Warsaw, Poland-May 26, 2004-Stephen Wood, Chief Executive Officer of Kraton Polymers Business, a producer of block copolymers, was elected International President of the International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers (IISRP) for the year 2004-05 at the association’s 45th annual meeting here today.
He succeeds Zdzislaw Ingielewicz, President and General Manager of Dwory S.A.. Mr. Ingielewicz now becomes the International Past President.
Mr. Wood held a number of senior roles during his 25-year career with Shell Chemicals. As President of Shell’s Elastomers Business, Stephen had global responsibility for the KRATON Polymers business and Shell’s range of General Purpose Rubbers, including ESBR, BR and IR. He successfully managed the KRATON sale to Ripplewood Holdings LLC from Shell in February 2001 and then later to Texas Pacific Group in 2003.
Stephen has gained wide industry knowledge during his career, spanning bulk petrochemicals, polymers, lubricants and retail. He has crossed marketing, manufacturing and project management boundaries with key positions within Shell such as Head of Olefins, Polyolefins, PET and Strategic and Corporate Planning Manager. His experience extends globally and he has worked in the USA, Latin America and Asia Pacific, as well as Europe.
In addition to Mr. Wood, others elected to the Institute Executive Committee for the year 2004-05 are:
- Zdzislaw Ingielewicz of Dwory S.A., International Past President;
- Far East Section: Yang Jigang of PetroChina, President; Nobuyuki Takahashi of UBE Industries, Vice President.
- European Section: Igor Golberg of Efremov, President; Maurits Van Tol of DSM Elastomers, Vice President.
- Americas Section: Steve Wood of Kraton, who will also serve as section President; Jorge Pelaez of DESC, Vice President.
In addition the IISRP has restructured the composition of the Executive Committee by eliminating the Second Vice President position. The Board of Directors elected to install members of IISRP’s Performance Review Committee (PRC) as standing members of the Executive Committee. Members are Art Sullivan of ExxonMobil, Roger Morgan of Kraton Polymers and Nobuyuki Takahashi of UBE Industries. Jacques Collonge will continue as Treasurer and will also chair the PRC. James L. McGraw Managing Director & CEO will continue as Secretary and Assistant Treasurer.
The IISRP is an international not-for-profit association with 46 corporate members domiciled in 21 countries who produce 95 percent of the world’s supply of synthetic rubber. Incorporated in 1960 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, the Institute supports regional offices in London and Tokyo.
