Stepan Company announced the appointment of Luis E. Rojo as president and chief executive officer, as well as a member of the board of directors, effective immediately.

After a 31-year career with Stepan, Scott R. Behrens is departing the company to pursue other opportunities. “We thank Scott for his leadership and his many contributions to the growth and diversification of Stepan over his career,” said F. Quinn Stepan, Jr., chairman of the board of Stepan. “Through roles in R&D, sales and marketing, and leadership, he helped diversify our market presence, deliver innovative sustainable technologies, and complete multiple acquisitions. We wish him well in his future endeavors.”

Mr. Rojo was most recently the company’s vice president and chief financial officer, having served in that role since April 2018. He previously held increasingly senior finance leadership roles over his 21-year career at Procter & Gamble Co. In addition to his financial expertise and strategic insight, Mr. Rojo’s experience includes driving commercial and operational results. His promotion to president and CEO underscores the company’s commitment to creating long-term strategic value for its shareholders.

“As CFO of Stepan, Luis developed a deep understanding of all aspects of our business. While he has a strong financial mindset, he also brings strategic thinking with a laser focus on capturing market and operational opportunities,” said Mr. Stepan. “Luis is a passionate leader who cares deeply about our customers, employees, and shareholders. Together with Stepan’s strong team, we are confident he will drive profit recovery and deliver value for our shareholders.”

“I am honored to assume the CEO role at Stepan Company and to work alongside our talented team,” said Mr. Rojo. “Together, we will pursue profitable growth based on customer-centric innovation and operational excellence. I am excited about our opportunities as a company and look forward to creating value for our shareholders.”

Stepan also announced that Samuel S. Hinrichsen, currently the company’s global director of finance, will serve as vice president and interim chief financial officer until a permanent replacement is named. The company intends to conduct a comprehensive search to identify a permanent CFO.