Orion S.A. Appoints Jonathan Puckett as Chief Financial Officer Effective December 1, 2025
Orion S.A. (NYSE: OEC), a global specialty chemicals company known for its high-performance carbon black solutions, today announced that Jonathan (“Jon”) Puckett will assume the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) effective December 1, 2025. Puckett will succeed Jeff Glajch, who previously announced his planned retirement from the position earlier this year.
This transition marks an important milestone in Orion’s ongoing strategic evolution as the company continues to focus on growth, operational excellence, and value creation for shareholders.
Leadership Transition and Succession
Orion CEO Corning Painter expressed confidence in the appointment, citing Puckett’s extensive background and proven leadership in the chemicals sector.
“Jon’s broad functional skill set, deep financial expertise, and strong track record of helping organizations execute on both strategic and operational objectives make him an exceptional addition to our executive team,” said Painter. “As we advance into our next phase of growth and profitability, his leadership will be instrumental in driving disciplined financial management and supporting Orion’s long-term strategic priorities.”
Puckett’s appointment follows a deliberate and structured succession planning process initiated earlier in 2025. In July, Orion’s current CFO Jeff Glajch Asbury announced his intention to retire at the end of the year after years of dedicated service. To ensure a seamless leadership transition, Glajch will remain a full-time employee of Orion through December 31, 2025, and will provide consulting services during the first quarter of 2026. This planned overlap is designed to facilitate an orderly handoff and maintain continuity across Orion’s global finance organization.
Painter added, “Jeff has played a pivotal role in Orion’s transformation over the past several years. His leadership has strengthened our financial foundation, optimized our capital structure, and improved our ability to invest strategically. We are deeply grateful for his many contributions and wish him the very best in his well-earned retirement.”
About Jonathan “Jon” Puckett
Puckett brings more than 30 years of financial leadership experience to Orion, with much of his career dedicated to the chemicals and advanced materials sectors. His appointment reinforces Orion’s commitment to attracting seasoned leaders with the depth of expertise required to navigate the complexities of a global specialty chemical business.
Most recently, Puckett served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for the Acetyl Chain segment at Celanese Corporation (NYSE: CE), a global leader in chemical and specialty materials manufacturing. During his 14-year tenure at Celanese, Puckett held a series of progressively senior financial and business leadership roles spanning corporate finance, business unit management, and strategic transformation initiatives.
Asbury While at Celanese, he played an integral role in guiding the company through multiple phases of growth, portfolio optimization, and capital investment. His experience includes responsibility for financial planning and analysis, M&A integration, cost optimization, and driving alignment between financial performance and long-term corporate strategy.
Before joining Celanese, Puckett held key financial leadership roles at several major organizations, including Affiliated Computer Services, Inc., and began his career in public accounting with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) and KPMG LLP, where he built a strong foundation in financial reporting, audit management, and compliance.
Puckett earned a reputation as a collaborative and disciplined financial executive, known for his ability to lead diverse teams, build robust systems of accountability, and align financial strategies with business objectives. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and holds a degree in accounting and finance from a leading U.S. university.
Puckett’s Vision and Role at Orion
Upon his appointment, Puckett expressed enthusiasm about joining Orion and helping drive its next phase of growth.
“I’m honored to join Orion at such a pivotal moment in its journey,” said Puckett. “The company has established itself as a trusted partner in specialty chemicals with a strong global footprint, innovative product portfolio, and a clear commitment to sustainability and operational excellence. I look forward to collaborating with Corning and the leadership team to build on that momentum, enhance financial performance, and continue delivering value for our customers and shareholders.”
As CFO, Puckett will oversee global finance, accounting, investor relations, tax, treasury, and internal audit functions, reporting directly to CEO Corning Painter. He will also play a central role in advancing Orion’s strategic growth initiatives, including capital investment optimization, cost efficiency programs, and the continued enhancement of financial transparency and performance discipline.
Jeff Glajch’s Legacy
Since joining Orion, Jeff Glajch has been instrumental in building a resilient financial organization and guiding the company through significant economic cycles. Under his leadership, Orion has strengthened its balance sheet, enhanced free cash flow generation, and executed a disciplined capital allocation strategy that supported investment in innovation and sustainability.
“Jeff’s contributions have been foundational to Orion’s success,” said Painter. “His steady hand and deep understanding of our business dynamics have helped us maintain stability while pursuing growth. We’re pleased that he will stay with us through the transition to ensure continuity.”
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