Albemarle Strengthens Board with Two Seasoned Executives
Albemarle Corporation a global leader in transforming essential resources into critical ingredients for mobility, energy, connectivity, and health, has announced the appointment of two distinguished executives to its Board of Directors. Michelle T. Collins and Mark R. Widmar officially joined the Board effective February 26, 2026, reinforcing the company’s commitment to strong governance and long-term value creation.
The appointments are part of Albemarle’s ongoing board succession planning strategy, designed to ensure the company maintains a diverse, experienced, and forward-thinking leadership team capable of guiding the organization through evolving market dynamics.
Michelle T. Collins Brings Deep Audit and Governance Expertise
Michelle T. Collins joins the Board with more than four decades of experience in audit and advisory services. Over the course of her distinguished career, she built a reputation as a trusted advisor to some of the world’s largest global organizations.
Collins recently retired from Deloitte & Touche LLP, where she served in several senior leadership roles beginning in 1996. During her tenure, she was Vice Chair, Senior Audit Partner, and National Automotive Sector Leader. In these roles, she worked closely with Deloitte’s largest multinational clients, providing guidance on complex financial reporting matters, governance practices, risk management frameworks, and business transformation initiatives.
Beyond her client-facing responsibilities, Collins also played a key leadership role within Deloitte’s governance structure. She served for six years on the Deloitte & Touche U.S. Board of Directors, where she held positions as Vice Chair, Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee, and Chair of the Governance Committee. Her service in these capacities underscores her extensive experience in corporate oversight and financial stewardship.
At Albemarle, Collins will serve on the Board’s Audit & Finance Committee and the Governance & Public Policy Committee. Her background in financial reporting, technology oversight, regulatory compliance, and enterprise risk management is expected to strengthen the Board’s ability to navigate an increasingly complex global operating environment.
Albemarle Chairman and CEO Kent Masters praised Collins’ appointment, noting that her decades of audit and advisory experience will provide valuable insight as the company continues to execute its strategic objectives and enhance shareholder value.
Mark R. Widmar Adds Executive Leadership and Operational Depth
Joining Collins on the Board is Mark R. Widmar, an accomplished executive with extensive public company leadership experience. Widmar has served as Chief Executive Officer of First Solar since 2016, leading one of the world’s foremost solar technology companies through significant growth and innovation.
Prior to becoming CEO, Widmar held the roles of Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer at First Solar, gaining comprehensive experience in financial management, operational strategy, and global expansion. His leadership has been instrumental in strengthening the company’s supply chain capabilities and expanding its presence in international markets.
Before joining First Solar, Widmar served as Chief Financial Officer of GrafTech International Ltd. from 2006 to 2011. Earlier in his career, he held senior financial leadership roles at NCR Inc. and Dell Inc., among other global public organizations. Widmar began his professional journey in 1987 as an accountant at Ernst & Young, building a foundation in accounting and financial management that has shaped his executive career.
At Albemarle, Widmar will serve on the Executive Compensation & Talent Development Committee and the Safety, Sustainability, Operations & Capital Committee. His expertise in executive leadership, financial strategy, supply chain management, operations, and government affairs is expected to support Albemarle’s long-term strategic growth initiatives.
Kent Masters emphasized that Widmar’s combined experience as both a CEO and CFO brings valuable perspective to the Board, particularly as Albemarle continues to navigate global market shifts and advance its operational capabilities.
Strengthening Governance Through Strategic Succession Planning
The addition of Collins and Widmar reflects Albemarle’s proactive approach to board succession planning and corporate governance. By integrating leaders with complementary expertise in finance, operations, sustainability, and governance, the company aims to enhance oversight and strategic guidance at the board level.
Albemarle’s Board plays a critical role in shaping the company’s long-term direction, particularly as demand for lithium and bromine—two essential elements in electrification and advanced technologies—continues to grow globally. The company’s leadership remains focused on maintaining high standards of transparency, accountability, and stakeholder engagement.
Advancing Albemarle’s Long-Term Vision
As a global leader in specialty chemicals, Albemarle transforms essential resources into products that enable cleaner mobility solutions, renewable energy storage, improved connectivity, and advanced healthcare technologies. The company’s reliable and high-quality supply of lithium and bromine positions it at the center of critical global industries.
With the appointments of Michelle T. Collins and Mark R. Widmar, Albemarle reinforces its commitment to strategic oversight, operational excellence, and sustainable value creation. Their combined experience in financial governance, executive leadership, and global operations will help guide the company as it continues to innovate and support a more resilient and sustainable world.
Source Link :https://www.albemarle.com/
