BATON ROUGE, LA - Albemarle Corp., a leader in the global specialty chemicals market, announced that John Steitz has been elected President and Chief Operating Officer of the company, effective March 1, 2012. In this role, Steitz will oversee all aspects of the company's operations, including global responsibility for manufacturing, supply chain, sales, and health, safety and environmental. 

An industry veteran with nearly 30 years of experience in business management and administration activities, Steitz joined Albemarle in July 2000 and has served in various roles of increasing responsibility during his tenure with the company. Most recently, Steitz served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. From October 2002 to April 2007, he served as Senior Vice President, Business Operations, and from July 2000 until October 2002, he was Vice President of the company's Fine Chemistry segment. Prior to joining Albemarle, Steitz served as Vice President and General Manager of Pharmaceutical Chemicals for Mallinckrodt Inc.