Panel Discussion: Leadership in Chemical Engineering
Join past and present Chemical Engineers from Drexel University as we discuss evolving career opportunities with your academic training. Over breakfast and lunch, alumni will share experiences with current students. Panelists will discuss the topic Leadership in Chemical Engineering.
Career paths of the panelists in these sectors will be illustrated. You will have the opportunity to learn from their experiences and network with alumni across the industries.
Saturday, April 28, 2018
9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Bossone Atrium, 3rd Floor
MODERATOR:
Michael F. Barry
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President
Quaker Chemical Corporation
Michael F. Barry joined Quaker Chemical Corporation in 1998. On May 13, 2009, Mr. Barry was elected as Chairman of the Board, in addition to his current position as Chief Executive Officer and President which he has held since October 2008. He first became a member of the Board in October 2008. Prior to this position, he was the Company’s Senior Vice President and Managing Director – North America, beginning January 2006. In that role, he was responsible for all aspects of the steel and metalworking/coatings businesses throughout North America, including two subsidiaries, AC Products, Inc. and Epmar Corporation. Mr. Barry was named Senior Vice President and Global Industry Leader – Metalworking and Coatings in July 2005 with responsibility for the Company’s global metalworking and coatings businesses through December 2005. From January 2004 through June 2005, he held the position of Vice President and Global Industry Leader – Industrial Metalworking and Coatings and from 1998 through August 2004, he held the position of Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
Mr. Barry joined Quaker from Lyondell (formerly Arco Chemical) where he was Business Director for its Americas urethanes business and also held various finance and line management positions. In addition to graduating from Drexel University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering, he earned a Master's Degree with Distinction from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Barry also serves as a Director of Rogers Corporation, a global technology leader in the development and manufacture of high performance, specialty-material-based products for applications in diverse markets. In addition, Mr. Barry is on the Board of Trustees of The Franklin Institute, one of the oldest and most respected science museums in the country located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
PANELISTS
Amber M. Shook, CSCP
Amber Shook is problem solver sought out to fix and revamp global teams for short-term results and long-term impact. Currently, Amber is the Director of Global Supply Chain for Catalent Pharma Solutions, a major player in the Pharmaceutical CMO landscape. Amber spent 17 years, including co-ops working for Chemical Giant DuPont, in various operations leadership and Global Supply Chain Roles. Amber expanded her knowledge of various businesses, taking leadership roles in Michelin, Coca-Cola Refreshments as well.
Amber has a passion for a good challenge both in and out of the workplace. She loves to spend time outdoors and finding new adventures for the family. Amber spends free time with her three children and her husband, also a Drexel grad.
Amber received her BSChE from Drexel University in 1998, and earned an MBA degree from University of North Carolina, Kenan-Flagler Business School in 2017. Amber is certified by APICS CSCP, and is Six Sigma Black Belt and Lean certified.
Robert Stewart
Managing Director Operations, North America, Croda
Over 34 years of US and expatriate management experience in Specialty Chemicals with world-class companies of Rohm and Haas, Celanese, ICI and now Croda. Experience in research, manufacturing and operations related to complex chemical production, scale-up, plant design, construction, commissioning, start-up and new product development. Extensive knowledge and experience with unionized workforces, contract negotiations, OSHA VPP Star program, production and inventory forecasting and plant economics. Experience with renewable energy projects such as landfill gas to energy and solar.
Graduated Magna cum Laude from Drexel University in Philadelphia PA with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering. While an expatriate in the UK completed MBA course work at Durham University.
Started career with Rohm and Haas in R&D for Ion Exchange resins obtaining a patent for a reactive distillation process. Held positions of increasing responsibility over 22 years including lead technical engineer and start-up manager for a new Biocide facility in Houston Texas, business manager for Specialty Magnesia and several plant manager positions including one in the UK. Left Rohm and Haas for position as Director of Operations for Celanese PVOH business. This included responsibility for two large petrochemical facilities in Houston Texas and Calvert City Kentucky as well as pilot plant and tolling operations. While at Celanese became a certified six sigma green belt. Joined ICI now Croda as Site Director for the Atlas Point facility in New Castle Delaware. Currently Managing Director of Operations for the Americas for Croda with responsibility for all aspects of operations including manufacturing, capital deployment, supply chain, customer service and procurement. Senior Project Manager for the first US production facility to produce ethylene oxide from ethanol.
Robert Summerhayes
President, Operational Improvement Services LLC
Mr. Summerhayes has spent a career in a variety of senior manufacturing and supply chain operations leadership positions at The Rohm and Haas Company, The Dow Chemical Company, Houghton International, and Innocor. These roles included both daily operational responsibilities (run-the-business) and improvement/optimization functions including delivering world class EHS performance, S&OP development, network optimization, manufacturing synchronous flow improvement and organizational structuring for manufacturing, supply chain and procurement operations.
Bob is currently President of Operational Improvement Services, LLC, which provides independent consulting services to several clients in support of their progress towards manufacturing and SC operational excellence leverage his years of experience in the chemical industry.
A Chemical Engineering graduate of The Catholic University of America, he also holds a Masters in Chemical Engineering from MIT and currently provides academic and professional tutoring at HopeWorks in Camden, NJ, a web and GIS development vocational training and education center.
Jennifer McIntyre
Chief Supply Chain Operations Officer, Univar
Ms. McIntyre joined Univar in June 2013 as Vice President of Regional Supply Chain. She has led USA Operations, Planning, Transportation and Continuous Improvement since December 2014. Jen moved into the Chief Supply Chain Operations Officer role in January 2018 taking on responsibility for the Global Supply Chain of Univar including responsibility for Environmental, Health, Safety and Quality. She has more than 30 years of experience in the chemical industry and served in several senior leadership positions at Rohm and Haas, a subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company that manufactures specialty chemicals, and with The Dow Chemical Company, one of the world’s largest chemical manufacturers. Jen earned her bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Drexel University in 1987 and holds an M.S. degree in Engineering Geology also from Drexel University.
CBE Alumni Panel Archives