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ChemQuest Names New Personnel Appointments
Global business strategy and external specialty chemicals technology development firm The ChemQuest Group Inc. has recently announced several new leadership appointments via emailed release. The company has named Joel Shertok and Milis Rodrigues as Directors, as well as Susan Sutton as the new Director of Communications.
About Shertok
In his new role, Shertok will reportedly support ChemQuest’s Manufacturing Excellence, and M&A Advisory Services pillars. With more than 40 years of experience, he has had successes in new product development, mergers and acquisitions, new business ventures and teams, international investigations of novel technologies, and EPA/OSHA regulatory issues.
According to the company, Shertok has held numerous senior-level executive positions with companies such as Advanced Plasma Solutions, Rochester Midland Corp. and Graver Technologies. He also founded Process Industries Consultants, Inc. in 2014, assisting clients from advanced technical industries in his role as president and senior consultant.
His recent work has reportedly included sustainability-related initiatives such as carbon dioxide removal, focusing on process scale-up and commercialization.
“Joel is an established expert in manufacturing operational efficiencies and methodologies. As complexity in the manufacturing sector continues to expand, our clients look to us for thought leadership and technical expertise to not only identify potential new product development opportunities but to also optimize the testing and commercialization processes,” said Daniel Murad, ChemQuest CEO.
“I’m thrilled that our clients will benefit from Joel’s wide-ranging experience in the chemical process and materials industries,” Murad added.
“It is a pleasure to join such a well-established consulting organization. ChemQuest will enable me to use my talents to focus on the technical engineering consulting work I like and want to do. I am also pleased to become part of a team that will allow me to participate in much larger, more impactful projects than I could working by myself,” Shertok said.
Shertok holds doctorate and master’s degrees in chemical engineering from Princeton University, as well as a Bachelor of Engineering degree from The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art. He is reportedly based in Newark, Delaware.
About Rodrigues
According to the emailed release, in her role as Director, Rodrigues will explore business development opportunities in Brazil, also serving as a client resource for ChemQuest’s Business Strategy and Transformation, Technology Development, and M&A Advisory Services pillars.
Rodrigues’ career began in the paints and coatings industry 33 years ago as a research and development formulator with AkzoNobel, before moving up to positions of increasing responsibility such as technical sales representative of Marine and Offshore Coatings and manager of Decorative and Yacht Trade and Retail.
Afterwards, she moved to Jotun Coatings, where she held roles as technical sales manager and commercial director, technical services, Brazil. She also worked as a technical sales director, Brazil, for Hempel and, most recently, as business unit director, Brazil and South Cone for PPG Protective Marine Coatings.
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According to the emailed release, in her role as Director, Rodrigues will explore business development opportunities in Brazil, also serving as a client resource for ChemQuest’s Business Strategy and Transformation, Technology Development, and M&A Advisory Services pillars. |
“During her accomplished career, Milis has demonstrated leadership excellence with many multinational organizations. Her robust experience spans business development and management, market analysis, strategic planning, and marketing and branding, all of which will be of huge benefit when assisting our expanding global client base in identifying opportunities for growth and development,” said Murad.
“The warm and professional welcome from Dan and the ChemQuest team has been wonderful. I am excited to lead efforts to expand ChemQuest business opportunities in Brazil and South America, taking into consideration all of the technology and innovation capabilities within the organization. I am simply delighted to be part of the group,” Rodrigues said.
Rodrigues earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial chemistry from the Universidade Federal Fluminense in Brazil. She has also reportedly completed numerous executive programs in sales management, team leadership, health and safety, and coatings inspection.
ChemQuest reports that Rodrigues is based in Brazil and speaks English, Portuguese and Spanish.
About Sutton
According to the company, as Director of Communications, Sutton will work closely with ChemQuest leadership to develop and communicate business strategy initiatives. Key efforts will focus on media relations and content development, website enhancement, corporate branding, event planning, project management and development support for market intelligence tools such as the Coatings TraQr interactive dashboard and forecasting platform.
Sutton reportedly has nearly 24 years of editorial and content development experience in B2B publishing, covering industries ranging from adhesives and sealants to specialty chemicals and advanced materials.
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According to the company, as Director of Communications, Sutton will work closely with ChemQuest leadership to develop and communicate business strategy initiatives. |
Most recently, she served as editor-in-chief, integrated media for Adhesives & Sealants Industry magazine, where she was responsible for the publication’s eMagazine and website content. This included thought leadership pieces, technical feature articles, and industry news and trends reports, as well as podcasts, videos and social media efforts.
“Susan brings many years of experience and contacts from the adhesive industry, which is highly applicable to the broader specialty chemicals world. During her 12 years as editor-in-chief of ASI, she honed impressive skills in writing, editing, interviewing, trade show organization, webinars, website content, social media and more,” said Edye Fox Abrams, ChemQuest Vice President, Business Development and Marketing.
“I am delighted that Susan has joined our team to help communicate ChemQuest’s message and capabilities to not only our existing clients and internal team but the specialty chemicals sector as well.”
“I’ve worked with ChemQuest numerous times over the years and have always been impressed with their deep industry knowledge and expertise,” Sutton said.
“Their commitment to providing clients with in-depth, data-driven market insights, strategy and forecasting, as well as assistance with real-world technology solutions like new product development and commercialization, manufacturing efficiencies, and support for merger and acquisition opportunities, is exciting and inspiring to be a part of. The team is truly top-notch, and I’m thrilled to be joining them.”
Other Recent Appointment
In November, ChemQuest announced the appointment of Abe Rezai as Senior Vice President. The appointment took effect Nov. 1.
According to the emailed release, in his role, Rezai will support strategy development and key client engagements for the firm, including projects related to business transformation, technology development and advisement for mergers, acquisitions and divestitures.
ChemQuest reports that Rezai has more than 40 years of background experience in technical and executive management roles for global organizations within the specialty chemicals and consumer products industries. Most recently, he served as vice president and chief technology officer for Sekisui Fuller, as well as previously holding roles with H.B. Fuller and Procter & Gamble.
Rezai reportedly has a track record of successfully delivering breakthrough business results, building collaborative relationships, developing and executing global commercialization strategies and leading organizational transformation.
Rezai holds a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Missouri, Columbia. He reportedly went on to become a faculty member of Northwestern University for organic chemistry, in addition to authoring numerous peer-reviewed publications.
As an inventor, Rezai has over 100 patents related to specialty chemistry and commercial products. He is reportedly based in Huntington Beach, California, and speaks English, Farsi and Japanese.
