Albemarle Announces Changes to Manufacturing, Law Leadership

Luke Kissam Named Senior Vice President, Manufacturing and Law

BATON ROUGE, La., March 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Leading specialty
chemicals maker Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: ALB) recently announced
organizational changes to the company's manufacturing leadership team to help
build upon the company's outstanding operational and financial performance
over the last several years.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080331/NEMV131 )
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050801/ALBEMARLELOGO )
Luther C. "Luke" Kissam, IV has been named senior vice president,
manufacturing and law, and corporate secretary. Previously senior vice
president, general counsel and secretary, Kissam will lead Albemarle's
manufacturing and law functions worldwide.
Albemarle's President and Chief Executive Officer Mark C. Rohr said, "Luke
will bring a fresh, critical eye and strong leadership to Albemarle's
manufacturing as we continue to offer innovative manufacturing solutions to
the problems faced by customers and society in general."
The company also announced the following changes in the manufacturing and
law functions:
Dr. Ronald C. Zumstein has been named vice president of manufacturing
operations, with global responsibility for all of Albemarle's manufacturing
facilities, including more than 20 company and joint venture plants in more
than 10 countries. "Ron's focus will be on operating fundamentals and
manufacturing discipline, as well as continuing our drive for incident-free
operations and reductions of costs, wastes, emissions and energy usage," said
Kissam. Zumstein previously served as Albemarle's vice president of health,
safety and environment, and vice president of manufacturing for the company's
polymer additives division.
Lloyd Crasto has been named vice president of manufacturing technology,
with global responsibility for deploying all of Albemarle's process
development and technology resources as efficiently and effectively as
possible to maximize strategic impact of the group. "Technology has always
been a key to Albemarle's success, and Lloyd is one of the strongest talents
we have in the company. He will drive functional excellence and
institutionalize Albemarle's technical knowledge and expertise," said Kissam.
Crasto previously served as vice president of manufacturing for Albemarle's
catalysts division.
Karl Meyer has been named vice president of strategic manufacturing. In
this new role, Meyer will lead all strategic projects and issues involving
manufacturing. "Karl will develop and help implement strategies to optimize
the use of our assets, and utilize 'lean manufacturing' initiatives to create
operational efficiencies," said Kissam. Meyer previously served as vice
president of manufacturing for Albemarle's fine chemicals division.
"With their extensive experience at the highest levels of manufacturing,
engineering, and HS&E, Ron, Lloyd and Karl will be able to work closely with
Luke to drive our operations in a way that allows us to grow our business
worldwide and support our mission as a socially and environmentally
responsible company," Rohr said.
Nicole C. Daniel has been named assistant general counsel. Daniel, who
will manage the global legal function, brings a diverse set of global
experiences in corporate governance, investor relations, and general
commercial matters to this role. Daniel previously served as Albemarle's
assistant corporate secretary, as director of investor relations and as head
of legal affairs for Albemarle's polymer additives segment and its Asia-
Pacific regional operations. She also recently completed an assignment in
Albemarle's Shanghai office.
"Since joining Albemarle in 2002, Nicole has continually demonstrated a
willingness to assume roles with increased responsibilities," Kissam said.
Zumstein, Crasto, Meyer and Daniel all will report to Kissam.
Albemarle Corporation, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, is a leading
global developer, manufacturer and marketer of highly engineered specialty
chemicals for consumer electronics; petroleum and petrochemical processing;
transportation and industrial products; pharmaceuticals; agricultural
products; and construction and packaging materials. The Company operates in
three business segments -- Polymer Additives, Catalysts and Fine Chemicals,
and serves customers in approximately 100 countries. Learn more about
Albemarle at http://www.albemarle.com.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding Albemarle Corporation's
business which are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that
involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and
uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained
in the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K.
SOURCE Albemarle Corporation

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Relations, Sandra Rodriguez, +1-225-388-7654, Sandra_Rodriguez@albemarle.com,
all of Albemarle Corporation