Male executive members of ERCO Worldwide wearing a gray suit with a white shirt and dark red tie. He has gray hair, a mustache, and is wearing glasses.

Ed Bechberger, President & CEO

Mr. Bechberger assumed the role of President and CEO in April 2021 after serving as President since January 2015. He joined ERCO in 1980 and has held various executive positions, including Senior Vice President Operations, Vice President and General Manager Chlor-alkali business, Vice President Business Development, Vice President and General Manager Global Pulp and Paper, and numerous managerial and technical roles. Mr. Bechberger has commissioned more than 30 chemical plants around the world and is an inventor holding several patents. He has presented several papers at pulp and paper industry conferences around the world. Mr. Bechberger was appointed Chair of the Board of Directors of the Chemical Industry Association of Canada (CIAC) for the 2019-2020 term. He has a Bachelor of Technology degree in Chemical Engineering.

Headshot of male ERCO executive member with gray hair, smiling, wearing a gray suit, white button down, and a patterned red tie

Rich McLellan, Chief Financial Officer

Mr. McLellan joined ERCO Worldwide in April 2016 as Vice-President Finance. He is responsible for all finance-related activities including financial accounting and reporting, treasury, taxation, forecasting and business planning, credit risk management, accounts payable, pension investment oversight, enterprise risk management and cost management. He is also responsible for the company’s information and communications technology. Prior to joining ERCO, Mr. McLellan was the Senior Vice President Finance and CFO of Canexus Corporation and its predecessor, Nexen Chemicals. He has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Saskatchewan and is a Chartered Professional Accountant and Chartered Accountant.

Headshot of a male ERCO executive member wearing a black suit, light blue button down and purple tie with a blue background

John Engelen, Vice President Mergers and Acquisitions

Mr. Engelen joined ERCO Worldwide in July 1993 and has held progressively more senior positions, including Vice President and General Manager Chlor-alkali business, Vice President and General Manager Sodium Chlorate business, Vice President Business Development and Strategy, and Vice President Finance. In July 2015, he transferred to ERCO’s previous owner, Superior Plus, as Vice President of Mergers and Acquisitions. In August 2019, Mr. Engelen returned to ERCO as Vice President of Mergers & Acquisitions and is currently Vice-President,Corporate Development focusing on the growth of ERCO and is responsible for Procurement and Transportation. Mr. Engelen holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from McMaster University and is a Chartered Professional Accountant.

Male executive of ERCO Worldwide smiling and wearing a navy blue suit with a light blue button down

Tom Barrett, Vice President Sales and Marketing

Mr. Barrett joined ERCO Worldwide in June 2016 as Vice President Sales and Marketing. His responsibilities include sales, marketing, technical services, customer service, advanced technologies, and the International Dioxcide business. Before joining ERCO, Mr. Barrett worked at DuPont and held several leadership positions with increasing responsibilities in the Nutrition & Health, Protection Technologies, and Titanium Technologies businesses. He is a founding member of the DuPont corporate Sales & Marketing Center of Excellence. Mr. Barrett is a member of ERCO’s U.S. Board of Directors. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Villanova University.

Male executive member of ERCO Worldwide with short hair wearing glasses, a gray suit, white shirt, and red tie.

John Christie, Vice President Operations

Mr. Christie joined ERCO Worldwide in 1981 and has held various executive positions, including Vice President and General Manager of the Sodium Chlorate business, Vice President Supply Chain and International Sales Director. As Vice President Operations, Mr. Christie is responsible for all of ERCO’s Chemical Manufacturing, Engineering and Research & Development departments. He is a Registered Professional Engineer and the current Chair of The Chlorine Institute. Mr. Christie is a graduate of the University of Waterloo, University of Guelph, and Lakehead University and received a Master of Engineering degree from the University of Waterloo.

Headshot of a male ERCO executive wearing a blue suit and blue button down shirt

Chris Cowan, Vice President Human Resources

Mr. Cowan joined ERCO Worldwide in August 2016 as Vice President Human Resources. Prior to joining ERCO, Mr. Cowan worked for Lafarge/Holcim as Vice President Human Resources and previous to that he held various roles in general management and manufacturing with Stork NV and Kruger, as well as a variety of human resources roles with CIBC, Canadian Tire and Manulife Financial. Mr. Cowan holds a Master of Science degree from the University of Leicester (UK), and an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree from Carleton University (Ottawa).

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