Editor’s note: The following industry professionals have recently received promotions or appointments. To submit your company’s personnel news for possible publication in CoatingsTech, email publications@paint.org with “Names in the News” in the subject line.

Names in the News Digital August

Oxea has appointed Michael McHenry as its new CEO, effective Aug. 15, 2025.

McHenry has more than 30 years of experience in the international chemicals and materials industry. Most recently, he served as CEO of Techmer PM, a private equity-backed manufacturer of engineered materials. Prior to that, he held senior positions at Master Fluid Solutions, BASF, and Ciba Specialty Chemicals, overseeing business units in resins, additives, pigments, and coatings.

McHenry holds a degree in chemistry from Rutgers University and serves on the board of Share the Good Foundation, a non-profit organization supporting at-risk individuals.

AkzoNobel has announced the appointment of Fredrik Westin as CFO, effective January 1, 2026. He will succeed Maarten de Vries, who is completing his second four-year term as CFO and member of the board of management. With more than 25 years of international experience in the industrial and automotive sectors, Westin most recently served as CFO and executive vice-president at Autoliv. Previous roles included CFO at Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology, and Johnson Controls.

IMCD N.V., a global partner for the distribution and formulation of specialty chemicals and ingredients, announced that Andreas Igerl, currently regional president of APAC and a member of the IMCD Executive Committee, has been appointed regional president of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) effective September 1. In this new role, he will assume leadership of the global Industrial Business Groups progressively over the course of 2025. Narendra Varde, currently managing director of India, has been appointed president of Asia-Pacific (APAC), succeeding Andreas Igerl.

As part of a strategic realignment of its management board, Kansai Helios has named Bastian Krauss president and executive director of the Kansai Helios Group. Krauss, most recently executive vice president and executive director, will lead the group’s strategic development in a phase of intensified consolidation and integration.

Also announced as part of the restructuring, Dietmar Jost, previously president and executive director, will assume worldwide responsibility for the ACE Coatings segment; and Yoshihiro Tanaka, most recently executive director, will become global business director for the railway coatings sector.

In addition, Mitsuru Masunaga will remain executive vice president and executive director, while Frank Gläser will continue as executive director on the newly structured group management board.

BASF Canada, a subsidiary of BASF SE, has appointed Marian Van Hoek managing director. Van Hoek joined BASF Canada in 2015 and has held several key positions, including legal counsel and senior counsel. Most recently, she served as general counsel and chief compliance officer, and was a member of the Canadian leadership team and the Canadian executive committee.

Wacker Chemie AG’s supervisory board has extended the contract of executive board member, Christian Kirsten, for another five years. A member of the executive board since 2023, Kirsten’s contract was set to expire in 2026, and has been extended until 2031. Kirsten is responsible for the Silicones business division, sales, and the global production network.

Wacker Chemical Corporation has promoted Ato Taylor to vice president of Human Resources at the company’s regional headquarters in Ann Arbor, Mich. Taylor brings more than 15 years of human resources leadership experience to his new position. He joined Wacker Chemical Corporation in February 2024 as senior director of Human Resources Business Partners (HRBPs) for North and Central America (NCA). In his previous role, Taylor oversaw the NCA HRBP team and provided strategic HR leadership across the corporate functions and business divisions.

Songwon Industrial Co., Ltd. has named Jaewon Choi the new leader of its Tin Intermediates/PVC business unit. In this role, Choi will oversee the strategic direction and spearhead new business development to strengthen the company’s position in the global market. Choi will report directly to Hans Werhonig, leader group commercial, and be supported by Bouzid Hamcherif, who has been appointed deputy leader for the Tin Intermediates/PVC business unit in addition to his current responsibilities as leader of the Sub Business Unit PVC.

The ChemQuest Group, Inc. announced that Ramki Subramanian has joined its business development team as a vice president. Subramanian has 30 years’ experience in technology development/commercialization and business development in the specialty chemicals, advanced materials, and energy sectors. After spending much of his career with The Dow Chemical Co., in both the United States and India, Subramanian founded Lithe Power Storage Solutions to address the chronic power problem in India. He later served as senior vice president for petrochemicals business development with Reliance Industries Ltd., and most recently was managing director and global director for mobility with DowAksa USA LLC

ChemQuest also announced that three directors have joined the firm.

Geoffrey Webster, an accomplished R&D leader, has combined his chemical and engineering expertise to drive technological innovation, product development, and commercialization initiatives. He holds numerous patents, and has held technical leadership roles with companies such as PPG Industries and Eastman Chemical Co.

Philip Williams has valuable experience in general management and operational excellence, including the development and implementation of standards in manufacturing, logistics, supply chain, and change management. Williams most recently served as a senior practitioner with Performance Solutions by Milliken.

Paul Bryant has been actively involved in the coatings industry for nearly 60 years, working in sales and leadership roles with companies such as Sherwin-Williams Co. and PPG Industries. Bryant has been credited with assisting companies to exceed sales goals and drive operational efficiencies, as well as focus on training and safety initiatives.