Dow names Carter as its new COO

Materials maker Dow Inc. is wrapping up 2024 by making some changes to its management ranks.

The most significant move for Midland, Mich.-based Dow is the appointment of Karen Carter as the firm's chief operating officer, which is a new position at Dow. Carter has been with Dow since 1994 and most recently served as president of its Packaging & Specialty Plastics unit, which includes a major market share in polyethylene resin.

As COO, Carter will be responsible for "driving business and operational performance across the organization," officials said in a news release. She'll also be responsible for "accelerating the commercialization of Dow's innovation pipeline and enhancing the company's reliability and service to customers," they added.

Carter will have strategic oversight of Dow's business operating segments, as well as its supply chain, purchasing, information systems and commercial organizations. She'll continue to report to Dow Chair and CEO Jim Fitterling and will join the firm's executive committee.

In the release, Fitterling said Carter "is a proven leader with more than three decades of experience at Dow delivering strong business results." He added that she "has an excellent track record of operating discipline, maintaining close relationships with key partners and customers and driving innovation."

Fitterling also said Carter "has successfully led our largest business and played critical leadership roles in other essential business and functional teams."

Carter's 30-year Dow career has included roles in business operations, sales and marketing and human resources. Her career also has featured global business leadership positions in Dow's building and construction, polyethylene, engineering thermoplastics, fabricated products and consumer electronics businesses.

Under Carter, Dow's P&SP unit "has expanded cost-efficient capacity through asset upgrades, production expansions and improved reliability," officials said. That unit has annual sales of more than $23 billion.

Carter previously served as Dow's chief human resources officer and chief inclusion officer. Officials said she "successfully institutionalized a culture where all employees can grow and thrive…fully contributing to Dow's business strategy and long-term value growth."

Carter is on the board of directors for wire and cable maker Southwire and also is a board member for the Great Lakes Bay Region Boys and Girls Clubs of America. She also serves as the chair of the Business Leaders Committee on the State of Michigan's Black Leadership Advisory Council.

In other moves at Dow, Keith Cleason will follow Carter as president of the P&SP unit. In his new role, Cleason also will assume executive oversight for Latin America. Cleason joined Dow in 2001 and has held several significant positions including senior global asset director for PE and global business director for both Low Density PE and High Density PE.

In his new role, officials said Cleason will be responsible for the continuing growth of P&SP in accord with Dow's sustainability goals and targets. Most recently, Cleason was business vice president for olefins, aromatics and alternatives and for Univation Technologies, Dow's licensing and catalysts operation.

At Dow's industrial intermediates and infrastructure unit, Jane Palmieri will retire March 31 after more than 30 years with the firm. She'll be followed in that role by Marco ten Bruggencate, who's been with Dow since 2000.

Officials said Palmieri "has significantly contributed to [Dow's] success and growth during her tenure." Most recently, Palmieri has led an industry-leading portfolio with annual sales exceeding $16 billion, including polyurethanes, chlor-alkali and vinyl, and construction chemicals.

Fitterling said Palmieri's "visionary leadership and unwavering commitment have left an indelible mark on our organization" and that her "ability to drive innovation, understand and translate customer needs and foster growth has been instrumental in Dow's business success."

In his new role, ten Bruggencate will have executive oversight for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India (EMEAI). He most recently served as president of Dow EMEAI and previously was commercial vice president for Packaging and Specialty Plastics for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Dow is a major supplier of PE and specialty plastics. The firm posted sales of almost $45 billion in 2023.