DALE McINTYRE
Vice President, Sustainability, BEHR PAINT COMPANY
Could you please share your current role, what it entails, and what excites you most about it?
I am vice president, Sustainability at Behr Paint Company where I collaborate with Behr leadership to achieve our sustainability goals. Sustainability is a rapidly evolving arena that presents many opportunities for innovation and value creation for our company’s stakeholders.
What brought you to the coatings industry? Was it part of the plan, or did you discover coatings along the way?
I started my career as a materials scientist developing vacuum-deposited inorganic thin films for tribological, microelectronic, and decorative applications. The opportunity to work in the architectural coatings business came from a transfer to Behr Paint Company from another role within Masco Corporation, the parent company of Behr Paint.
How important has mentorship or a piece of advice from someone been in your career—and have you had the chance to mentor others in return?
I have been very fortunate to have worked with several successful business leaders that were also outstanding people. I am grateful for their generosity in sharing their experience and wisdom with me. I am certain their kind guidance made an immense difference in the trajectory of my career. I share perspectives based on my experience with others that I work with when I think the time is right and my point of view might be helpful.
How, if at all, did your educational background shape your path into coatings?
My undergraduate and graduate education in metallurgy and materials science provided a basis for engaging with the technical challenges I encountered in many of my jobs. Earning an MBA mid-career also broadened my appreciation of the business challenges and opportunities that are part of business.
How do you stay current with advancements in coatings technology?
Participating in technical and industry conferences provides information on advancements in coatings technology and opportunities to interact with leading innovators. Participating on American Coatings Association committees and with other associations that address emerging industry issues has been very helpful in staying current on industry developments. I also review coatings-related publications for relevant new technology developments.
Have you ever taken a detour or changed directions in your career? What did that pivot teach you?
Although I have generally been employed by businesses and organizations that involve materials science and product development, I have changed directions several times in my career. Each change has offered the opportunity to reflect on what is important to me and my family. One important lesson I learned is that a good opportunity doesn’t often show up when it is convenient and sometimes doesn’t look like you thought it would/should look.
I don’t regret the chances I took, even when they sometimes didn’t turn out the way I hoped they would.
How has the coatings industry changed since you entered it?
The performance of architectural coatings has steadily improved. Waterborne technology has continued to advance and there continue to be more high-performance, low-VOC options available—contributing to cleaner indoor air environments for end-users. For example, more than 100 of BEHR® and KILZ® products are GREENGUARD Gold Certified for low VOC.
What trends or developments do you think are shaping the future of coatings?
Work to enhance the sustainability of coatings across the entire life cycle will continue to influence architectural coating technology development. New opportunities for architectural coatings to provide enhanced durability in challenging environmental conditions will influence the development of higher-performance materials.
What skills or traits do you think are essential for success in this industry?
A solid foundation in technology and business, good people skills, determination, curiosity, and optimism.
What advice would you give someone just starting out in the industry or considering a career in coatings?
Look for opportunities to work with skilled people that enjoy their working environment at a company that makes great products and has a history of business success. Be curious, patient, serious, and committed to helping that company’s continued success.
What keeps you motivated and eager to come to work each day?
New challenges and the opportunity to work with smart and committed colleagues.
How does company culture impact your work and ability to perform successfully?
Behr Paint has a set of core values that focus on team performance and customer excellence. I see these values consistently reinforced in our work with each other and by the results we deliver to our stakeholders. These core commitments create a successful culture that we all want to be part of and contribute to.
What opportunities or unique advantages does your company offer that someone new to the workforce or not too familiar with coatings should consider as a career pathway?
A few standout advantages of Behr Paint Company:
- Behr Paint creates high performance paints and stains that provide great value for professionals and do-it-yourselfers—turning inspiration into reality.
- Behr Paint was named “Most Trusted Brand in Paint and Stain” by BrandSpark in the U.S. (Newsweek) and Canada—a testament to our deeply valued relationship with DIY and professional customers and their collective confidence in our paints and stains.
- Behr Paint has been recognized as the 2025 Master Painters Institute (MPI) Green Performance Champion.
- Behr Paint has been recognized as a “Top Workplace” in Orange County for 17 consecutive years and was also named a “2024 Top Workplace” by USA Today.
- Behr offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a monthly well-being allowance, various bonus opportunities, and family planning assistance. The company also emphasizes employee volunteerism, providing paid time off for team members to support causes they care about.
Dale C. McIntyre, Ph.D. is the vice president of Sustainability for Behr Paint Company, a division of Masco Corporation. McIntyre has been with Behr Paint Company since 2006 and with Masco since 2000. His career has included technology roles at Sandia National Laboratories (DOE), high-tech start-up companies, and a venture capital firm. His primary areas of expertise include sustainability, inorganic/organic coatings, surface modification, and innovation systems.
McIntyre holds a B.S. degree in Metallurgical Engineering from Michigan Technological University, a Ph.D. in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and an MBA from Eastern Michigan University.
Email: dmcintyre@behr.com