May 12, 2011

Stanley W. Silverman, former president and CEO of PQ Corporation, has been named chairman of the Drexel University College of Medicine Board of Trustees. A Drexel alumnus, Silverman has served on the University's board of trustees for 11 years and the College of Medicine board for four. He replaces Manny Stamatakis, who announced earlier this year that he would step down as chairman of the board in May.

Richard A. Greenawalt, chairman of the University's board of trustees, made the announcement May 11.

"Stan has been a highly supportive, knowledgeable and committed trustee for the College of Medicine for several years now," said Greenawalt. "During that time, he has made a great impact and I look forward to his leadership and continued support in the years to come."

Silverman, who received an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering and an MBA from Drexel, currently chairs the finance committee for the University's board of trustees. He also sits on the advisory board for Drexel's LeBow College of Business.

"Drexel is fortunate to have an active and committed group of trustees who are passionate about our mission. No one exemplifies these qualities more than Manny Stamatakis," said Drexel University President John A. Fry. "We are extremely thankful for Manny's tireless leadership over the years and are grateful that he will continue as a member of the College of Medicine board as he steps down from his role as board chairman. I am confident that Stan will pick up right where Manny left off, resulting in a seamless transition going forward."

"I have enjoyed leading the board for the past 13 years and have witnessed firsthand the tremendous progress that has been made during that time," said Stamatakis. "I know that Stan Silverman will continue to move the medical school forward."

President and Annenberg Dean of the College of Medicine Richard V. Homan, MD, said, "Stan's strong stewardship as a trustee, his experience and insights will provide innovative leadership and vision to the board as we continue to advance the mission and great work of the College of Medicine."

During his 33-year career at PQ Corporation, a privately held global company focused on two core businesses, chemicals and engineered glass materials, Silverman held positions in engineering, operations planning, marketing, sales, and business unit executive management. He served as president and CEO and a member of PQ's board from 2000 to 2005.

Silverman has served as a guest lecturer on executive leadership at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and at the LeBow College of Business, where he holds the position of executive in residence. He is a director on the boards of Met-Pro, Inc., Femco Holdings, LLC, Exocor, Inc., innRoad, Inc. and Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania. He formerly served on the boards of Schulman, Inc. and C&D Technologies, Inc.

Silverman began his business career as a process engineer at Atlantic Richfield, subsequently acquired by BP, a global energy company. In addition to his degrees from Drexel, he completed the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard Business School.