PHILADELPHIA - Axalta Coating Systems announced that Samuel L. Smolik has joined the company’s Board of Directors. Smolik is Senior Vice President – Americas Manufacturing at LyondellBasell Industries, a plastics, chemical and refining company serving the packaging, electronics, automotive parts, home furnishing, construction materials and biofuels sectors.

“Sam’s broad management experience and his extensive operations expertise will make strong contributions to the board,” said Charlie Shaver, Axalta’s Chairman and CEO. “Sam’s wealth of expertise gained during his career working at some of the world’s leading chemical and oil and gas companies will provide valuable insights into how we can continue to accelerate continuous improvement in our global operations. His deep knowledge of environmental, health and safety systems will prove especially valuable as we continue to reinforce our health and safety protocols as well as our commitment to respect the environment and maintain the sustainability of our operations.”

Before assuming his current position at LyondellBasell Industries in 2015, Smolik was Vice President – Global Health, Safety, Environment and Operational Excellence at the company. From 2005 through 2009, he was Vice President – Global Downstream Health, Safety, Security and Environment at Royal Dutch Shell and before that held a similar position at Shell Chemical. Between 1975 and 2004 Smolik held a number of positions of increasing responsibility at The Dow Chemical Co,, including a role during its merger with Union Carbide, before attaining his final position as Vice President, Global Environment, Health, Safety and Security.