Ashland Inc. Names Shannon Executive Vice President, Chemical Sector Global Supply Chain

COVINGTON, Ky., June 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Michael J. Shannon has been promoted to executive vice president for Ashland's Chemical Sector global supply chain, effective August 1. The announcement was made by Gary A. Cappeline, president and chief operating officer of the Chemical Sector of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), to whom Shannon will report.

 

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The Chemical Sector's global supply chain organization is comprised of purchasing, logistics and operations. In his new role, Shannon will be responsible for creating common, global supply chain processes across Ashland's three Chemical Sector divisions: Ashland Distribution, Ashland Specialty Chemical and Valvoline. Shannon most recently served as senior vice president, Thermoset Resins, Ashland Specialty Chemical.

"Mike has emerged as a true thought leader in the integration of our Chemical Sector divisions," said Cappeline. "He has successfully led our Thermoset businesses, generating strong volume growth, while containing costs, to drive income growth. As mega process owner for the Sector supply chain, Mike has already played a pivotal role in building the foundation for an integrated, global supply chain."

Cappeline emphasized the importance of a global supply chain for Ashland's Chemical Sector. "We are a $6 billion chemical business with customers and operations around the globe -- and we are growing. Creation of an integrated, seamless supply chain is a true linchpin of our strategic intent to enable all stakeholders to realize the full value of a single, global chemical enterprise. I have every confidence in Mike's ability to lead the integration of these most critical customer-centric processes."

Shannon will continue to serve as a member of the Chemical Sector Operating Committee, the governing body of Ashland's chemical businesses. Reporting to him will be Larry A. Baker, vice president, global operations and engineering, Chemical Sector; Elizabeth "Liz" Potts, vice president, purchasing, Chemical Sector; and Ed Kelly, director, supply chain optimization, Chemical Sector.

Shannon's career at Ashland has been marked by sustained growth in his responsibilities. He joined Ashland in 1984 as a process engineer with Ashland Specialty Chemical's Composite Polymers plant in Philadelphia, Pa., and he was promoted to assistant manufacturing manager for the business in 1987. He then served in planning and development, and purchasing. He returned to Composite Polymers as international technical manager. He later served in various business development roles prior to assuming the position of business manager for the base resin distribution unit and then manufacturing director. In 2000, Shannon was promoted to vice president and general manager of the Petrochemical Division and vice president of the Engineering Department. He was promoted to senior vice president of Thermoset Resins in August 2002.

A native of West Chester, Pa., Shannon earned a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and a master's degree in business administration from Temple University. He also is a graduate of the executive development programs at Harvard Business School and Indiana University.

Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) is a Fortune 500 transportation construction, chemicals and petroleum company providing products, services and customer solutions throughout the world. To learn more about Ashland, visit www.ashland.com .

SOURCE  Ashland Inc.
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