Excel Polymers recently added several key members to its skilled team to assist in the company’s overall initiatives of unparalleled responsiveness and customer service, cutting-edge technological advancements and high quality products. Their extensive experience in the polymer product industry will further enhance our capabilities.

Dale W. Dodrill has been named Executive Vice President of Excel Polymers. Dodrill was Chairman, President and CEO of Michelin’s American Synthetic Rubber business from 1979 to 1996. He was formerly president and a director of the International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers. A graduate of West Virginia University with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Dodrill will be working from Excel Polymers’ headquarters in Solon, Ohio.

Henry C. Ashton as been named Director of Product Development, adding to the company’s growing advanced technology capabilities. Ashton most recently was Director of Industrial Technology for Huber Engineering Materials, a division of J.M. Huber Corporation of Atlanta. Prior to joining Huber, Ashton held several positions with GE Specialty Chemicals. He brings more than 20 years of global and technical polymers experience to Excel.

Ashton, who will be located in the Solon headquarters, holds a Ph.D. in Organometallic Chemistry from the National University of Ireland.

Gloria Sieloff is the Manager of LEAN Process Improvement. Sieloff, who will be located in Solon, has 15 years experience leading cross-functional teams to improve process efficiencies, including a Six Sigma Black Belt certification and LEAN Manufacturing expertise. Prior to Excel, Sieloff was the Director of Corporate Quality and Regulatory Affairs at Lesco, Inc. She was the LEXAN Process Improvement leader at GE Plastics, and also has relevant work experience from Glastic Corporation. Her unique background also includes a proven track record of facilitating products to market in a timely and profitable manner. She has a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Emory University, a master’s degree from Georgia Institute of Technology and a bachelor’s degree in Science from Wayne State University.

Laurel Manthey joins Excel has an account manager in the performance additives business, bringing more than 25 years of achievement in sales and marketing with basic, fine and specialty chemicals. She most recently managed and directed the marketing and business development for organic peroxides, anti-fouling and suspending agents into high polymer applications for Akzo Nobel Polymer Chemicals LLC. She has prior experience with Atofina (Elf Atochem) Chemicals, Inc. She also spent several years with British Petroleum (BP), having experience in both sales of chemicals and sourcing of corporate materials and negotiating national supply contracts. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and an MBA from Baldwin Wallace College. Manthey will work out of the Chicago area.

Mark Ewing also joins the team as an account manager for performance additives, bringing 25 years of sales experience in diversified technical markets, including specialty chemicals, petrochemicals, elastomers and plastics. Ewing’s most recent experience was with Dow Chemical where he was responsible for sales account management and development of plastic wire and cable compounds for power utility and telecommunications markets. Prior to that position, Ewing was involved in new polymer technology products in target market areas such as automotive and industrial hose and sealing systems and with major rubber and plastic compounders. Ewing holds a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Wittenberg University and an MBA from University of Dayton. He will work out of the northeast Ohio area.

Eric Qin has been named regional purchasing manager in China. In this role, Qin will support the company’s Nanhui plant in Shanghai, China, and will be primarily responsible for identifying raw materials sources throughout Asia. Initially focusing on Chinese suppliers, Qin also will look to India and other global marketplaces to identify opportunities for growth. Qin most recently was an assistant purchasing manager for Degussa, a multinational corporation aligned to high-yield specialty chemistry with headquarters in Dusseldorf, Germany. At Degussa, Qin sourced materials in China for export throughout the world. He has also held purchasing positions with GE Toshiba Silicones and Henkel and worked in sales for the American Philand Company. A graduate of the East China University of Science and Technology with a degree in polymer chemistry, he is a certified Six Sigma Green Belt. This certification requires rigorous training and testing and demonstrates an individual’s knowledge, skills and dedication to achieving a high level of competency to the Six Sigma processes.

© 2004 EXCEL Polymers LLC.