CINCINNATI – ChemQuest recently announced three new appointments within the company’s leadership and the retirement of a Vice President. The company appointed James E. (Jim) Swope as The ChemQuest Group’s Chief Commercial Officer, Sapna Blackburn as an additional ChemQuest Vice President, and Lauren Tetterton as Communications Director of ChemQuest and The ChemQuest Technology Institute. The appointments became effective July 1, 2021. In addition to these appointments, ChemQuest announced the retirement of Aggie Lotz, ChemQuest Vice President.

Lotz’s professional experience spans over 25 years as a leader in trade associations in the protective coatings and adhesives industries. During her career, she served as a Project Manager, Trade Association Liaison, and Editor-in-Chief of multiple published company reports, presentations, articles and social media posts for ChemQuest.

“It has been my pleasure to work directly with Aggie for all of these years. She has been the consummate professional and always put 150% into each and every assignment. We are indebted to her vision and commitment for propelling us to our present position in the industry. Her work has assured our success into the future,” said ChemQuest CEO Dan Murad.

Swope has provided leadership to all aspects of The ChemQuest Group in his role as Senior Vice President since 2013. Prior to ChemQuest, his experience includes expertise in Lean Sales and Marketing execution and “Blue Ocean” strategy.  During his previous 35-year career in successful B2B experience in adhesives, sealants, coatings, and automotive, he held various leadership positions, including Sr. VP, Business Development, Dymax Corp. Swope brings a unique financial view to his work born from undergraduate training in accounting as well as 19 years of ownership/management in Crosslink Technologies Inc., a niche supplier of reactive adhesive systems for assembly.  

Murad commented, “Jim always provides action centered, transformational leadership and continues to deliver valued expertise to our team and clients. He works closely with our team in South Boston, VA at the ChemQuest Technology Institute and is a true champion for innovation and expansion of our brand.”

Blackburn joined ChemQuest in July of 2020. In her new role, her responsibilities will include project management in addition to intellectual property services. She has been instrumental over the past year in a number of strategic assessment projects covering IP and commercial landscape analyses, market and value proposition analyses, strategic business assessment, and M&A guidance. Blackburn is a 20+ year veteran in materials development and intellectual property generation and protection for a wide range of industries including optical, automotive, aerospace and transportation, consumer electronics and telecom, and safety. Prior to joining ChemQuest, she served as V.P. R&D and V.P. Technology at SDC Technologies Inc., Irvine, California, a division of Mitsui Chemicals.

Tetterton joined ChemQuest in January of 2017 and has been an invaluable team member assisting Doug Corrigan in making The ChemQuest Technology Institute (CQTI) successful. She will be engaged in the company’s marketing communication strategy development and will serve as the new direct media contact in addition to her current administrative responsibilities at CQTI.

Learn more about ChemQuest at www.chemquest.com.