Grace Executive and Leadership Team

September, 2026

Leadership Overview

Grace has 8 executives leading key functions including strategy, financial oversight, operational excellence, and technology integration.

Focused on advancing specialty chemical innovation, Grace delivers high-performance materials and catalyst solutions to global markets while maintaining a commitment to sustainable industrial progress and long-term value creation.

Leadership Roles at Grace

  • Chief Executive Officer - Ed Sparks
  • Chief Financial Officer - Mathew Bennett
  • Chief Financial Officer, Polyolefin & Chemical Catalysts - William Agne
  • Chief Operating Officer - Ronald Hart
  • President & Chief Operating Officer - Gregory Poling
  • President, Materials Technologies - Brenda Kelly
  • President, Performance Catalyst Solutions - Thomas Deman
  • Senior VP & Chief Information Officer - Jeff Sherman
  • Ed Sparks - Chief Executive Officer

    Ed Sparks, the Chief Executive Officer at Grace, directs the overarching corporate strategy and long-term vision for the specialty chemicals enterprise. Overseeing global operations, the Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment across the Catalysts Technologies and Materials Technologies segments. This leadership role involves driving growth through innovation in fluid catalytic cracking and silica-based material applications. By managing relationships with the Board and external stakeholders, Ed Sparks secures the necessary resources to maintain market leadership in the petroleum and industrial sectors. The Chief Executive Officer prioritizes operational efficiency and sustainable product development to meet evolving consumer demands. Through rigorous oversight of capital allocation and strategic investments, the Chief Executive Officer strengthens the competitive position of the organization. Ultimately, Sparks fosters a culture of excellence that supports the delivery of high-performance chemical solutions to customers worldwide.
    Ed Sparks

    Mathew Bennett - Chief Financial Officer

    Mathew Bennett, the Chief Financial Officer at Grace, manages the financial health and fiscal strategy of the organization. Overseeing global financial planning, the Chief Financial Officer ensures accurate reporting and compliance across all business segments. This leadership role involves optimizing capital structures to support the production of specialty chemicals and materials. By analyzing market trends and economic indicators, Mathew Bennett provides critical insights that guide investment decisions in catalyst technologies. The Chief Financial Officer collaborates with executive leadership to maintain robust internal controls and drive shareholder value. Through disciplined cost management and revenue forecasting, the Chief Financial Officer supports the expansion of the company's global footprint. Ultimately, Bennett secures the financial stability required to sustain long-term research and development initiatives within the competitive chemical manufacturing landscape.

    William Agne - Chief Financial Officer, Polyolefin & Chemical Catalysts

    William Agne, the Chief Financial Officer, Polyolefin & Chemical Catalysts at Grace, manages the financial performance of the polyolefin and chemical catalyst business units. Overseeing budgetary planning, the Chief Financial Officer, Polyolefin & Chemical Catalysts ensures that resources are allocated effectively to support the production of polypropylene and polyethylene resins. This leadership role involves analyzing the profitability of gas-phase process technologies and industrial chemical applications. By monitoring cost structures and revenue streams, William Agne provides the financial oversight necessary to maintain market competitiveness. The Chief Financial Officer, Polyolefin & Chemical Catalysts collaborates with operational leaders to optimize margins and drive growth in the catalyst segment. Through rigorous financial analysis, the Chief Financial Officer, Polyolefin & Chemical Catalysts supports strategic investments in new catalyst supports. Ultimately, Agne ensures the financial health of these critical business segments.
    William Agne

    Ronald Hart - Chief Operating Officer

    Ronald Hart, the Chief Operating Officer at Grace, directs the daily execution of manufacturing processes and supply chain logistics. Overseeing production facilities, the Chief Operating Officer ensures the efficient output of fluid catalytic cracking catalysts and hydro processing solutions. This leadership role involves optimizing process reactors to upgrade heavy oils into lighter products for the global energy market. By streamlining manufacturing workflows, Ronald Hart enhances productivity and maintains high quality standards across all chemical production lines. The Chief Operating Officer coordinates with regional teams to ensure seamless distribution and operational reliability. Through continuous improvement initiatives, the Chief Operating Officer drives operational excellence and reduces waste in the production of thermoplastic resins. Ultimately, Hart maintains the operational integrity necessary to meet the complex demands of the petroleum and industrial chemical sectors.

    Gregory Poling - President & Chief Operating Officer

    Gregory Poling, the President & Chief Operating Officer at Grace, architects the strategic implementation of operational policies across the entire organization. Overseeing cross-functional integration, the President & Chief Operating Officer ensures that business units remain aligned with corporate objectives. This leadership role involves managing the complex interplay between catalyst technology development and market delivery. By fostering collaboration between research teams and commercial departments, Gregory Poling accelerates the deployment of new chemical solutions. The President & Chief Operating Officer monitors performance metrics to ensure that production targets meet the needs of the global consumer and industrial markets. Through strategic oversight of organizational processes, the President & Chief Operating Officer drives efficiency and scalability. Ultimately, Poling ensures that the company maintains a robust competitive advantage through superior operational execution and strategic market positioning.

    Brenda Kelly - President, Materials Technologies

    Brenda Kelly, the President, Materials Technologies at Grace, directs the development and commercialization of silica-based and silica-alumina-based materials. Overseeing the Materials Technologies segment, the President, Materials Technologies ensures that products meet the stringent requirements of the pharmaceutical, consumer, and industrial sectors. This leadership role involves driving innovation in material science to expand the company's presence in global markets. By managing the product lifecycle from research to market entry, Brenda Kelly ensures that the segment delivers high-value solutions for coatings and other applications. The President, Materials Technologies collaborates with technical teams to refine material properties and enhance performance. Through strategic market expansion, the President, Materials Technologies drives revenue growth and strengthens the company's reputation for quality. Ultimately, Kelly leads the efforts to maintain a dominant position in the specialty materials market.
    Brenda Kelly

    Thomas Deman - President, Performance Catalyst Solutions

    Thomas Deman, the President, Performance Catalyst Solutions at Grace, directs the strategy and operations for the performance catalyst business. Overseeing the development of specialized catalysts, the President, Performance Catalyst Solutions ensures that the company provides effective solutions for environmental and industrial applications. This leadership role involves managing the technical and commercial aspects of catalyst performance to meet the needs of global clients. By focusing on innovation and customer-centric solutions, Thomas Deman drives the adoption of advanced catalyst technologies. The President, Performance Catalyst Solutions collaborates with research and development teams to push the boundaries of chemical performance. Through strategic market engagement, the President, Performance Catalyst Solutions expands the reach of the company's catalyst portfolio. Ultimately, Deman ensures that the organization remains at the forefront of performance-driven chemical solutions through continuous innovation and operational excellence.
    Thomas Deman

    Jeff Sherman - Senior VP & Chief Information Officer

    Jeff Sherman, the Senior VP & Chief Information Officer at Grace, directs the digital transformation and information technology infrastructure of the company. Overseeing cybersecurity and data management, the Senior VP & Chief Information Officer ensures that all digital systems support the complex requirements of chemical manufacturing. This leadership role involves implementing advanced analytics to optimize the production of silica-based materials and catalyst supports. By integrating secure cloud solutions, Jeff Sherman enables seamless communication across global operations. The Senior VP & Chief Information Officer collaborates with other executives to leverage technology for improved operational efficiency and innovation. Through the deployment of robust IT frameworks, the Senior VP & Chief Information Officer protects intellectual property and enhances data-driven decision-making. Ultimately, Sherman provides the technological foundation necessary for the company to maintain its leadership in the specialty chemicals industry.
    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 8 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, Chief Operating Officer, President & Chief Operating Officer.