Cleveland, Oh., USA - November 15, 2012, Cleveland, Oh., USA - Ferro Corporation, a producer of technology-based performance materials for manufacturers, announced that James F. Kirsch has stepped down as president, CEO and a member of the board of directors.
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Mr. Kirsch was elected Chairman of Ferro’s Board of Directors in December 2006. He was appointed Chief Executive Officer and a Director in November 2005. Mr. Kirsch joined Ferro in October 2004 as its President and Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining Ferro, Mr. Kirsch served as President of Premix Inc. and Quantum Composites, Inc., manufacturers of thermoset molding compounds, parts and sub-assemblies for the automotive, aerospace, electrical and HVAC industries.
Prior to that, from 2002 through 2004, he served as President of Quantum Composites, Inc. From 2000 through 2002, he served as President and director of Ballard Generation Systems and Vice President for Ballard Power Systems in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.
Mr. Kirsch started his career with The Dow Chemical Company, where he spent 19 years and held various positions of increasing responsibility, including global business director of Propylene Oxide and Derivatives and Global Vice President of Electrochemicals. The Board has engaged a third-party search firm to assist in the search for a permanent successor to Mr. Kirsch and will consider both internal and external candidates.
Peter T. Thomas, Operating Vice President of Polymer and Ceramic Engineered Materials, has been named Interim President and Chief Executive Officer.
Mr. Thomas has served as Operating Vice President of Polymer and Ceramic Engineered Materials at Ferro since 2009. He began his career with Ferro in 2000 as Director of Sales for Polymer Additives, and has held positions of increasing responsibility, including Commercial Director for Performance and Fine Chemicals, and Vice President of Organic Specialties.
Prior to joining Ferro, Mr. Thomas was Vice President of the Oleochemical-Derivatives business unit for Witco Corporation, where he also served as Vice President of Sales and Global Market Director. Before joining Witco, he served in a variety of roles at Inland Leidy Chemical Distribution, GAF Corporation, and Noxell Corporation. Mr. Thomas received a Master of Business Administration degree from Loyola College, Baltimore, Maryland, and a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. ■