Ingevity Corporation has announced the election of J. Kevin Willis to its board of directors, effective immediately. With this addition, Ingevity’s Board now comprises nine directors, eight of whom are independent. The decision to bring Mr. Willis on board reflects the company’s commitment to strengthening its leadership team with seasoned professionals who bring a wealth of knowledge and strategic insight.
Mr. Willis currently serves as the senior vice president and chief financial officer (CFO) of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), a global leader in additives and specialty ingredients. Ashland operates across a diverse range of consumer and industrial markets, including architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, food and beverage, nutraceuticals, personal care, and pharmaceuticals. In his capacity as CFO, Mr. Willis oversees all of Ashland’s global financial functions and processes, while playing a pivotal role in shaping the company’s overarching strategy as a member of the executive committee. This role includes managing capital allocation, driving operational efficiencies, and upholding the company’s guiding principles.
Mr. Willis’s impressive 37-year tenure at Ashland includes significant leadership roles in accounting, finance, and treasury management. Notably, he has also held an international assignment in the Netherlands, where he was instrumental in standardizing processes across Ashland’s European operations. His extensive experience in global financial leadership and operations provides him with a broad and nuanced perspective that will be invaluable to Ingevity’s strategic objectives.
Jean Blackwell, chair of Ingevity’s board, expressed her enthusiasm about Mr. Willis’s appointment. “Kevin is an accomplished leader with extensive experience as CFO of a publicly traded, sustainability-focused specialty chemicals company with international reach,” said Blackwell. “Over the course of his career, he has played a crucial role in shaping strategies that drive shareholder value, including returns-driven capital allocation planning, operational efficiency initiatives, and significant business portfolio separations. Among his many achievements, Kevin was deeply involved in Ashland’s successful separation from Valvoline. We are confident that his insights will contribute greatly to the strategic and operational changes Ingevity is implementing to accelerate execution and deliver meaningful, sustainable value creation.”
Ingevity: A Commitment to Purify, Protect, and Enhance
Ingevity is committed to providing innovative products and technologies that purify, protect, and enhance the world around us. With a team of skilled and experienced professionals, the company develops and delivers solutions that enable customers to solve complex challenges while advancing sustainability goals.
Ingevity operates through three primary business segments:
- Performance Materials: This segment focuses on activated carbon products used in applications such as automotive components and environmental purification.
- Advanced Polymer Technologies: This division specializes in caprolactone polymers, which are critical for producing certified biodegradable bioplastics, coatings, adhesives, and elastomers.
- Performance Chemicals: This segment offers specialty chemicals and road technologies utilized in asphalt paving, pavement markings, agrochemicals, and adhesives.
The company’s products are integral to a wide array of demanding applications, including certified biodegradable materials, automotive systems, and infrastructure improvements. Headquartered in North Charleston, South Carolina, Ingevity operates in 31 countries and employs approximately 1,600 people.
Strategic Growth and Global Reach
Ingevity continues to expand its global footprint and refine its strategic focus on innovation and sustainability. As a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: NGVT), Ingevity strives to deliver significant shareholder value through operational excellence and forward-thinking business practices.
The addition of Kevin Willis to Ingevity’s board underscores the company’s commitment to enhancing its leadership and strategic capabilities. His deep expertise in financial operations, strategic planning, and international business will undoubtedly complement Ingevity’s efforts to remain a leader in its field and drive sustainable value creation for its stakeholders.
With this appointment, Ingevity is poised to further solidify its position as a global innovator in specialty chemicals and advanced materials, demonstrating its continued dedication to making the world a better and more sustainable place.
