated with an MBA in Finance from Harvard University in 1963. He also served as an officer in the U.S. Navy from 1958 to 1961.
ChemConnect is the Internet's largest global chemical electronic marketplace for all types of chemicals and plastics. Manufacturers, buyers, and intermediaries, around the world, use ChemConnect's World Chemical Exchange, an open, neutral market, to find trading partners, negotiate pricing and complete transactions online. Members of ChemConnect increase profits by gaining access to new markets, save from reducing transaction costs and benefit from up-to-the-minute market information. Founded in 1995, ChemConnect is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in Houston, Philadelphia, Singapore and London. Top-tier investment firms including Institutional Venture Partners (IVP), Weiss, Peck & Greer, Goldman Sachs, CMEA Ventures, and Highland Capital Partners back the company. Andersen Consulting, The Dow Chemical Company, Eastman Chemical Company and Rohm & Haas are also equity investors in ChemConnect. For more information, visit the company's website at www.chemconnect.com.