Chevron Phillips Chemical, the petrochemical company jointly owned by oil companies Chevron and Phillips 66, has named Steve Prusak as its new president and CEO effective March 1, according to a Thursday press release. He has been with the company since shortly after it was founded in 2000.
Prusak will replace current President and CEO Bruce Chinn, who is retiring after a career in the energy industry spanning more than 40 years.
“It’s been a privilege to lead this great company through a time of transition as we advance a portfolio of strategic projects to grow our global asset base, progress a circular economy for plastics and work to lower the carbon intensity of our operations,” Chinn said in the release.
Prusak, a 30-plus-year veteran of the chemical industry, currently serves as the company’s senior vice president of corporate planning and technology. In that role, he oversees CPChem’s strategy function and research and technology department and was responsible for organizing construction of major projects on the U.S. Gulf Coast and in Qatar. During his more than two decades with the company, he held a variety of roles, starting as a product specialist, according to his LinkedIn bio. Before joining CPChem, he worked as an engineer for chemical company LyondellBasell.
“With projects like Ras Laffan Petrochemicals in Qatar and Golden Triangle Polymers in Texas underway, Steve’s extensive background in project execution and his commitment to operational excellence position him well to continue CPChem’s growth and to deliver strategic value,” said Mitra Kashanchi, president of Chevron Chemicals and CPChem board member.
Along with promoting Prusak, the company also made several other executive moves, also effective March 1.
Justine Smith, currently senior vice president of petrochemicals, will be promoted to executive vice president for commercial — a role that includes responsibility for the polymers and specialties businesses. Mitch Eichelberger, currently executive vice president of polymers and specialties, is retiring from the company after more than 40 years.
Bryan Canfield will be promoted from senior vice president of manufacturing to executive vice president, manufacturing and projects. Canfield joined CPChem in 2019 from energy firm TotalEnergies.
Finally, Kevin Ristroph will be promoted from vice president of specialties to senior vice president of corporate planning and technology. Ristroph has been with CPChem since the joint venture began.
