Volume 35, Number 3, March 2000

People

PQ Corporation of Valley Forge, Pa., has granted a three-month leave of absence to president and CEO Richard W. Kelso. As reported by The Associated Press, Kelso and his wife, Dawn, have been charged with child abandonment by Delaware authorities for allegedly leaving their 10-year-old disabled son at a hospital with a note that they could no longer care for him. Hospital officials did not detail the boy’s condition, but said he needs constant medical attention.

Stanley W. Silverman, executive vice president and chief operating officer for PQ Corp. will serve as acting chief executive officer.

Thomas Chen, president of Crystal Window & Door Systems of Flushing, N.Y., was named the 1999 “Business Person of the Year” in the large business category by the Queens County Chamber of Commerce. Chen was selected for his contribution to the Queens community, economy and quality of life.

“It is truly an honor to be recognized by the Queens County Chamber with this distinguished award,” said Chen. “I have always been proud to be a New York City manufacturer, and I have found the business community and government of Queens to be especially supportive of Crystal’s efforts to develop and grow its business.”

EFCO Corporation of Monett, Mo., recently announced three appointments. Bill Mitchell, a 25-year veteran of business-to-business sales, has joined the company as director of marketing. Mitchell will oversee the development of all advertising and promotional materials. Dean Orem has been named director of human resources and will administer all facets of the human resource function for EFCO’s more than 1,800 employees. Orem previously served as human resource manager for Schreiber Foods Inc. for 21 years. Darren Kimzey has joined the company as director of safety and health. Kimzey is recognized as a Certified Safety Professional, the highest level of certification awarded to safety professionals. He comes to EFCO after several years in a similar position for Lozier Corporation in Omaha.

Kimberly Gerlach has joined the Bath Enclosure Manufacturers Association (BEMA) in the newly created position of communications director. Gerlach brings five years of marketing and public relations experience to BEMA. Her primary responsibilities will focus on publication and promotion efforts.

Harold Kaye has joined Hygrade Metal Moulding Manufacturing Corporation as senior vice president of business development. Kaye has nearly 30 years experience as the chief executive officer of two leading window fabricators. “We expect Harold to lead us into innovative new products and markets and in the development of comprehensive marketing programs that will assure dynamic sales of our components through our customers’ products,” said company chairperson Vince Pagano. He said Kaye will also work with extruders to design new features and products for fabricators.

The board of directors of St. Louis-based Solutia Inc. has announced changes to its board of directors. John C. Hunter III, the current president and chief executive officer, has been named chairman. Robert G. Potter has stepped down as chairman but will remain a member of the board. Michael E. Miller, Solutia’s vice chairman, has been elected to the board and will also take on the responsibility of chief operating officer.

Richard (Dick) Voreis has left U.S. Aluminum and his position of group executive vice president. Voreis has been replaced by Doug Ellerbrock, former vice president of operations.

Tom Chamberlain