ABS Materials Inc. announced that its board of directors has selected J. Gary McDaniel to lead the company as CEO.
McDaniel has an impressive track record as a serial CEO of startup and early-stage ventures with more than 30 years of decisive strategic, operational, marketing and financial leadership. He has proven expertise in leading companies through periods of rapid growth and global expansion, driving new market development and positioning companies to succeed and grow in competitive and changing business climates.
Under his leadership at Catacel Corp., the company became a major market player delivering more than 50 percent annual sales growth. As a result, Catacel was recently acquired by Johnson Matthey, a global player in catalysts and process technologies. As head of a division of Honeywell/UOP, McDaniel orchestrated the successful turnaround of the company’s petroleum refinery emissions control catalyst business, resulting in a 60 percent growth in sales and an 85 percent increase in profits. Earlier in his career, McDaniel excelled in various global management positions with leading advanced materials companies, including W.R. Grace & Company and Akzo Nobel.
“I am extremely excited about the future of ABS Materials," says McDaniel. "Over the years, the company has been developing some world-class technologies that are applicable in many large and growing markets. From our signature stormwater management solutions to water purification and remediation, our family of Osorb products is providing customers with significantly improved performance and compelling environmental benefits. With our technologies now proven in the field, the company is poised for dramatic growth. I am really looking forward to working closely with the ABS team to make this happen.”
Osorb products can remove thousands of volatile organic pollutants from water. Systems using Osorb today are treating water for industrial remediation, oil and gas produced water separations, and surface water systems needing to clean contaminants and nutrients. New potential markets include removing micropollutants from drinking water as well as specialty catalytic and extraction applications.
McDaniel earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering administration from the University of Delaware and an MBA from the Merrick School of Business at the University of Baltimore.
“Gary is a great fit for us, having proven his ability to rapidly grow successful businesses in the advanced materials space," says Dr. Kedar Gupta, chairman of hte ABS board of directors. "With his expertise, ABS will accelerate its rapid growth and Gary will take the company to the next level in its chosen water purification and specialty markets.”
McDaniel’s near term efforts will focus on developing and executing the company’s commercialization strategies, including establishing key strategic partnerships and developing its market entry and penetration initiatives.
“We at ABS are pleased to welcome Gary to our team," says Dr. Paul Edmiston, the inventor of Osorb, co-founder and CSO of ABS Materials. "He brings that ‘added dimension’ and go-to-market experience that we need to take our business to the next level.”
About ABS Materials, Inc.
ABS Materials, Inc. is dedicated to applying advances in 21st century materials science to the challenges created by 20th century industrial processes and chemistry. The company’s advanced water treatment systems use patented Osorb absorbent materials to remediate oils, solvents and other VOCs in water without negative environmental effect. ABS Materials is a privately held company headquartered in Wooster, Ohio, with projects underway in the U.S., Canada, Australia, India and Korea.
