Aarti Soni
Senior Vice President, Cyber Director & Product Innovation Counsel
McGriff

A recognized industry innovator, Aarti Soni has more than 18 years working with and providing advice and counsel on insurance matters. She spent the past 3.5 years as a Senior Vice President and Cyber Coverage Leader for Marsh in NYC. Among her accomplishments with Marsh, Aarti was instrumental in drafting Marsh’s CAT Cyber products, which earned several awards including Insurance Insider’s recent award for the top brokerage innovation in Cyber and a broker team of the year award from Business Insurance.  Aarti has considerable experience working with the insurance markets, handling complex claims, and providing advice and counsel to clients. Prior to joining Marsh, Aarti was Assistant General Counsel with Chubb for almost three years providing legal guidance and support for 100+ Errors & Omissions and Cyber business unit underwriters, among her many responsibilities.  She also was a Claims Director with Chubb for over 2 years handling complex E&O claims and other responsibilities.

Join Aarti for a Power Hour webinar, “Cyber Risk Mitigation in the Chemical Sector” on October 1 at 2:00pm.

Alessandra Mediago
Senior Manager of Drawback Operations
Charter Brokerage LLC

Alessandra is a licensed customs broker and educator with over 15 years of experience at Charter Brokerage LLC, a leading global trade services company providing customs, import, export, drawback and related services. During her tenure at Charter Brokerage, she has worked and managed within each of Charter’s departments and has developed a comprehensive understanding of the laws, rules and regulations that govern the import and export clearance of merchandise, with particular expertise in chemical products.

Alessandra is dedicated to outreach and education on the subjects of customs importing processes, procedures, and specialty programs, namely drawback. She works closely with corporate clients and industry groups, as well as with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, to identify solutions and develop legislation. Alessandra is an expert in the practical application of compliance law and risk avoidance. In addition to partnering with the clients of Charter Brokerage, Alessandra also teaches Customs related courses at Baruch College in New York City.

Outside of all of this, Alessandra spends her time coaching softball and finding time to catch up on whatever new shows are streaming on Netflix.

Join Alessandra for her Power Hour session, “Duty Drawback and the 301 Exclusion Process” on November 19 at 2:00pm.

Brian Burns
Director of Responsible Care
WTS, Inc

Brian Burns has more than 40 year’s of experience in by-product management business and has been a part of WTS, Inc for 23 years in a variety of roles.

Currently serving as Director of Responsible Care, WTS has been named Responsible Care Partner of the Year by the American Chemistry Council, a record setting six times in 12 years. In 2017, Brian was honored as the Responsible Care Partner Employee of the Year.

Register for Brian’s Power Hour Webinar ” Recent Developments in the world of RCRA” on September 24 at 2:00pm. 

Chris Lukach
President
AKCG – Public Relations Counselors

AKCG is a national public relations consultancy with deep experience in crisis and issue preparedness. As president, Chris heads the AKCG issues and crisis communications practice.

He has been instrumental in developing issues and crisis communications plans and consulting with the firm’s clients on sensitive and pivotal matters. A frequent lecturer and author on a range of topics, Chris also leads the firm’s spokesperson training and social media teams.

Chris is a magna cum laude graduate of Rowan University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications with a specialization in public relations. In 2018, he was named the university’s “Distinguished Alumnus.”  He earned his Master of Legal Studies from Drexel University.

Register for Chris’s Power Hour Executive Roundtable “Framing Messaging and Communications to Customers During Crisis” on October 6 at 2:00pm. 

Cynthia Peterson
Chief Executive Officer
Howard Industries, Inc

Since 2015, Cindy Peterson has served as the CEO for Howard Industries, Inc based in Columbus, OH. A skilled negotiator and business development professional, Cindy received her Juris Doctor (J.D.) from State University of New York at Buffalo, College of Law. Prior to her role as CEO, Cindy worked as General Counsel and Advisor to companies in the financial sector.

Register for Cindy’s Power Hour Executive Roundtable ” The Horizon for Chemical Business Operations” on September 10 at 2:00pm. 

Craig Thomson
Head of New Business
The National Chemical Emergency Centre (NCEC)

Craig has spent the last four years working with organisations across the world, at every stage of maturity, implement the appropriate emergency response arrangements for their business requirements. He manages a business development team that puts the customer first; ensuring that we understand their business aims and strategies, risk profile and customer base, before making recommendations appropriate to the business.

Register for Craig’s Power Hour webinar,  “Emergency Response in the Chemical Supply Chain” on September 17 at 2:00pm. 

Eric Quiat
Project Manager
POWER Engineers, Inc.

Mr. Eric Quiat is an experienced air quality engineer with 15 years of expertise in air quality permitting, regulatory compliance support and auditing with focused experience at chemical, electric utility, oil and gas, and manufacturing facilities. His permitting experience includes developing NSR and Title V operating permits for capital projects at greenfield sites as well as major expansion projects at existing sites, many of which were subject to Federal PSD and/or NNSR permitting requirements. These projects have included chemical plant expansions, petroleum storage terminals, a condensate splitter, new gas turbines: for both utility and chemical sources, ethanol plants, and midstream oil and gas processing plants.

During his career as an environmental consultant, Mr. Quiat has engaged clients as the technical point-of-contact, providing answers and logical solutions to practical problems that have resulted from implementation of capital projects, plant decommissioning, regulatory corrective actions, audits, disclosures of noncompliance, new regulations, and regulatory agency initiatives.

Join Eric and Tiffany Dillow for their Power Hour webinar,  “EPA MON and Ethylene MACT Changes: Planning for Compliance” on November 5 at 2:00pm ET. 

Jason Tutrone
Associate
Thompson Hine LLP

Jason is an associate in the firm’s Transportation group. He advises multinational corporations, trade associations, and transportation intermediaries on domestic and international matters involving logistics services and transportation. These matters include: regulatory compliance; regulatory enforcement; agency rulemaking; legislative concerns; service issues; loss and damage claims; transportation security; contract drafting and negotiation; and rate disputes before the Surface Transportation Board (STB).

Jason’s practice is multimodal, involving air, motor, ocean and rail transportation, and encompasses a wide variety of logistics services, such as warehousing and terminal services. In addition, his practice involves the regulation of transportation and transportation-related activity by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Census Bureau, Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Maritime Commission, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Federal Railroad Administration, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, and STB.

Join Jason for a Power Hour webinar,  “Pandemics to Spills: Logistics Risks for Chemical Shippers and How to Address Them” on November 12 at 2:00pm ET. 

Jeffrey Hafer
Senior Regulatory Scientist
knoell USA, LLC

Jeff holds a M.S in Organic Chemistry from St. Joseph’s University.  He held a variety of positions in Rohm and Haas and Dow Chemical including process technology chemist, analytical research associate, global regulatory specialist, and global product stewardship manager for the Coatings Division.  In 2013 he accepted the position of corporate TSCA manager for Dow Chemical. After retiring from Dow in 2016 he joined knoell USA, LLC as a Senior Regulatory Scientist.

Jeff served as chair of the American Chemistry Council’s Regulatory Advocacy and Information Network, American Coatings Association’s Product Stewardship Committee, and the Emulsion Polymers Council.

Join Jeff for his Power Hour session, “Revised Toxic Substance Control Act at Year 4: Taking the Pulse” on October 8 at 2:00pm ET.

Barry Herman
Partner
Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLC

Barry is a Chambers ranked IP litigator who tries cases in district courts throughout the country, at the USPTO, and at the ITC. A chemical engineer by training, Barry litigates patent disputes in the chemical, mechanical, and electrical arts, and has significant experience with trade secret, trademark, and antitrust litigation. In addition, Barry has successfully argued appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Outside of the courtroom, Barry assists clients with due diligence, opinions, and patent portfolio development.

Barry serves on Womble’s Firm Management Committee, is the Office Managing Partner of the Baltimore, MD office, and is the leader of the Firm’s U.S. Chemicals Subsector (Manufacturing).

Real-world industry experience distinguishes Barry’s practice. Before becoming an attorney, he worked for several years as a chemical engineer, first in a hydrosulfuric acid manufacturing plant, and then in various oil refineries on the East Coast, where he specialized in anti-foulant and anti-corrosion chemical technologies. Before joining the firm, Barry was a partner at Oblon McClelland Maier & Neustadt, a large intellectual property boutique in Alexandria, Virginia, where he was co-chair of the patent litigation and ITC practice groups.

Join Barry for his Power Hour session, “Strategies for Uncertain Times: Management and Legal Perspectives for the Specialty Chemicals Industry” on October 20 at 2:00pm ET.

Peter Snaith
Partner
Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLC

Peter is a partner in our commercial team and head of our manufacturing sector group. He has 20 years’ experience of the sector. Before joining the firm, he worked as an in-house lawyer in the chemical sector for a number of ICI’s international specialty chemicals businesses. He was subsequently Global Legal Manager for ICI’s Acrylics business following its sale to Ineos. Since his return to private practice, he has maintained a focus on working with chemicals and chemistry-using companies and with manufacturing companies in general. Coupled with that, Peter has a wealth of experience in advising ports and also suppliers and customers of transport and logistics companies in relation to their infrastructure projects and operational activities.

With his previous industry experience and familiarity with industry norms Peter offers practical support and assistance in relation to all manner of commercial arrangements, including purchasing, manufacturing, sales, joint ventures and collaborative R&D and other ancillary activities.

Join Peter for his Power Hour session, “Strategies for Uncertain Times: Management and Legal Perspectives for the Specialty Chemicals Industry” on October 20 at 2:00pm ET.

Caitlin E. MacDowell
Of Counsel
Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLC

Caitlin counsels middle-market private and public companies and investors in a broad range of corporate and transactional matters, including corporate transactions and restructurings, securities offerings, debt and equity financings, corporate governance and general corporate matters. She has worked with clients in numerous industries, including life sciences, technology, financial services, manufacturing, and automotive services.

Caitlin represents both buyers and sellers in connection with domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate reorganizations and venture capital and private equity investments. She also serves as general outside counsel to her clients in day-to-day corporate matters, commercial transactions and technology licenses.

Join Caitlin for her Power Hour session, “Strategies for Uncertain Times: Management and Legal Perspectives for the Specialty Chemicals

Paul Treadgold
Associate Director of Corporate Policy
EMD Performance Materials

Paul currently serves as Associate Director of Corporate Policy for the U.S. businesses of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a $17.6 billion science and technology company with operations across the healthcare, life science, and performance materials industries. Paul has served in this role since January 2018 and is responsible for leading the development of the company’s public policy positions and external advocacy strategies, establishing relationships with critical internal and external stakeholders, and providing counsel on a range of public policy issues. He joined his current company in 2016 as Senior Manager of Global Policy and Strategy and before that spent over four years in various Business Development roles at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Prior to the Chamber, he worked for two years as a Research Assistant at McLarty Associates, a Washington, DC-based international strategic advisory firm that has served over 300 clients in 112 countries.

Paul earned his MBA from the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University, where he was a McDonough Scholar and a member of the honor society Beta Gamma Sigma, and his BA in Political Science from Yale University, where he graduated cum laude and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. While working on his MBA, he completed a consulting project for Turkish Airlines in Istanbul, Turkey and has also spent time living in China, Denmark, and Spain. Paul is fluent in Spanish and has a working knowledge of Mandarin Chinese and French.

Join Paul and Stephanie Frye for their Power Hour webinar “Scenario Planning for Sudden Changes in Trade Policy” on October 29 at 2:00pm ET.

Peter Linn, M.Ed
Managing Director
Marsh Risk Consulting

Peter is a member of Marsh Risk Consulting (MRC) leadership team actively contributing to defining and achieving strategies to building a proactive, collaborative culture addressing client needs across the entire risk spectrum. He drives MRC value through coordination with Marsh client executive and producer networks, industry leaders, risk practice leaders, and all external channels.

Prior to joining Marsh, Peter was a Chief Executive Officer at the AXA Group where he was responsible for all aspects and operating results of AXA MATRIX Americas (North America, Mexico, South America) for two years.

Join Peter for his Power Hour session, “COVID-19 Response, Recovery and Preparedness: Emergency Lessons for Resilience” on October 8 at 2:00pm ET.

Stephanie Frye
Director, Federal Corporate & Government Relations USA
EMD Performance Materials

Stephanie currently serves as the Director of Federal Corporate and Government Relations USA for the US businesses of Merck, KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany – EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma and EMD Performance Materials. There she represents two of the three business units, as well as several internal group functions, on Capitol Hill and within federal agencies. She also serves several major internal workstreams focusing on the company’s global sustainability strategy, global trade issues and employee engagement.

Stephanie has more than 13 years of experience in federal lobbying, policy and fundraising under her belt. Her PAC experience ranges from starting a PAC from scratch to $3 million in contributions including for the National Mining Association and CSX Corporation.

Stephanie is also extremely proud of the opportunities she receives throughout the year to speak at several schools and campaign programs that focus on educating and encouraging young women and others on how to run for political office. In her free time, Stephanie enjoys traveling, shark diving, attending as many concerts as her schedule allows and has a WSET Level 2 Wine certification.

Join Stephanie and Paul Treadgold for their Power Hour webinar “Scenario Planning for Sudden Changes in Trade Policy” on October 29 at 2:00pm ET.

Steven d’Incelli
Managing Director
SK Capital

Prior to joining SK Capital in 2015, Mr. d’Incelli was a Vice President at Sun Capital Partners where he played a significant role in sourcing and executing a variety of acquisitions including corporate carve-outs, entrepreneurial transitions, add-on acquisitions and Section 363 sales. He led a variety of portfolio activities including divestitures, asset sales, debt refinancings and recapitalizations, and had active board-level responsibilities for several of Sun Capital’s portfolio companies across the diversified industrials, healthcare and consumer retail sectors. Before joining Sun Capital, Mr. d’Incelli worked in the Global Leverage Finance group at Lehman Brothers.

Mr. d’Incelli currently serves on the Board of Directors of Noramco, Inc. and Tasmanian Alkaloids and Wavelength Pharmaceuticals. He previously served as a member of the Board of Directors of Perimeter Solutions.

Mr. d’Incelli earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with a minor in Psychology from Northwestern University.

Register for Steven’s Power Hour Executive Roundtable ” The Horizon for Chemical Business Operations” on September 10 at 2:00pm ET. 

Steve Stransky
Partner
Thompson Hine LLP

As a partner in the firm’s Business Litigation, Privacy & Cybersecurity, and Government Contracts groups, Steve primarily focuses on advising clients on complex national and international privacy and information security issues. He assists clients in devising strategies to assess and mitigate cybersecurity risks and with maintaining compliance with federal, state, and foreign laws and regulations governing data privacy and security. He provides guidance on regulatory compliance and defends clients’ interests in litigation and government enforcement actions in the areas of data privacy and cybersecurity. In addition, Steve assists defense contractors and other private-sector businesses in satisfying cybersecurity standards issued by the federal government and in developing and maintaining insider threat programs.

Prior to joining Thompson Hine, Steve spent a total of 10 years serving in the federal government, including seven years with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). While at DHS, he served as senior counsel in the Department’s Intelligence Law Division in Washington, D.C., where he oversaw the Department’s foreign intelligence, counterintelligence, and cybersecurity intelligence activities, including the production of cybersecurity threat assessments and data breach response recommendations for the private sector. Steve also provided guidance to DHS officials on designing and implementing programs and policies regulating the storage and safeguarding of classified and unclassified information and assisted DHS in designing and implementing an insider threat program in compliance with Executive Order 13587 and other national policies and standards.

Join Steve for a Power Hour webinar, “Cyber Risk Mitigation in the Chemical Sector” on October 1 at 2:00pm ET.

Tiffany Dillow
Senior Project Scientist
POWER Engineers, Inc.

Ms. Dillow is a Senior Project Scientist/Project Manager with POWER Engineers’ Environmental Division based in the Baltimore, MD office. She has been an environmental consultant for 30 years – conducting air permitting and compliance projects and performing specialized air toxics regulatory assessments to include MACT and NESHAPs for chemical manufacturing facilities nationwide.

Ms. Dillow has served on various SOCMA Environmental Subcommittees since 1993 including for review of the Hazardous Organic NESHAP (HON) and Miscellaneous Organic NESHAP (MON) proposed and final rulemakings. Additionally, Ms. Dillow participated in the American Chemistry Council (ACC)/SOCMA MON Workshop for Batch and Chemical Manufacturers that was held in New Orleans in 2003. Ms. Dillow also assisted ACC and SOCMA in preparing an Inspection Tool for compliance with the Chemical Manufacturing Area Source (CMAS) rulemaking in 2014. Furthermore, Ms. Dillow assisted in providing comments on the Petroleum Refinery MACT proposed rulemaking to ACC and SOCMA the extent it impacted petrochemical facilities regarding fenceline monitoring and upgraded flare standards. Ms. Dillow holds a B.S. in Geography & Environmental Planning from Towson University and is a National Registry of Environmental Professionals’ Registered Environmental Manager (REM).

Join Tiffany and Eric Quiat for their Power Hour webinar,  “EPA MON and Ethylene MACT Changes: Planning for Compliance” on November 5 at 2:00pm ET. 

Yair Holtzman, CPA
Practice Leader
Anchin Block & Anchin LLP

Yair Holtzman, CPA, is a partner at Anchin where he is Practice Leader of the firm’s Research & Development (R&D) Tax Credits Group, Life Sciences Industry Group and Chemicals and Energy Industry Group, as well as Co-Practice Leader of the Tax Credits & Incentives Group. He has more than 20 years of experience with national public accounting and management consulting firms focusing on federal tax consulting issues and assisting senior executives with strategy development and implementation. Yair’s clients range in size from startup to Fortune 500 companies.

As a result of his in-depth experience and expertise in the R&D area, Yair has helped clients obtain several hundred million dollars in tax credits and incentives. He has provided sophisticated tax consulting in the areas of Section 41 R&D tax credits planning, section 199 domestic production activities deductions, M&A acquisition cost analysis, and FAS 109 and FIN 48 analysis and compliance.

Join Yair’s Power Hour session,  “Intersection of Covid-19, R&D Tax Credits, PPP, and Chemical Company Innovation – What’s Next?” on November 16 at 2:00pm ET.