Michigan based chemical maker The Dow Chemical Company announced that William S. Stavropoulos would retire as Chairman of the board, effective April 1, 2006. Dow's Board of Directors has elected Andrew N. Liveris, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), to succeed Stavropoulos as Chairman upon his retirement. Liveris will retain his role as President and CEO.
Stavropoulos, 66, is retiring after 39 years of service at Dow. He was elected to Dow's Board in 1990 and has served as Chairman since 2000. Dow's Board of Directors elected Liveris, 51, President and Chief Executive Officer in 2004. He had served as President and Chief Operating Officer since 2003.
Stavropoulos joined Dow in 1967 and held a variety of research and business positions before becoming President of Dow Latin America in 1984. In 1990, he was named President of Dow U.S.A. and was elected a Vice President of Dow. Stavropoulos was elected to Dow's Board of Directors in 1990 and became Chief Operating Officer in 1993. He served as Chief Executive Officer during 1995-2000 and 2002-2004.
Northwood University's 2004 Outstanding Business Leader Award; an honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from Northwood University in 1998; and induction into Junior Achievement of Central Michigan's Business Hall of Fame in 2005.
Stavropoulos holds a bachelor of science degree from Fordham University and a doctorate in medicinal chemistry from the University of Washington.
Liveris was elected to Dow's Board of Directors in 2004. His 29-year Dow career has spanned manufacturing, sales, marketing, new business development and management. He has spent the bulk of his career in Asia, where he was general manager for the company's operations in Thailand, and later head of all Asia-Pacific operations. He began his Dow career in 1976 in Australia.
marketing@alchempro.com
