Chevron Phillips Chemical Names New President / CEO

Chevron Phillips Chemical has announced that Senior Vice President Steve Prusak will succeed current President and CEO Bruce Chinn effective March 1, 2024. Chinn is retiring after more than 40 years in the energy industry.

Prusak, a 30-plus year veteran of the chemical industry, brings deep knowledge of CPChem’s core business and robust growth experience to the role. 

In his current position, he oversees the company’s strategy function and research and technology department. He also holds responsibility for the projects organization, currently constructing two world-scale facilities on the U.S. Gulf Coast and in Qatar.

Previously, he led CPChem’s business transformation efforts focused on unlocking value through innovation and continuous improvement of business processes and operations. Since joining CPChem soon after its inception in 2000, he has held various roles in commercial, business development, finance and projects. 

Prusak holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Delaware and an MBA from the University of Houston.

Other management changes effective March 1 include:

Mitch Eichelberger, currently executive vice president, polymers and specialties, will retire from the company after more than 40 years of service to CPChem and Chevron.

Justine Smith, currently senior vice president, petrochemicals, will become executive vice president, commercial, assuming additional responsibility for the polymers and specialties businesses. Smith joined CPChem in 2020 and previously held commercial, strategy and operations leadership positions in the United States and Asia at BASF Corporation. 

Bryan Canfield, currently senior vice president, manufacturing, will take on additional responsibility for projects organization and will become executive vice president, manufacturing and projects. Canfield joined CPChem in 2019 and previously held leadership roles in engineering and operations at TotalEnergies.
Kevin Ristroph, currently vice president, specialties, will become senior vice president, corporate planning and technology, overseeing the company’s strategy and research and technology functions. Ristroph joined CPChem at the inception of the joint venture and has held roles of increasing responsibility in operations, business development and commercial in the US, Asia and the Middle East.