Grace Executive and Leadership Team

June, 2026

Leadership Overview

Grace has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, finance, operations, and technology.

Driven by innovation, Grace is dedicated to producing and selling specialty chemicals and materials worldwide, impacting global industries through advanced catalyst and material technologies.

Leadership Roles at Grace

  • Chief Executive Officer - Ed Sparks
  • Chief Financial Officer - Mathew Bennett
  • Chief Financial Officer, Polyolefin & Chemical Catalysts - William Agne
  • Senior VP, Information Technology & Chief Financial Officer - Michael Brown
  • President & Chief Operating Officer - Gregory Poling
  • President, Grace Materials Technologies - Joanne Green
  • President, Grace Ltd (China) - Michael Piergrossi
  • President, Performance Catalyst Solutions - Thomas Deman
  • Global President, Operations & Supply Chain - Mark Cluff
  • Senior VP & Chief Information Officer - Jeff Sherman
  • Ed Sparks - Chief Executive Officer

    Ed Sparks, the Chief Executive Officer at Grace, directs the company's overall strategic vision and operational execution. Overseeing global business units, the Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment with market demands for specialty chemicals and materials. This leadership role involves driving innovation in catalyst technologies and material science to meet diverse industrial needs. By optimizing resource allocation and fostering cross-functional collaboration, Ed Sparks directly impacts Grace's market position and financial performance. Ultimately, Sparks secures long-term growth and shareholder value through decisive leadership and strategic foresight. The Chief Executive Officer's purview extends to all aspects of Grace's worldwide operations, ensuring consistent delivery of high-performance products and solutions to customers across various sectors, including transportation fuels and consumer goods. This executive champions the company's commitment to sustainability and technological advancement, guiding Grace's trajectory in a competitive global landscape.
    Ed Sparks

    Mathew Bennett - Chief Financial Officer

    Mathew Bennett, the Chief Financial Officer at Grace, manages the company's financial strategy and reporting. Overseeing all fiscal operations, the Chief Financial Officer ensures robust financial health and compliance across global markets. This leadership role involves strategic capital allocation, risk management, and investor relations to support Grace's growth objectives. By optimizing financial planning and analysis, Mathew Bennett directly impacts the company's profitability and investment capacity. Ultimately, Bennett safeguards the company's financial integrity and drives sustainable economic performance. The Chief Financial Officer's responsibilities include managing treasury functions, overseeing accounting practices, and developing financial models that support Grace's expansion into new product lines and geographic regions. This executive's expertise is critical for navigating complex financial regulations and maximizing shareholder returns in the specialty chemicals sector.

    William Agne - Chief Financial Officer, Polyolefin & Chemical Catalysts

    William Agne, the Chief Financial Officer, Polyolefin & Chemical Catalysts at Grace, manages the financial operations specifically for the catalyst technologies segment. Overseeing financial planning, analysis, and reporting for polyolefin and chemical catalysts, the Chief Financial Officer ensures fiscal discipline and strategic investment within this critical business unit. This leadership role involves driving financial performance and supporting the commercial objectives of Grace Catalysts Technologies. By optimizing financial strategies, William Agne directly impacts the profitability and growth of the catalyst division. Ultimately, Agne provides crucial financial insights to guide decision-making for this specialized area of Grace's business. The Chief Financial Officer's focus includes managing budgets, forecasting revenue, and assessing the financial viability of new product developments and market expansions within the polyolefin and chemical catalyst sectors.
    William Agne

    Michael Brown - Senior VP, Information Technology & Chief Financial Officer

    Michael Brown, the Senior VP, Information Technology & Chief Financial Officer at Grace, bridges technology leadership with financial oversight. Overseeing critical IT functions and contributing to the company's financial strategy, the Chief Financial Officer ensures technology investments align with fiscal goals. This dual leadership role involves driving efficiency through integrated IT and financial systems, supporting Grace's global operations in specialty chemicals and materials. By optimizing resource utilization across technology and finance, Michael Brown directly impacts Grace's operational effectiveness and financial health. Ultimately, Brown enhances the synergy between technological advancement and sound financial management. The Chief Financial Officer's responsibilities include managing IT budgets, overseeing financial reporting systems, and ensuring that technology infrastructure supports the strategic objectives of both Grace Catalysts Technologies and Grace Materials Technologies.
    Michael Brown

    Gregory Poling - President & Chief Operating Officer

    Gregory Poling, the President & Chief Operating Officer at Grace, directs the company's day-to-day operational activities and execution of business strategies. Overseeing global manufacturing, supply chain logistics, and production efficiency, the Chief Operating Officer ensures seamless delivery of specialty chemicals and materials worldwide. This leadership role involves optimizing operational workflows and driving continuous improvement across all production facilities. By enhancing operational performance, Gregory Poling directly impacts Grace's capacity to meet customer demand and maintain product quality standards. Ultimately, Poling ensures the efficient and effective functioning of Grace's global enterprise. The Chief Operating Officer's responsibilities encompass managing the performance of both the Grace Catalysts Technologies and Grace Materials Technologies segments, focusing on maximizing output and minimizing costs while upholding stringent safety and environmental protocols.

    Joanne Green - President, Grace Materials Technologies

    Joanne Green, the President, Grace Materials Technologies at Grace, leads the strategic direction and operational performance of the materials segment. Overseeing the development, production, and commercialization of silica-based and silica-alumina-based materials, the President ensures market leadership in coatings, consumer, industrial, and pharmaceutical applications. This leadership role involves driving innovation and expanding the product portfolio to meet evolving customer needs globally. By fostering strong customer relationships and optimizing supply chain operations, Joanne Green directly impacts the growth and profitability of Grace Materials Technologies. Ultimately, Green champions the segment's commitment to delivering high-quality, performance-driven material solutions. The President's focus includes exploring new market opportunities and enhancing the value proposition of Grace's advanced materials offerings worldwide.

    Michael Piergrossi - President, Grace Ltd (China)

    Michael Piergrossi, the President, Grace Ltd (China) at Grace, directs the company's strategic initiatives and operational execution within the significant Chinese market. Overseeing all business activities in China, the President ensures alignment with Grace's global objectives while adapting to local market dynamics for specialty chemicals and materials. This leadership role involves driving growth, managing regional operations, and fostering key stakeholder relationships within China. By strengthening Grace's presence and market share in this vital region, Michael Piergrossi directly impacts the company's overall global performance. Ultimately, Piergrossi ensures the successful expansion and sustained success of Grace's operations in China. The President's focus includes navigating regulatory landscapes, optimizing supply chains, and capitalizing on emerging opportunities within the Chinese chemical and materials industries.
    Michael Piergrossi

    Thomas Deman - President, Performance Catalyst Solutions

    Thomas Deman, the President, Performance Catalyst Solutions at Grace, leads the strategic vision and operational management for the company's catalyst offerings. Overseeing the development, manufacturing, and distribution of fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysts, FCC additives, and hydro processing catalysts, the President drives innovation in fuel production and petroleum upgrading. This leadership role involves enhancing catalyst performance and expanding market reach for Grace Catalysts Technologies globally. By ensuring the delivery of superior catalyst solutions, Thomas Deman directly impacts the efficiency and output of refineries worldwide. Ultimately, Deman solidifies Grace's position as a leader in catalyst technology. The President's focus includes advancing catalyst science, supporting customer success through technical expertise, and driving sustainable solutions within the energy sector.
    Thomas Deman

    Mark Cluff - Global President, Operations & Supply Chain

    Mark Cluff, the Global President, Operations & Supply Chain at Grace, oversees the company's worldwide manufacturing processes and logistical networks. Directing all aspects of global operations and supply chain management, the President ensures efficient production and timely delivery of specialty chemicals and materials across international markets. This leadership role involves optimizing operational efficiency, managing inventory, and strengthening supplier relationships to support Grace's business objectives. By enhancing operational and supply chain performance, Mark Cluff directly impacts Grace's ability to meet customer demand reliably and cost-effectively. Ultimately, Cluff fortifies the backbone of Grace's global enterprise, ensuring seamless execution from raw material sourcing to final product distribution. The President's focus includes implementing best practices in manufacturing and logistics to drive continuous improvement and maintain competitive advantage.

    Jeff Sherman - Senior VP & Chief Information Officer

    Jeff Sherman, the Senior VP & Chief Information Officer at Grace, leads the company's technology strategy and digital transformation initiatives. Overseeing all IT infrastructure and cybersecurity measures, the Chief Information Officer ensures operational resilience and data integrity across Grace's global operations. This leadership role involves implementing advanced digital solutions to enhance efficiency in the production of specialty chemicals and materials. By driving technological innovation, Jeff Sherman directly impacts Grace's ability to serve customers and adapt to evolving market needs. Ultimately, Sherman fortifies the company's technological foundation and supports strategic business objectives through robust IT governance. The Chief Information Officer's focus includes leveraging data analytics for improved decision-making and streamlining processes within both Grace Catalysts Technologies and Grace Materials Technologies segments, ensuring seamless integration of new technologies.
    Jeff Sherman

    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Grace Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Grace?
    Grace is led by Ed Sparks (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Mathew Bennett (Chief Financial Officer) and William Agne (Chief Financial Officer, Polyolefin & Chemical Catalysts).
    Who is part of Grace’s executive team?
    The executive team of Grace includes leaders such as Ed Sparks (Chief Executive Officer), Mathew Bennett (Chief Financial Officer), William Agne (Chief Financial Officer, Polyolefin & Chemical Catalysts) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Grace have?
    Grace has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Grace’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Grace includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Polyolefin & Chemical Catalysts, Senior VP, Information Technology & Chief Financial Officer, President & Chief Operating Officer.