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.
Palmer Holland, Inc., announced that Tim Skufca has been appointed CEO. Vincent S. Misiti, who has served as CEO since 2023, will transition to executive chairman of the Board, focusing on Board leadership, governance, and long-term strategic stewardship. Current executive chairman Bryn Irvine will move to a permanent position as senior director on the Palmer Holland Board.
Skufca joined Palmer Holland in 2025 as chief strategy officer and has been leading the company’s strategic planning, and mergers and acquisitions initiatives. Before Palmer Holland, he was vice president and general manager of the U.S. Wholesale business at Moen, Inc. Prior to his tenure at Moen, Skufca spent a decade with The Sherwin-Williams Company, where he held a series of leadership roles in sales and commercial strategy.
BASF Coatings has announced that Jens Lühring will be appointed CEO once the transaction between BASF and the Carlyle Group has been completed and a stand-alone coatings company established. He succeeds Uta Holzenkamp, who has led BASF Coatings since 2022, and will continue in that role until the closing expected to take place in the second quarter of 2026.
Dow has announced that current chair and CEO Jim Fitterling will become executive chair of the Board, effective July 1. He will continue to serve as chair of the Board and focus on long-term strategy, governance, and key external relationships, while supporting continuity in leadership and execution.
Karen S. Carter will become CEO, effective July 1. Carter, who has been with the company more than 30 years, previously served as COO, overseeing business and operational performance company-wide, with responsibility for Dow’s operating segments and key functional organizations, while strengthening customer engagement and accelerating innovation. Carter will also join Dow’s Board of Directors.
Evonik has announced that Christian Kullmann will remain CEO of the company until 2030. The company also appointed Michael Rauch as CFO.
Kullmann has been with Evonik since 2003 and was appointed chief strategy officer in 2014. He has headed the Management Board since May 2017.
Rauch has 16 years’ experience in the chemical industry, beginning at Henkel where he held various strategy and finance positions in Germany, Sweden, and China. He also has extensive experience serving the capital markets. Most recently, Rauch, who holds an MBA, served as interim CEO of Swiss vending machine operator Selecta AG.
Keyland Polymer Material Sciences has announced a series of leadership transitions.
Andrew Walton, formerly vice president, has been promoted to president. In this role, Walton will assume responsibility for the company’s operations, strategy, and performance across business units. Walton will lead day-to-day operations and long-term growth initiatives, and continue to strengthen Keyland’s innovation efforts and customer relationships.
Michael Knoblauch transitioned from president of Keyland Polymer Material Sciences to an executive leadership position as secretary and treasurer. Knoblauch will also continue to support the company as a strategic advisor.
Kevin Otto has been promoted from operations manager to general manager of Keyland Polymer UV Powder. In this new role, Otto will be responsible for the overall performance and strategic direction of the UV Powder business, including operations, production, technical development, staff development, and commercial support.
Jimmy Cooperider has joined the Keyland Polymer UV Powder team as a technical sales representative, focusing on North America. With more than 13 years’ coatings industry experience, he will work to attract new customers while continuing to support and strengthen relationships with existing partners.
IMCD Group (IMCD) has announced the appointment of Reanne Rust as managing director for Canada.
Since joining IMCD in August 2024, Rust has worked closely with CEO Marcus Jordan and senior leadership on a number of strategic projects. Most recently, she played a key leadership role in launching a supplier expansion in Europe.
Prior to joining IMCD, Rust spent five years at McKinsey as a strategy consultant. She holds a master’s degree in chemical and biomedical engineering from Eindhoven University of Technology and an MBA from INSEAD.
Wacker has announced that Maximilian Peter has assumed responsibility for the company’s Polymers division. Peter Summo, who headed the Polymers division for 10 years, will now lead Sales & Distribution.
Peter, who holds a doctorate in chemical engineering, has been with WACKER since 2012. After working in process development, he headed Corporate Development and was most recently responsible for Human Resources.