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Dow Coating Names North America GM

Friday, December 16, 2011

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Dow Coating Materials, a global business unit of The Dow Chemical Company, has named Jose Maria Bermudez as the new general manager for North America.

In this role, Bermudez will lead all aspects of Dow Coating Materials’ business in North America, including sales, manufacturing and engineering, technical services, supply chain, customer service and marketing.

‘Respected Business Leader’

“Jose Maria is an experienced, respected business leader with comprehensive understanding of our industry, technology and organization,” said Guillermo Novo, Dow Coating Materials group vice president.

Jose Maria Bermudez was most recently general manager for Dow Coating Materials in Latin America.

“His innovative thinking and proven management style will help ensure that we continue to provide our customers in North America with the highest degree of service and product innovation.”

The change comes at a “critical time in the industry,” said Bermudez, who will be based at the company’s headquarters in Philadelphia.

“The global coatings industry continues to move toward a more solution-based strategy across every manufacturing and application segment,” Bermudez said. “I look forward to working closely with Dow customers in North America to deliver integrated product and performance solutions and valuable efficiencies to help drive growth.”

Dow Veteran

Bermudez has served in a variety of senior leadership roles with Dow (and previously Rohm and Haas) for more than 20 years, most recently as the general manager for Dow Coating Materials in Latin America.

He holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from Vanderbilt University, a master’s degree of science in Quality Management from Tampa College, and a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Chemical Engineering from UDLAP in Puebla, Mexico.

In addition to his role at Dow role, Bermudez has served on the Board of Directors for Fondo Unido (United Way Mexico), the American Chamber of Commerce, and ANIQ (Asociacion Nacional de la Industria Quimica).

With 43 manufacturing plants worldwide and 13 dedicated R&D facilities, Dow Coating Materials is one of the largest coatings raw material suppliers in the world.