GLW Corning Inc

Gary Anderson Retires after 37 Years at Dow Corning Corporation MIDLAND, Mich., July 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- On July 1, 2004, Gary E. Anderson, Chairman, Dow Corning Corporation, will retire from active service to the company he helped guide into the 21st century, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and integrity that leaves its mark throughout the specialty chemical industry. "It's a true measure of Gary's leadership that he navigated the resolution of a difficult Chapter 11 process while reinventing the company. This was accomplished in an era that witnessed the most radical restructuring of the manufacturing sector in the last 50 years. His drive for business results, strong customer relationships and technology innovation have been pillars for Dow Corning that will remain with us forever," said Stephanie Burns, Dow Corning President and CEO. Anderson's impact on the use of silicones in the personal care industry is one of the hallmarks of his long career. "Gary deserves a lot of credit for having the foresight to work with customers to develop silicone molecules for personal care products," said Elias Hebeka, former President of Worldwide Operations and Technical Affairs for Revlon. According to Hebeka, Revlon was the first cosmetics company to use silicone in cosmetics formulas over 30 years ago. "Because of Gary's leadership and thinking out of the box, we developed many successful formulas together," Hebeka said. For Anderson, the changes in the chemical industry over his career are nothing less than staggering. "Advances in information technology have launched a business revolution unlike anything since the dawn of the industrial revolution," he commented at Chemical Engineering's Chem Show last year in New York City. "The Internet has accelerated globalization, increased competition, intensified commoditization and put pressure on prices." Yet Anderson remains optimistic about the future. "We must continually seek additional ways to help our customers solve problems and seize the opportunities inherent in helping them succeed." "These are more than just words to Gary," said Stephanie Burns. "They are the foundation of the revitalization that Gary and his team accomplished over the last several years. Gary engineered a difficult turn around for Dow Corning." Rick Theiler, Senior Vice President of Research and Development for Dial Corporation agrees. "He has done a masterful job of continuing to grow their business in a challenging global environment. "He was an inspiration to everyone at Dow Corning, and was eager to drive new product innovation in partnership with customers," Theiler continued. "He spearheaded the practice of teaming up Dow Corning scientists with customers' scientists in the early stages of product development. Many joint patents and product successes came out of these collaborations." In an era when corporate leaders are often controversial, Anderson stands out as exemplary. "Gary has all of the characteristics of a great leader. He is honest, ethical -- a true man of his word, always there to listen," said Elias Hebeka. "Even when he was leading Dow Corning out of bankruptcy, he always had time for his customers." Anderson joined Dow Corning in 1967 and spent the early years of his career in manufacturing roles, moving into economic evaluation and business management positions in the mid-1970s. In 1979, he became director of Manufacturing and Engineering for Europe. From 1983 to 1984, he took a leave of absence from Dow Corning to serve as Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Basic Industries for the U.S. Department of Commerce. After he returned to Dow Corning, he held management and director positions, becoming a corporate director in 1992, president in 1994 and CEO in 1999. He was elected chairman in 2001. He will continue as non-executive chairman of the board on a part-time basis. "Gary has been a real mentor and role model to me," said Stephanie Burns. "I am fortunate to have worked under his leadership." Anderson served as a member of the Board of Directors of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) and the Board's Finance and Research Committees, and remains a Director of the Chemical Industry Institute of Toxicology. Anderson earned his bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Michigan Technological University (MTU) in 1967. He received a master's of business administration in finance from Central Michigan University in 1973. In May 2003, Anderson was awarded an honorary doctor of engineering degree from Michigan Tech in recognition of his career accomplishments and service to MTU, where he is a member of the President's Advisory Board and has been a member of the Board of Trustees of their development fund since 1991. Anderson, who is an avid outdoorsman and sportsman, plans to travel with his wife, Judy. They plan to enjoy many of the activities they have missed during his 37-year career. Dow Corning (http://www.dowcorning.com/ ) provides performance-enhancing solutions to serve the diverse needs of more than 25,000 customers worldwide. A global leader in silicon-based technology and innovation, offering more than 7,000 products and services. Dow Corning is equally owned by The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE:DOW) and Corning, Incorporated (NYSE:GLW). More than half of Dow Corning's annual sales are outside the United States. DATASOURCE: Dow Corning Corporation CONTACT: Amy Rosborough (U.S.), of Dow Corning Corporation, +1-989-496-8288 Web site: http://www.dowcorning.com/

Copyright