#United States #Northbrook #financial leadership #Stepan Company #Ruben Velasquez

Stepan Company Appoints New CFO: A Step Towards Future Growth

On July 14, 2025, Stepan Company (NYSE: SCL) announced the appointment of Ruben Velasquez as its new Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. This strategic move is seen as a positive shift in the company’s financial direction, as Velasquez steps into the role previously held by Samuel Hinrichsen. Hinrichsen will continue his responsibilities as Vice President of Finance, ensuring a seamless transition.

A Wealth of Experience

Ruben Velasquez brings a wealth of experience to Stepan, having served most recently as Vice President of Global Finance Transformation at 3M Company. His impressive career at 3M includes various senior finance roles, such as Vice President of Global Finance and CFO for Manufacturing & Supply Chain Operations and for Consumer Business. Velasquez's leadership experience extends internationally, having held positions as Finance Director and Country CFO in both Russia and Colombia during his tenure with 3M.

Before his time at 3M, he launched his finance career at Ecopetrol in Colombia, where he also held senior finance leadership roles, including Finance Director for Corporate Financial Planning & Analysis.

Velasquez holds an MBA from Northwestern University and a BS in Industrial Engineering from Universidad de Los Andes, qualifications that align well with his extensive experience in corporate finance.

Leadership Insight

Luis E. Rojo, President and CEO of Stepan, expressed his enthusiasm for Velasquez joining the team. He highlighted Velasquez’s two decades of global finance leadership experience across different sectors, noting that such a diverse background would greatly enhance Stepan's financial strategies and overall business growth.

“We are excited to add Ruben's leadership and financial expertise to the Stepan team. We also thank Sam for all of his contributions while serving as Interim Chief Financial Officer,” Rojo stated, underscoring the importance of this appointment in the context of Stepan’s future.

About Stepan Company

Stepan Company is a prominent manufacturer known for its production of specialty and intermediate chemicals that cater to various industries. With a leading position in merchant surfactant production, the company is integral to many consumer and industrial cleaning products, agricultural solutions, and oilfield technologies.

Additionally, Stepan is recognized for being a key supplier of polyurethane polyols, essential in the growing thermal insulation market, as well as in coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers (CASE) industries.

Headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois, Stepan operates a network of advanced production facilities across North and South America, Europe, and Asia. The company's stock is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol SCL.

For those interested in understanding more about Stepan Company's diverse offerings and strategic direction, further details can be found on their official website: www.stepan.com.

Conclusion

With the appointment of Ruben Velasquez as CFO, Stepan Company is set to strengthen its financial leadership and positioning in the competitive landscape of specialty chemicals. His extensive background is anticipated to bring innovative strategies and operational efficiency that will be pivotal in driving the company forward.