Grace Executive and Leadership Team

Ed Sparks, the Chief Executive Officer at Grace, directs the overarching strategic vision for the global specialty chemicals portfolio. Overseeing the integration of Catalysts Technologies and Materials Technologies, the Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment between research initiatives and market demands for transportation fuels and industrial resins. Ed Sparks maintains constant communication with the Board to drive long-term shareholder value through sustainable growth and operational excellence. By prioritizing innovation in fluid catalytic cracking and silica-based materials, the Chief Executive Officer secures a competitive advantage across international markets. This leadership role involves navigating complex regulatory landscapes while expanding the footprint of the organization in emerging economies. Through rigorous capital allocation and a focus on high-margin product development, Sparks optimizes the enterprise structure to meet evolving consumer needs. Ultimately, the Chief Executive Officer fosters a culture of safety and technical precision that defines the corporate identity.

Erin Marquardt, the Chief Financial Officer at Grace, manages the fiscal health and capital structure of the global specialty chemicals enterprise. Overseeing financial planning, reporting, and risk management, the Chief Financial Officer ensures the stability of investments in fluid catalytic cracking and silica-based material production. Erin Marquardt directs the allocation of resources to support research and development in polyolefin catalysts, balancing immediate operational costs with long-term growth objectives. By analyzing market trends in the petroleum and pharmaceutical sectors, the Chief Financial Officer provides critical insights that inform strategic decision-making at the executive level. This leadership role involves maintaining transparent communication with investors and regulatory bodies regarding financial performance and sustainability metrics. Through disciplined cost control and revenue optimization, Marquardt strengthens the balance sheet to facilitate expansion into new geographic markets. Ultimately, the Chief Financial Officer sustains the financial integrity required for continuous innovation.

William Agne, the Chief Financial Officer, Polyolefin & Chemical Catalysts at Grace, manages the financial performance of the specific business unit dedicated to polyolefin and industrial chemical catalysts. Overseeing budget development and cost analysis for this segment, the Chief Financial Officer, Polyolefin & Chemical Catalysts ensures that production of polypropylene and polyethylene resins remains profitable. William Agne directs financial modeling to assess the viability of new catalyst supports and gas-phase process technologies. By monitoring the economic impact of raw material price fluctuations, the Chief Financial Officer, Polyolefin & Chemical Catalysts provides the strategic guidance needed to maintain competitive pricing in the global market. This leadership role involves collaborating with product managers to align financial targets with technical development milestones. Through precise fiscal oversight, Agne supports the expansion of the catalyst portfolio into new industrial applications. Ultimately, the Chief Financial Officer, Polyolefin & Chemical Catalysts secures the profitability of this critical business segment.

Ronald Hart, the Chief Operating Officer at Grace, executes the operational strategy for global manufacturing and supply chain networks. Overseeing the production of fluid catalytic cracking catalysts and hydro processing materials, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that all facilities meet rigorous safety and quality standards. Ronald Hart drives initiatives to optimize process reactors and improve the yield of lighter products from heavy oils. By coordinating with regional plant managers, the Chief Operating Officer maintains consistent output across international manufacturing sites. This leadership role involves streamlining logistics to ensure the timely delivery of specialty chemicals to industrial and consumer clients worldwide. Through the implementation of lean manufacturing principles, Hart enhances operational efficiency and reduces waste in the production of thermoplastic resins. Ultimately, the Chief Operating Officer maintains the high-performance standards necessary to support the diverse chemical requirements of the global energy and manufacturing industries.

Gregory Poling, the President & Chief Operating Officer at Grace, oversees the integration of business operations with long-term corporate strategy. Managing the day-to-day execution of the company mission, the President & Chief Operating Officer ensures that all segments, including Catalysts Technologies and Materials Technologies, function in harmony. Gregory Poling drives the adoption of new manufacturing technologies that enhance the production of specialty chemicals and silica-based materials. By fostering cross-functional collaboration, the President & Chief Operating Officer aligns research, production, and sales teams to meet the evolving needs of the petroleum and pharmaceutical industries. This leadership role involves evaluating operational performance against global benchmarks to identify opportunities for improvement and expansion. Through the implementation of robust management systems, Poling maintains the high standards of quality and reliability expected by clients. Ultimately, the President & Chief Operating Officer sustains the operational momentum required for continued market success.

Thomas Deman, the President, Performance Catalyst Solutions at Grace, leads the development and commercialization of advanced catalyst technologies for the global energy sector. Overseeing the research and production of fluid catalytic cracking additives and hydro processing catalysts, the President, Performance Catalyst Solutions ensures that refineries achieve maximum efficiency in fuel production. Thomas Deman drives the expansion of the catalyst portfolio to address the growing demand for cleaner transportation fuels and upgraded heavy oils. By engaging with key stakeholders in the petroleum industry, the President, Performance Catalyst Solutions identifies emerging technical challenges and develops innovative chemical solutions to resolve them. This leadership role involves managing the entire product lifecycle, from laboratory testing to large-scale industrial deployment. Through strategic partnerships and a focus on technical superiority, Deman strengthens the market position of the catalyst business. Ultimately, the President, Performance Catalyst Solutions delivers the high-performance products essential for modern energy processing.

Brenda Kelly, the President, Materials Technologies at Grace, directs the innovation and market strategy for the company's silica-based and silica-alumina-based materials. Overseeing the application of these materials in coatings, consumer goods, and pharmaceutical products, the President, Materials Technologies ensures that the business unit meets the diverse needs of global industrial clients. Brenda Kelly drives the development of new material formulations that enhance product performance and sustainability. By analyzing market trends in the pharmaceutical and industrial sectors, the President, Materials Technologies identifies new growth opportunities for silica-based solutions. This leadership role involves coordinating with research teams to translate technical breakthroughs into commercial successes. Through a focus on quality and application-specific engineering, Kelly expands the reach of the materials portfolio into high-growth markets. Ultimately, the President, Materials Technologies maintains the reputation of the organization as a leader in specialty material science and chemical engineering.

Gloria Keesee, the Chief Information Officer at Grace, architects the digital infrastructure supporting global chemical manufacturing and supply chain logistics. Managing enterprise-wide data systems, the Chief Information Officer ensures seamless connectivity between production facilities and administrative hubs. Gloria Keesee drives the implementation of advanced analytics to monitor catalyst performance and material quality across diverse industrial applications. By modernizing cybersecurity protocols, the Chief Information Officer protects proprietary process technologies used in the production of polypropylene and polyethylene resins. This leadership role involves collaborating with operational heads to integrate automated systems that enhance manufacturing efficiency and reduce downtime. Through the deployment of scalable cloud solutions, Keesee supports the digital transformation of the entire organization. Ultimately, the Chief Information Officer provides the technological foundation necessary for maintaining market leadership in the highly competitive specialty chemicals sector.