MFG Chemical Expands Leadership with Strategic Hires in Paints & Coatings, Water Additives, and Health & Safety
MFG Chemical, a recognized leader in the specialty chemical manufacturing industry, has made significant strategic hires to strengthen its operations, technical capabilities, and commitment to health and safety. The company has announced the appointment of four accomplished professionals: two Business Development Managers (BDMs) for Paints & Coatings, a Sales Representative for Water Additives, and a new Health & Safety Manager. These hires are part of MFG Chemical’s broader initiative to enhance service delivery, expand market presence, and uphold its longstanding focus on operational excellence.
With over four decades of innovation in chemical manufacturing, MFG Chemical operates six specialized production facilities. These plants support a diverse portfolio of chemical solutions, serving industries such as coatings, water treatment, oil and gas, agriculture, personal care, and industrial applications. The company prides itself on delivering high-quality, custom and proprietary chemical formulations tailored to customer needs—all while maintaining a steadfast dedication to safety, compliance, and sustainability.
As the demand for high-performance specialty chemicals grows globally, MFG Chemical continues to invest in talent acquisition to support growth, drive technical collaboration, and improve customer experience. The addition of these four seasoned professionals underscores the company’s commitment to leadership in the markets it serves.
Grover A. Gore II – Business Development Manager, Paints & Coatings
Bringing more than 30 years of experience in business development within specialty chemicals and adjacent sectors, Grover A. Gore II joins MFG Chemical as a Business Development Manager focused on the Paints & Coatings segment.
Grover has consistently demonstrated an ability to penetrate new markets, identify niche opportunities, and foster sustainable growth through strong client relationships and innovative problem-solving. He is highly skilled in guiding customers through the full development process—from initial batch testing in the lab to pilot-scale production and eventually full-scale commercial manufacturing.
His impressive track record includes numerous examples of exceeding performance benchmarks, both in terms of revenue growth and client retention. Grover is known for his deep understanding of resin chemistry, pigments, emulsions, surfactants, and additives—key components in paints and coatings formulations.
Based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Grover holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from North Carolina State University. His addition to the MFG team is expected to accelerate the company’s expansion into emerging market segments within the coatings industry, especially where custom chemical solutions are required.
Jeremy Pitts – Business Development Manager, Paints & Coatings
Also joining the Paints & Coatings division is Jeremy Pitts, who brings over a decade of technical sales experience in specialty chemicals, with a particular focus on the CASE (Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants, and Elastomers) sector.
Prior to joining MFG Chemical, Jeremy held a successful tenure at Azelis CASE, where he was regularly recognized among the top-performing technical sales professionals. His ability to bridge the gap between technical formulation and commercial application makes him a trusted advisor to both formulators and procurement professionals.
Jeremy is particularly skilled in surfactants, dispersants, wetting agents, and other performance-enhancing additives for waterborne and solvent-based coatings. His strategic knowledge helps customers optimize formulations for durability, aesthetics, VOC compliance, and environmental performance.
Beyond his corporate roles, Jeremy actively contributes to the advancement of the coatings industry. He currently serves on the Board of the Florida Paints and Coatings Association and is also involved with the Southern Society for Coatings Technology. His leadership within industry organizations enhances MFG’s visibility and engagement across the value chain.
Jeremy’s technical depth, commercial insight, and industry connections will play a vital role in advancing MFG Chemical’s position as a preferred supplier to the paints and coatings market.
Jarrett Tornetta – Sales Representative, Water Additives
As the industrial water treatment industry faces new regulatory challenges, sustainability goals, and performance requirements, MFG Chemical has strengthened its Water Additives division with the appointment of Jarrett Tornetta.
Jarrett brings more than 10 years of experience in water treatment chemicals and services, having built his career at Brenntag, a global leader in chemical distribution. During his tenure, Jarrett worked closely with municipal and industrial water treatment facilities, developing customized chemical programs to address scale, corrosion, and microbial control.
His expertise spans coagulation and flocculation chemistry, pH adjustment, disinfection, and advanced testing protocols, including jar testing and on-site analysis. He has worked directly with environmental engineers, lab specialists, and plant operators to deliver measurable results in both drinking water and wastewater treatment contexts.
A graduate of Kutztown University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration – Marketing, Jarrett was honored as BSG Sales Rep of the Year in 2019. He has attended major industry events such as the Association of Water Technologies (AWT) and the New England Water Environment Association (NEWEA) conferences, keeping him current on best practices and emerging trends.
Jarrett’s combination of technical knowledge and relationship-building skill positions him as a key resource for MFG Chemical customers seeking high-performance, regulatory-compliant water treatment solutions.
Forrest Reed – Health & Safety Manager
A cornerstone of MFG Chemical’s reputation is its unwavering commitment to health, safety, and environmental (HSE) performance. To further enhance its safety culture and systems, the company has appointed Forrest Reed as Health & Safety Manager.
Forrest brings over 25 years of progressive experience in occupational health and safety, with a focus on chemical manufacturing, construction, and steel industries. He has successfully led cross-functional teams in the development and implementation of safety programs that meet and exceed regulatory requirements while fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
His professional achievements include reducing OSHA-recordable incidents, minimizing workers’ compensation claims, conducting hazard assessments, and leading root-cause investigations. Forrest is also known for his ability to train and engage employees at all levels, transforming safety into a shared organizational value.
Forrest holds a Master of Science in Safety Education and Services from the University of Tennessee and earned his Bachelor of Arts from Berea College. His formal education, combined with field experience, gives him a comprehensive perspective on managing both systemic and behavioral safety risks.
With Forrest’s leadership, MFG Chemical aims to reinforce its compliance with federal and state safety regulations, enhance internal training programs, and further integrate safety into every aspect of operations—from R&D labs to manufacturing floors.
CEO Statement: Paul Turgeon on Strategic Growth
Commenting on the new hires, MFG Chemical CEO Paul Turgeon stated:
“With the hiring of such experienced experts as Grover Gore, Jeremy Pitts, Jarrett Tornetta, and Forrest Reed, MFG Chemical continues to grow its already strong capabilities to help our paints & coatings, industrial water, and specialty chemicals customers. These professionals not only bring deep domain expertise, but they also align with MFG’s values of innovation, customer focus, and operational excellence. Their leadership will be instrumental as we continue to expand our product offerings, improve service responsiveness, and strengthen our safety-first culture.”
Turgeon added that these appointments reflect MFG’s broader strategic objectives of expanding capacity, investing in infrastructure, and building long-term partnerships with customers and suppliers. The company remains committed to providing high-performance chemical solutions backed by technical expertise, reliable logistics, and a proactive approach to sustainability and regulatory compliance.
