2013 Global Growth Marcelo Odebrecht President and CEO Odebrecht S.A. Biography			2013 Lifetime Achievement Jon M. Huntsman Founder and Executive Chairman Huntsman Corporation Biography
2013 Private Equity Peter DeLeeuw Co-Founder and Managing Director Lion Chemical Capital Biography			2013 Private Equity David DeLeeuw Co-Founder & Managing Director Lion Chemical Capital Biography
2012 Leadership Awards -- Summary Video
2012 Global Growth Juan Pablo del Valle Perochena Chairman of Mexichem Biography del Valle Award Video			2012 Lifetime Achievement Peter McCausland Chairman of Airgas Biography McCausland Award Video
2012 Private Equity John Televantos Partner of Arsenal Capital Biography Televantos Award Video   Special Mention: 2012 USA Gold       Medal, International Chemistry       Olympiad Chris Hillenbrand Sophomore at Regis High School Biography Hillenbrand Recognition Video

December 6, 2012	CM&E Awards for Leadership at the Chemicals M&A Outlook
The Yale Club 50 Vanderbilt Avenue New York 11 am – 3:00 pm No Webcast	The Inaugural Awards for Leadership instituted as part of the December 6, 2012 celebration of CM&E’s 58 years of service, were presented at our premier group event of the year, the Chemical Merger & Acquisitions Outlook. Funds raised are to bolster ACS scholarships, National Chemistry Week (K-12) and other STEM education programs. Award Press Release Award Flier Honorees: Juan Pablo del Valle (Mexichem), Peter McCausland (Airgas) and John Televantos (Arsenal Capital). STEM Recognition: Chris Hillenbrand, Chemistry Olympiad Gold Medalist. Modern Dance Performance: Limon Dance Company Duet "A Time to Embrace" Limon Dance Performance Video Panelists: Stephen Arcano, Partner and leader of Skadden’s New York M&A Group; Neil Burns, Managing Partner at Neil A. Burns LLC (Introduction); Chris Cerimele, Director and Head of Chemicals at Houlihan Lockey (Moderator); Daniel Hoverman, Director, Capital Markets, Houlihan Lokey; Damon Warmack, VP Corporate Development & Strategy, Eastman Chemical; and Dean Willard, Executive in Residence. Jordan Company. News Articles: Courtesy of CM&E Media Partners Dec 6 ICIS Article Chemical M&A Dec 6 ICIS Article Mexichem-Pemex JV Partners: the American Chemistry Council, the Andean Associations of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela, The Brazilian American Chamber of Commerce, the Chemists’ Club,ICIS, the New York Biotechnology Association, the Peruvian Business Council, Société de Chimie Industrielle, SOCMA and the US-Mexican Chamber of Commerce.

Merit and Biographies

 

Marcelo Odebrecht - 2013 Global Growth Leadership Award

“Mr. Odebrecht’s record in capturing growth opportunities in a vast array of industries and creating value through bold strategies is truly outstanding,” said Mr. George Rodriguez, Chairman of CM&E, Board member of ACS NY Section and Director at Argeni. “In addition, his commitment to environmental and social responsibility initiatives symbolizes the visionary quality of a leader.”

“I am honored to receive this CM&E award on behalf of all employees at the Odebrecht and Braskem family of companies,” Mr. Odebrecht said. “The American Chemical Society, and in particular the CM&E group, provides a rich forum for industry insights that also helps support STEM education, the engine of global economic progress. I congratulate CM&E for dedicating 59 years of service to the society.”

Under the leadership of Marcelo Odebrecht, Odebrecht S.A. has become a prominent builder of the continent of South America and one of the fastest growing conglomerates achieving sales of over $40 billion in 2011. Odebrecht’s contributions in the world of chemistry are evident through Braskem, which is the Americas’ top thermoplastic resins producer and the world’s fifth petrochemical producer. With 36 industrial plants spread across Brazil, United States and Germany, the company produces over 35 billion pounds of thermoplastic resins and other petrochemicals per year. Braskem is also the world’s leading biopolymers producer with its 440 million pound Green PE plant that produces polyethylene from sugarcane-based ethanol.

Odebrecht S.A. is a holding company which is present in over 20 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas. Marcelo is also the Chairman of the Operating Companies that comprise the group. He joined the Odebrecht group in 1992. In 2002, he was appointed CEO of Construtora Norberto Odebrecht, the largest Engineering and Construction Company in Latin America. At the end of 2008, he became CEO of Odebrecht holding company, which is active in several business segments such as engineering and construction, petrochemicals, transportation and infrastructure, oil and gas, bio-energy, real estate, and environmental services.

Marcelo Bahia Odebrecht holds a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from the Federal University of Bahia, Brazil, and an MBA from IMD in Lausanne, Switzerland.

 

Jon M. Huntsman - 2013 Lifetime Achievement Leadership Award

Forty years ago Jon M. Huntsman founded Huntsman Corporation with the purchase a small entrepreneurial plastics packaging business.  Last year Huntsman revenues exceeded $11 billion.  However, business success alone has not defined Mr. Huntsman who in 2011 Forbes Magazine counted among the 18 “most generous givers on the planet.”

“It is uncommon to start a company and turn it into a global multibillion dollar corporation,” Mr. George Rodriguez, Chair of CM&E and Board member of ACS NY Section noted. “Mr. Huntsman is a trailblazer who has remained undeterred when faced with economic and technology challenges. Further, his genuine concern for humanity and utmost generosity are exemplary.” Mr. Huntsman said he was honored and noted that “The public and  chemical professionals find a wonderful home for industry insights and networking in the CM&E group of the American Chemical Society New York Section. I commend CM&E’s support of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students, earnest harbingers  of a better world.”

Originally known for pioneering innovations in packaging and, later, for rapid and integrated growth in petrochemicals, Huntsman Corporation’s operating companies today manufacture chemical products used in a wide range of industries, with more than 12,000 employees and multiple locations worldwide.  Corporate ethics has been at the core of Jon Huntsman’s career. He authored the book Winners Never Cheat: Everyday Values We Learned as Children (But May Have Forgotten).   The second edition is entitled Winners Never Cheat: Even in Difficult Times, which was listed on the Wall Street Journal’s Best Sellers List.

Widely recognized as one of America’s foremost concerned citizens and philanthropists, Mr. Huntsman’s lifetime humanitarian giving, including contributions to the homeless, the ill and the under-privileged, exceeds $1.4 billion and has assisted thousands, both domestically and internationally. The Chronicle of Philanthropy placed Mr. Huntsman second on their 2007 list of largest donors.  The Huntsman Cancer Institute was founded by Mr. Huntsman and his wife, Karen, in 1995 to accelerate the work of curing cancer through human genetics.  The Institute is now one of America's major cancer centers dedicated to finding a cure.  The combined facility features leading-edge research laboratories with a state-of-the-art hospital treating cancer patients.

Jon and Karen Huntsman are the parents of nine children.  They have 56 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Mr. Huntsman has served in senior leadership positions in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the past fifty years. The numerous awards that Mr. Huntsman has received include the Chemical Heritage Foundation Othmer Award for Outstanding Inventions in Plastics, the Freedom Foundation Great Humanitarian Award, American Cancer Society Medal of Honor and WSJ’s Innovator of the Year Award. In 2000 he was named One of Ten Most Influential Utahns in the 20th Century.

Mr. Huntsman earned his under-graduate degree at The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, and subsequently earned an MBA from the University of Southern California. He served under President Richard M. Nixon as Special Assistant to the President and as White House Staff Secretary.

 

Peter DeLeeuw - 2013 Private Equity Leadership Award

“Entrepreneurship runs deep in the blood of Peter and David De Leeuw,” Mr. George Rodriguez, Chairman of CM&E and Board member of ACS NY Section noted. “Their ability to select companies, transform them and realize their potential is remarkable. Also, their active involvement and support of academic and non-profit industry organizations are attributes of true leadership.”

“Few organizations have the 59-year rich tradition of service like the CM&E group of the American Chemical Society New York Section. My brother and I are deeply honored to be nominated,“ said Peter De Leeuw.

Pete DeLeeuw has been involved in the global chemicals sector for over 40 years as a senior executive and investor with a wealth of management and operating experience. Prior to forming the Firm in 2001, from 1998 to 2000, Pete was CEO of Sterling Chemicals, a $1.2 billion producer and marketer of petrochemicals. In Pete’s final year, Sterling’s EBITDA increased over 300% to $160 million, which represented the company’s highest annual earnings since 1996.

From 1977 to 1998, Pete was with Shell Chemicals, a $5+ billion revenue organization, and from 1989 to 1997 he served as a Group Vice President. At Shell, Pete led acquisitions, expansions, reorganizations, and divestitures. Also, for over 20 years, Pete exercised profit and loss responsibility at the executive operating level for various Shell businesses including basic chemicals, polymers, elastomers, solvents, detergents, epoxies, and catalysts, which had revenues ranging from $400 million to over $4 billion.

Peter received an MBA (University of Rochester) and a BA in Economics (Syracuse University). Pete’s many corporate and industry organization board positions include  that of Chairman at Shell International Catalyst, Excel Polymers and Lion Copolymer  as well as member of the Executive Committee at the Society of Plastics Industry and a director at Chemical Manufacturers Organization.

 

David DeLeeuw - 2013 Private Equity Leadership Award

“Entrepreneurship runs deep in the blood of Peter and David De Leeuw,” Mr. George Rodriguez, Chairman of CM&E and Board member of ACS NY Section noted. “Their ability to select companies, transform them and realize their potential is remarkable. Also, their active involvement and support of academic and non-profit industry organizations are attributes of true leadership.”

“We feel privileged to be in the company of past Awards honorees. The 2012 Award M&A panel discussion was very informative and I was touched by the speech of ‘our’ 15-year-old USA Gold Medalist of the 2012 International Chemistry Olympiad about the urgent need to support K-12 STEM education,” David De Leeuw said.

David De Leeuw has more than 10 years of investment experience in the chemical and materials industries and more than 40 years of investment experience in various sectors including, consumer goods and services, and financial services. 

Prior to establishing Lion Chemical and Lion Cao, Mr. De Leeuw, was a founding partner at McCown De Leeuw & Co., which raised more than $1.2 billion in four funds and invested over $1 billion in 40 leveraged platform acquisitions and over 100 add-ons. David  played a key role in numerous financings including IPOs, mezzanine debt, bonds, and private financings, as well as acquisitions, divestitures, and secondary offerings over a 20 year period. Prior to founding MDC in 1984, David led the leveraged acquisitions group at Citibank, and was previously at W.R. Grace & Co., and Paine Webber in New York and Tokyo.

David has served on more than 25 Boards since 1984, often as Chairman or Vice Chairman, including Excel Polymers and Lion Copolymer, a manufacturer and distributor of EPDM and SBR rubbers and specialty polymers. David received an MBA (Columbia), and a BA in History (Lafayette College).  He is currently an Advisory Board Member of Columbia’s Private Equity Program, and  has served as a visiting lecturer at Columbia Business School and Harvard College.

 

Juan Pablo del Valle Perochena - 2012 Global Growth Leadership Award

Mr. del Valle has been a visionary leader. In 2003, Mexichem, S. A. B. de C. V., was a domestic Mexican company with annual sales over $258 million (all figures in US dollars) in plastic pipes, chemicals and petrochemicals. Fast forward eight years and it is now a thriving Global Latina company operating in 42 countries, including the Americas, Europe and Japan. It has increased sales 15 times to $3.8 billion, EBITDA 20-fold to $830 million (22% of sales), and market value 42-fold. It has completed over 75 acquisitions including Ineos Fluor in 2010, Bayshore in 2011, and Wavin N.V. at $700 million in 2012. Its 2011 JV with PEMEX amounted to $550 million. In 2012 Mexichem estimates sales of $5.6 billion and EBITDA of $1,120 million. With more than 16,000 employees, the company has the largest fluorspar mine in the world and is the only fully integrated coolant gas producer in America. It is also the largest producer of PVC resin in Latin America and contributes actively to the dynamic growth of the countries.

“Mr. del Valle’s record in building value through bold acquisitions while fostering a tenacious culture that goes further to serve customers is truly impressive,” Mr. George Rodriguez, Chairman of CM&E, Board member of ACS NY Section and Managing Director at Argeni said. “In addition, his championing of corporate social responsibility, large low income housing projects and key nonprofit associations are emblematic of the qualities that CM&E seeks in a leader.”

“It is an honor to receive this CM&E award that I will share with all employees of Mexichem and the Kaluz Group,” Mr. del Valle added. “CM&E meetings provide fantastic cross-sector insights on relevant industry topics that I have found useful in shaping global strategies. Congratulations to CM&E for dedicating almost six decades of service to its members.”

Mr. Juan Pablo del Valle Perochena is an industrial Engineer from Universidad Anahuac, has three children and is married to architect Bárbara Fernandez. He started his career working for Telmex S.A de C.V in 1996. Among other responsibilities, he led the implementation of the first fiber optics sea cable between the U.S.A, México, Central and South América. After graduating from Harvard Business School in 2001, Mr. Del Valle founded Grupo Modulo Progresivo, a low income housing developer in México. Early in 2002 he joined his family business, Grupo Empresarial Kaluz, where he was responsible for real estate investments/ operations and the chemical business. During his leadership, Kaluz has built more than 1 million square feet of housing and mixed used commercial developments. Since 2002 he was deeply involved in the strategy to solidly grow the group´s key subsidiary, Mexichem SAB. Since 2003, the company has grown from a couple of hundred million USD in sales and local presence, to over $3.8 billion USD in sales and global presence. With Mexichem SAB he serves as Chairman of the Board since April 2011, Board member since 2001 and Board Delegate of Mexichem America since 2009.  Mr. del Valle also sits on the board of Kaluz SAB and Elementia S.A de C.V. He participates in nonprofit associations that include: Board member and cofounder of Fundación Kaluz, Board member of the Chairman´s International Advisory Council del Americas Society, and Board Member of the José Limón Dance Foundation.

 

Peter McCausland - 2012 Lifetime Achievement Leadership Award

Mr. McCausland founded Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG) in 1982 with the purchase of Connecticut Oxygen Corporation, an industrial gas distributor with $3 million in annual sales. Through more than 400 acquisitions and the successful execution of strategic growth initiatives over 30 years, McCausland has led Airgas to become one of the premier industrial gas companies in the U.S., with sales of more than $4.7 billion in its most recent fiscal year. Since its IPO in 1986, Airgas has delivered a total return to shareholders that is among the highest in the S&P 500 Index, a select group of companies to which it was added in 2009 as a result of its exceptional growth in market value.

“Few people can found a company, help propel it for three decades and turn it into a consistent top performer in its class,” Mr. Rodriguez noted. “Mr. McCausland is a pioneer who has remained undaunted when faced with challenging market shifts. His passion for creating an environment focused on customers, strengthening operational efficiencies and helping society through his foundation constitutes an exemplary pillar for the chemical industry.”

“The CM&E group of the American Chemical Society New York Section provides a strong foundation for chemical professional networking and science education, which is fundamental for future generations,” Mr. McCausland said. “I am honored to receive this lifetime achievement award and would like to express my profound gratitude to the CM&E group for this recognition and to the more than 15,000 Airgas associates who work tirelessly to bring value to our customers every day.”

Peter McCausland is Chairman of Airgas, Inc., (NYSE: ARG), the largest distributor of industrial, medical and specialty gases and welding equipment and one of the largest distributors of safety supplies in the United States. Mr. McCausland founded Airgas in 1982, has been President and CEO since 1987, previously served as Chairman of the Board from 1987 to September 2010, and was elected Chairman again in August 2011. Before starting the firm, he served as General Counsel for MG Industries, Inc., an industrial gas producer. He also was a founding partner in the law firm of McCausland, Keen & Buckman, which specialized in mergers, acquisitions, and financings. Mr. McCausland serves as a director of the Fox Chase Cancer Center, the Independence Seaport Museum, and the Philadelphia Orchestra Association. He also serves on the Board of Visitors of the College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Carolina, and on the Board of Visitors at the Boston University School of Law. He graduated cum laude from Boston University Law School with a J.D. degree after earning a B.S. degree in history from the University of South Carolina. Mr. McCausland is an avid golfer and competitive sailor. He and his wife, Bonnie, have two children, Christopher and Elizabeth.

 

John Televantos - 2012 Private Equity Leadership Award

Since 2006, Dr. Televantos has been with Arsenal Capital Partners where he serves as co-head of the Specialty Industrial practice of the firm with a focus on Specialty Chemicals and Materials. During his tenure with Arsenal he has been part of several acquisitions and successful exits in the chemicals and materials such as the acquisitions of Flouro-Seal, Royal Adhesives & Sealants, Evonik’s Colorants business, and the acquisition and subsequent divestiture to BASF of Novolyte Technologies. Prior to Arsenal, Dr. Televantos was President of Aqualon Company, owned by Hercules Incorporated, President and Founder of Helios Chemical Company, and Chief Executive Officer for Foamex International.

“Dr. Televantos’ central role in Arsenal’s top deal-making team and his distinguished record as a CEO make him an icon in Specialty Chemicals M&A,” Mr. Rodriguez noted. “His insights and eloquence were enthusiastically received by our members when he was a panelist of our M&A Luncheon in 2011. CM&E is proud to recognize a most prolific leader.”

“I am honored to receive the CM&E award for leadership in the field that is most dear to me,” Dr. Televantos said. “I have been impressed by the stimulating networking, actionable insights and the splendid quality of the meetings organized by this topical group of the American Chemical Society dedicated to business and investments and by its unwavering support for science education.”

Dr. Televantos is a Partner at Arsenal Capital Partners, a leading middle market Private Equity Firm focused in the Specialty Industrials, Healthcare and Specialty Financial Services sectors of the economy. Prior to joining Arsenal in 2006, Dr. Televantos was President of Aqualon Company, owned by Hercules Incorporated, President and Founder of Helios Chemical Company, and Chief Executive Officer for Foamex International. John started his career with Union Carbide, in silicones research and moved through a variety of management positions in urethanes to Vice President of Strategy and Development for ARCO Chemical. For the last 6 years Dr. Televantos has been with Arsenal Capital where he serves as co-head of the Specialty Industrial practice of the firm with a focus on Specialty Chemicals and Materials. During his tenure with Arsenal John has been part of several acquisitions and successful exits in the chemicals and materials sectors of the economy. Dr. Televantos has a B.S. and Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of London, UK. In addition to serving on the Boards of several Arsenal-owned companies he serves on the Board and is lead Director of Balchem Corp (BCPC).

 

Chris Hillenbrand - 2012 USA Gold Medalist in the International Chemistry Olympiad

Chris is a sophomore at Regis High School in New York City. In July of 2012, Chris won the only gold medal for the US at the 44th International Chemistry Olympiad, one of 34 students in the world to achieve this elite level of recognition. At 15, he was the youngest to capture gold at this event, where 283 contestants from 73 nations participated. Initially, out of 14,000 chemistry students nationwide who took part in the local testing, 1000 students made the national level and from this group, he was one of 20 students selected for an intensive 2 week study camp at Air Force Academy in Colorado. He was one of 4 students finally chosen to represent the USA.

At Regis, Chris received the Order of the Owl for excellence in every subject and the General Excellence Award for outstanding achievement outside the school’s academic curriculum. Chris runs the Science Bowl at Regis, a national competition for Science and Mathematics. He is attending the Science Honors Program for High School Students at Columbia University and participates in a research project at New York University.

At the Wardlaw Hartridge School (Edison, NJ), Chris took High School Algebra, Geometry and Biology with excellent scores during elementary school. In Middle School, he continued with AP Chemistry, AP Physics and Honors Physics, as well as SAT subject tests in Math and Chemistry. He obtained top scores of 800 for SAT tests and “5”s in AP exams. He earned a perfect score in the National Latin Examination. Chris is a member of SET (Study of Exceptional Talent) at Johns Hopkins University. He qualified for violin at the New Jersey Regional Orchestra. He loves tennis and skiing.

 

CM&E Awards For Leadership