[new_royalslider id=”70″]Vergnano to head DuPont performance chemical spin-off
DuPont announced Executive Vice President Mark P. Vergnano will serve as CEO of the new, independent $7 billion Performance Chemicals company after its separation from DuPont, which is expected to occur in second quarter 2015. BC Chong and Thierry F.J. Vanlancker will continue to respectively lead the Titanium Technologies and Chemicals & Fluoroproducts businesses within Performance Chemicals.
“Establishing the core leadership of the new Performance Chemicals company is a key milestone in creating two strong yet distinct companies that deliver maximum value for our shareholders,” said DuPont Ellen Kullman. “The appointments of Mark, BC and Thierry reflect the importance of ensuring top industry leadership is solidly in place as we advance and execute our plan. They have a wealth of industry experience and insight, bringing a deep passion and commitment for customers, employees and shareholders.”
Vergnano, 55, is currently Executive Vice President of DuPont and his responsibilities include oversight of the Performance Chemicals segment since 2009. With 33 years’ experience at DuPont, Vergnano has held a diverse range of business, manufacturing and technical leadership positions around the world – including leading several global businesses. He is a member of the board of directors of Johnson Controls, Inc. and the U.S. National Safety Council.
“Performance Chemicals has talented and experienced employees, and valuable customer and partner relationships worldwide. I am honored to be named to this position and I look forward to growing the value of the new company for our shareholders,” Vergnano said. “After separation, Performance Chemicals will be a leading global industrial company with industry-leading products and strong cash flow. We have an outstanding legacy to build on for the future.”
As president of the Titanium Technologies business, Chong, 52, possesses knowledge of the growing Asia Pacific marketplace with most of his 25 years at DuPont based in that region. Chong has been assigned to a variety of business, sales and operations leadership positions before leading the Titanium Technologies business for the last three years.
Ware joins Gallo office
Sandra Ware joined BerkshireHathaway Home Services Gallo Realtors at its Lewes office.
Ware, who grew up in Delaware has been a working commercial real estate practitioner in her home state for more than 17 years. She currently owns Bay Breeze Properties, LLC.
Ware is active in land issues and is co-founder and past president of the Positive Growth Alliance. “Understanding the principles of land use on county and local levels gives me a depth of knowledge that benefits my clients,” Ware said. “Staying on top of local issues takes time, but it’s well worth it when it comes to matching buyers and sellers accurately.”
She serves the community as a statewide board member for United Way of Delaware and was a charter member of the Rehoboth Beach-Lewes Sunrise Club. She also serves as a CASA volunteer for Family Court, advocating for children.
Fish & Richard names principals
Fish & Richardson has named Jeremy Anderson and Martina Tyreus Hufnal as principals in the firm’s IP Litigation Group and Eifion Phillips as a principal in its Patent Group in Wilmington. In total, 19 attorneys were elevated to principal across the firm’s 12 offices.
Jeremy Anderson has extensive experience litigating business disputes involving mergers and acquisitions, stock appraisal, indemnification of officers and directors, demands for corporate records, trade secrets, patents, and complex commercial matters in the Delaware Court of Chancery, the Supreme Court of Delaware, and the District of Delaware.
Martina Tyreus Hufnal will continue to focus her practice on intellectual property litigation, focusing on patent litigation. Her patent litigation practice covers a wide range of technologies, including chemicals and life sciences litigation. Prior to joining the firm, she clerked for the Honorable Sue L. Robinson, United States District Court for the District of Delaware.
Eifion Phillips will continue to focus his practice on patent prosecution, primarily in the fields of organic chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology. Dr. Phillips was previously a research scientist at AstraZeneca in Wilmington.
Fish & Richardson is a global law firm providing strategic counseling and litigation services to innovative clients who seek to protect and maximize the value of their intellectual property (IP). Founded in 1878,
Fish’s early clients included Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison and the Wright Brothers. The firm has more than 400 attorneys and technology specialists practicing IP strategy and counseling, IP litigation, and commercial litigation.
Directors named for PRSA chapter
The members of the Public Relations Society of America, Delaware Chapter recently elected two new directors to its board. Anthony Farina and Jean Toman will serve a two-year term.
Anthony Farina, of Newark, was elected to a member-at-large position. Farina, who has more than 25 years of experience in the profession, is the global director of corporate communications at DuPont.
Prior to DuPont, Farina was executive director of communications and press secretary for former Governor Thomas Carper and served on the National Governors Association’s Communications Leadership Council.
Jean Toman, of Newark, was elected to the assembly delegate position. Toman has been the director of public relations and programs with Associated Builders and Contractors Delaware since 1998. Previously, Toman was a broadcast journalist and newspaper editor. They will be joined by other officers re-elected to the board:
President & APR Chairwoman: Nikki Lavoie, APR, corporate communications manager, Sallie Mae President-Elect: Kate Klemas, vice president of customer communications, JP Morgan Chase Treasurer: Jeff Jackson, grant writer, Goodwill of Delaware and Delaware County
Secretary: Allison Taylor Levine, APR, director of marketing & communications, Delaware Community Foundation At-Large: Doug Eppler, communications manager, Tipton Communications At-Large: Abby Ecker, communications & connecting director, The Journey Church Immediate Past President: Spiros Mantzavinos, principal, The Mantzavinos Group.
Debbie Shearer earns designation
Kathy Sperl-Bell, broker and Bill Bell, Realtor and co-owners of Active Adults Realty located at 1504 Savannah Road in Lewes announced that Debbie Shearer, Realtor has successfully completed the Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) Designation Course.
Completion of the Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) Designation Course is an essential step for Realtors in understanding the distinct real estate goals, concerns, and needs of seniors today.
“Boomers… what we like to call adults over the age of 50, represent over 20% of the U.S. population,” said Kathy Sperl-Bell, broker at Active Adults Realty. “By completing this course, Debbie now knows the differences in senior housing options, from age-restricted communities to aging-in-place design concepts to alternative assisted living situations. In addition, real estate agents possessing the SRES designation can safely counsel the 50+ market on the ins and outs of reverse mortgages; the use of pensions, 401k accounts, and IRAs in real estate transactions and are therefore able to provide superior service to this portion of the population.”
