Eastman VP Tom Nethery Retires
KINGSPORT, Tenn. - Tom O. Nethery, senior vice president, at Eastman Chemical Company, will retire Feb. 1, 1999.
Eastman announced today that because Nethery, who is responsible for functional organizations, would not be replaced, there will be a realignment of reporting relationships and responsibilities among members of the company's Executive Team.
"Tom has made a number of significant contributions to Eastman but none has been more important than his role in Advantaged Cost 2000, the initiative to remove $500 million from our cost structure by the end of the year 2000," said Earnest W. Deavenport, Jr., chairman and CEO. "Through Tom's leadership, we have created a business improvement process that will meet our cost reduction goal and lead to continuing efficiency and productivity as we remove work from the system," he added.
Nethery, 60, was appointed to his present position in October 1994. He is a native of Monroe, La and earned a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering at Louisiana State University. During his 38-year career with Eastman, Nethery has served in a number of management positions. He was president of Texas Eastman Division before his appointment as senior vice president, manufacturing, in 1989. He has been a member of Eastman's executive team since the company was spun-off from Eastman Kodak Company in 1994.
Deavenport said the following reporting relationship changes are effective Feb. 1, 1999:
- Garland S. (Buddy) Williamson, vice president, Worldwide Manufacturing, will report to Deavenport.
- Roger K. Mowen, Jr., vice president, Customer Demand Chain, will report to R. Wiley Bourne, executive vice president and vice chairman.
- Darryl K. Williams, senior vice president, Technology and Quality, will chair Eastman's Operations Team.
- Harry L. Morris, Jr., vice president, Business Process Improvement, will report to Williams.
Eastman manufactures and markets chemicals, fibers and plastics. Eastman employs 16,100 people in more than 30 countries and had 1997 sales of $4.68 billion. Corporate headquarters is in Kingsport, TN.