Scott Seydel studied chemistry at Georgia Tech and began his career as a weaver, loom mechanic, and quality control supervisor while at the University of North Texas. Intrigued by the growth of textile manufacturing in developing countries, Scott garnered agency representations from a dozen U.S. companies and formed Seydel International as a chemical and equipment exporter. Shortly thereafter, Scott and his growing team of professionals formed The Seydel Companies to license the use of chemical and equipment manufacturing technologies from U.S. companies as a basis for forming joint ventures, subsidiaries, and licensed partnerships in over two dozen countries. During the 1980s, recognizing potential problems with persistent and non-biodegradable chemicals, the Company shifted its raw material emphasis to renewables and focused on biodegradable and recyclable products and packaging applications.

The Seydel Companies expanded to the North American market through acquisitions from Toyo Soda (Japan), Reynolds Chemicals (SC) and Valley Proteins (NC), and expanded its R&D to include water and oil barrier coatings and lubricants for the paper, packaging, metal working, cosmetic, leather, and animal health and feed industries, and has since earned a plethora of patents for products in these application arenas.

Over the past four decades, Scott has devoted much of his career toward creating environmental awareness and stewardship. He is currently a Board Trustee of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation US and has chaired the Global Green board and a Board Director of Mikhail Gorbachev’s Green Cross (Geneva). He is chair emeritus of Elemental Impact and the GreenBlue Institute and a founder of its Sustainable Packaging Coalition. He is a former Board Member of the National Recycling Coalition and the Vice Chair of the Container Recycling Institute. Through his work with these organizations, Scott helped create The Coalition for Resource Recovery.

Scott has also served as Chairman of the Board for Georgia State University’s Robinson College, the metro Atlanta YMCA, the Georgia Hi-Tech Alliance, the Georgia World Congress Institute and the Atlanta Chamber’s International Committee during the 1996 Olympic Games. Scott is an active contributor of articles and technical reviews for the trade press, and a frequent guest speaker on environmental conservation and global sustainability at industry conferences, seminars, and universities. Scott and Pat Mitchell Seydel share six children and thirteen grandchildren who reside in Chicago, New York, and Atlanta and who they consider to be their greatest assets and participatory achievements.

Scott O. Seydel, Jr., “Scotto”, is President & CEO of The Seydel Companies. He began his career with The Seydel Companies in 1992 as a Laboratory Technician while attending the University of Georgia. After obtaining his Bachelor’s degree in International Business from UGA, Scotto returned to The Seydel Companies as a Financial Analyst before pursuing his master’s degree at the University of South Carolina’s top ranked international MBA program.

Upon completion of his master’s degree from USC in International Business & Finance, Scotto spent half a decade as a Senior Business Consultant for Arthur Andersen and PriceWaterhouse Coopers where he helped several Fortune 500 companies streamline their global operations by leveraging internet based technologies. He has also worked in Argentina for a global financial institution and served four years as Marketing Director for the American Cancer Society, the largest non-profit health organization in the world. Scotto is currently the fourth generation President of The Seydel Companies, succeeding his father, grandfather and great-grandfather in this role. He is fluent in Spanish, and enjoys travel, skiing, biking and spending time with his wife, Tess, and their three children.

Fred Wellons began his career in 1978 as a Process Manager and Engineer in the soy-processing division of Ralston Purina. In 1980, Fred left to join the Chemol Company, Inc., then a Division of Carolina By-Products, as an Assistant Plant Manager. He later became a Sales Representative before being promoted to General Manager in 1988. Twelve years later, Fred left Chemol to join Baker Commodities as its Director of QA/QC and Business Development, Governmental Affairs before working for Tellurian Biodiesel as Vice President, Operations. In early 2010, Fred was recruited back to Chemol to serve as its President.

Fred is a recognized thought leader in the use of bioproducts and biofuels, particularly through the utilization of recycled animal fats and vegetable oils, serving as Vice-Chairman and Secretary of the National Biodiesel Board, Secretary of the Industrial Specialty Chemicals Association and representing Chemol with the National Renderers Association and Fats Proteins Research Foundation. Additionally, Fred helped develop greenhouse gas emissions values for biofuels with the California Air Resources Board and the US Environmental Protection Agency. Fred holds a Bachelor of Science in Biological and Agricultural Engineering from North Carolina State University.

Graham Marsh, originally from Manchester, England, worked as an Accountant for FEB Construction Chemicals (Great Britain) and Corporate Controller for FEB Middle East (U.A.E.) before coming to Atlanta, Georgia in 1980 to establish the company’s first U.S. based manufacturing operations. In 1988, Graham joined The Seydel Companies as a Financial Controller. During his long tenure with Seydel, Graham’s responsibilities have included financial reporting for both domestic and international divisions, working with banks and outside auditors, and helping implement and maintain the company’s ISO 9001:2008 quality management system certification. Graham was named CFO in 2010 and joined the Board of Directors.

Dave Grillo joined Chemol as the Director of Business Development in 1998 to lead the diversification from textile products. By 2004, he had added the title and duties of Vice President & General Manager. In this role, Dave is responsible for oversight of the operation of Chemol including product development, manufacturing, sales, marketing, and purchasing. Prior to joining Chemol, Dave worked for Twin Rivers Technologies, Inolex Chemical, and Mallinckrodt, occupying various executive positions in sales & marketing, technology, and operations management. Dave holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from Lehigh University, an MBA from Lehigh University, and an MS in Chemical Engineering from Villanova University.

Dave is an active member of many professional organizations including the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, National Society of Professional Engineers, American Oil Chemists Society, Society of Cosmetic Chemists, and the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers, among others.

Nathan Evans began his career with The Seydel Companies in 1990, working part-time in manufacturing, quality control, and shipping & receiving before completing high school in 1992. While in college, Nathan continued working for The Seydel Companies as a Laboratory Technician. After graduating from Gainesville College with an associates in Engineering Technology, Nathan became a Technical Sales Representative and was later promoted to National Sales Manager. Nathan also holds a Bachelor’s in Business Management from North Georgia College & State University.

Isaiah began his career with The Seydel Companies in 2014 after graduating from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. His expertise includes textile sizing and finishing as well as paper and corrugated functional coatings and adhesives. He oversees all areas of R&D, including new product development, process improvement and technical support. He also manages quality control and chemical compliance for export customers. Prior to joining Seydel, Isaiah’s extensive laboratory experience included the development of a revolutionary procedure that reduced reaction temperatures from 1,000°C – 1,200°C to 180°C – 200°C in an autoclave.

Jon Kline began working for Chemol as a third shift Lab Technician in 1996. Throughout his career, Jon has assumed several roles within the organization including Quality Control Manager, Laboratory Manager, Maintenance Manager, Production Manager and currently serves as the Plant Manager. John is intimately familiar with Chemol’s manufacturing facilities and product lines. Jon holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Pittsburgh.

William Newlin began his career in 1983 as Quality Control Manager and later Plant Manager for Siler City Mills (now Chatham Industries), specializing in the manufacture of animal feeds and extruded pet foods. In 1988, William joined Chemol as a Production Coordinator and was later promoted to Production Manager, where he standardized operation and training procedures and oversaw raw materials acquisition. In 2001, William became Chemol’s Purchasing Manager and took on additional HR and Accounts Payable responsibilities. In 2008, he assumed the duties of the Environmental Manager working with Tier II, Form R, and other government reports. William received his BS in Agriculture Education in 1979 and Masters of Education from North Carolina State University in 1981.

Rita Crosswhite began her career with Seydel-Woolley (formerly the AZS Corporation) in 1982 as a customer service associate. After AZS was acquired by The Seydel Companies in 1987, Rita was promoted to Customer Service Manager. Rita and her team manage incoming orders, production scheduling, shipping, invoicing, and customer inquiries. With almost 30 years experience at Seydel, Rita is intimately familiar with our products and capabilities and can quickly identify the best possible formulations for customers. Rita also oversees many administrative functions at our corporate headquarters.

Karee Bullock began her career with The Seydel Companies in May 1998 as a receptionist and accounts payable clerk. In 2002, she was promoted to the Human Resource department where she currently manages benefit renewals, payroll processing, retirement benefits & claim issues. In addition to Human Resource management, she also supports Finance.