Koppers Holds Farewell for Two Leaders Promoting Sustainability and Safety
Koppers Holdings Inc., an integrated global supplier of treated wood products, has announced the retirement of two significant leaders who played crucial roles in promoting sustainability and a safety-first culture within the company. Leslie Hyde, Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, will step down from her position effective March 31, 2025, while Joseph Dowd, Global Vice President Zero Harm, will retire on February 28, 2025. To facilitate a smooth transition, both executives will immediately take on the role of Assistant to the CEO until their respective retirement dates.
Leslie Hyde has been with Koppers for 25 years, where she has significantly influenced various areas, including legal, environmental management, risk assessment, and safety practices. Under her guidance, Koppers developed comprehensive environmental programs and a global enterprise risk management framework. Notably, Hyde spearheaded the establishment of compliance systems that led to Koppers achieving certifications for the ISO 14001 standard and the Responsible Care Management System©. In 2020, she was appointed the company's first-ever Chief Sustainability Officer, where she utilized her extensive experience to foster a robust sustainability initiative and reporting mechanism that positioned Koppers as a recognized leader in sustainability practice within the industry.
On the other hand, Joseph Dowd's journey with Koppers began in 2012 as Vice President of North American Carbon Materials and Chemicals. His career progressed rapidly as he took on the role of Vice President of Global Safety, Health, Environmental, and Process Excellence in 2016, and became Global Vice President Zero Harm in 2020. Dowd's strong commitment to safety culminated in his introduction of the Zero Harm initiative, which has become a fundamental principle at Koppers. This initiative not only fostered a culture of safety but also included the establishment of a Zero Harm Leadership Forum aimed at instilling safety principles. Additionally, he initiated in-person training workshops for employees across all operating locations, enforced Life Saving Rules, and implemented a modern technology platform for tracking health, safety, and environmental metrics. His leadership has contributed to remarkable achievements in safety, including Koppers' best-ever performance in the year 2024.
Koppers' CEO, Leroy Ball, expressed deep gratitude for the contributions of Hyde and Dowd, stating, ‘Leslie and Joe represent the compassionate leadership we strive for at Koppers. Both leaders will be greatly missed. They have inspired their colleagues to stretch their capabilities and dedicated their skills to positively impact the community, setting exemplary standards for leadership at Koppers. Their legacies in embedding sustainability and Zero Harm into our company culture will resonate with stakeholders for years to come.’
Koppers, with its dedication to sustainability and safety, remains steadfast in its mission to provide high-quality, innovative solutions while ensuring safe practices and preserving the environment. The company's 2,200 employees actively contribute to essential aspects of global infrastructure by producing railroad ties, utility poles, and other critical materials while continuously striving to meet the needs of tomorrow.
As Koppers prepares for these transitions, it reflects on the solid foundations laid by these two leaders and looks forward to fostering their legacies as it continues to innovate and lead in the treated wood products sector. The impact of their work is expected to endure, ensuring that both the culture of safety and sustainability continues long into the future.
Leslie Hyde has been with Koppers for 25 years, where she has significantly influenced various areas, including legal, environmental management, risk assessment, and safety practices. Under her guidance, Koppers developed comprehensive environmental programs and a global enterprise risk management framework. Notably, Hyde spearheaded the establishment of compliance systems that led to Koppers achieving certifications for the ISO 14001 standard and the Responsible Care Management System©. In 2020, she was appointed the company's first-ever Chief Sustainability Officer, where she utilized her extensive experience to foster a robust sustainability initiative and reporting mechanism that positioned Koppers as a recognized leader in sustainability practice within the industry.
On the other hand, Joseph Dowd's journey with Koppers began in 2012 as Vice President of North American Carbon Materials and Chemicals. His career progressed rapidly as he took on the role of Vice President of Global Safety, Health, Environmental, and Process Excellence in 2016, and became Global Vice President Zero Harm in 2020. Dowd's strong commitment to safety culminated in his introduction of the Zero Harm initiative, which has become a fundamental principle at Koppers. This initiative not only fostered a culture of safety but also included the establishment of a Zero Harm Leadership Forum aimed at instilling safety principles. Additionally, he initiated in-person training workshops for employees across all operating locations, enforced Life Saving Rules, and implemented a modern technology platform for tracking health, safety, and environmental metrics. His leadership has contributed to remarkable achievements in safety, including Koppers' best-ever performance in the year 2024.
Koppers' CEO, Leroy Ball, expressed deep gratitude for the contributions of Hyde and Dowd, stating, ‘Leslie and Joe represent the compassionate leadership we strive for at Koppers. Both leaders will be greatly missed. They have inspired their colleagues to stretch their capabilities and dedicated their skills to positively impact the community, setting exemplary standards for leadership at Koppers. Their legacies in embedding sustainability and Zero Harm into our company culture will resonate with stakeholders for years to come.’
Koppers, with its dedication to sustainability and safety, remains steadfast in its mission to provide high-quality, innovative solutions while ensuring safe practices and preserving the environment. The company's 2,200 employees actively contribute to essential aspects of global infrastructure by producing railroad ties, utility poles, and other critical materials while continuously striving to meet the needs of tomorrow.
As Koppers prepares for these transitions, it reflects on the solid foundations laid by these two leaders and looks forward to fostering their legacies as it continues to innovate and lead in the treated wood products sector. The impact of their work is expected to endure, ensuring that both the culture of safety and sustainability continues long into the future.
Topics General Business）
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