Our Leadership Team
Our Leadership Team
David Bacon
C.E.O.
B.S. Chemical Engineering
University of Arkansas: magna cum laude
David Bacon joined Halocarbon Products Corp. as CEO in 2015. David was the first Halocarbon CEO to be hired from outside the company. His vision is to build the New Halocarbon and position it as the strategic growth partner for innovation in fluorochemistry. David has over 15 years of experience leading businesses in General Manager roles where he consistently improved operations and profitability. Prior to Halocarbon, he served as President of the LSP Products Group (a division of NCH Corporation) and as General Manager of the AT Plastics (EVA) division at Celanese Corporation. Prior to his general management roles, David was a management consultant for McKinsey & Company. He began his professional career as a chemical engineer at Exxon Corporation.
David Bacon
C.E.O.
B.S. Chemical Engineering
University of Arkansas: magna cum laude
David Bacon joined Halocarbon Products Corp. as CEO in 2015. David was the first Halocarbon CEO to be hired from outside the company. His vision is to build the New Halocarbon and position it as the strategic growth partner for innovation in fluorochemistry. David has over 15 years of experience leading businesses in General Manager roles where he consistently improved operations and profitability. Prior to Halocarbon, he served as President of the LSP Products Group (a division of NCH Corporation) and as General Manager of the AT Plastics (EVA) division at Celanese Corporation. Prior to his general management roles, David was a management consultant for McKinsey & Company. He began his professional career as a chemical engineer at Exxon Corporation.
Julie Fortunato
Director of Finance
B.S. Accounting | University of Maryland, College Park
Graduate, Tax Executive Institute | University of Michigan/Ann Arbor
Certified Public Accountant (Maryland)
Certified Management Accountant
Julie A. Fortunato holds the Certified Public Accountant (Maryland) and Certified Management Accountant designations. Ms. Fortunato has worked for Halocarbon since August 2015 as Director of Finance.
Prior to joining Halocarbon, Julie held various positions with Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, most recently seconded to Arab Potash Company in Amman, Jordan as VP of Finance and Administration. Her chemical plant experience includes over 24 years working in both the Nitrogen and Phosphate divisions of PotashCorp as Plant Controller and Manager of Accounting. Julie has more than 34 years of experience in accounting, procurement, maintenance and warehouse operations.
Julie Fortunato
Director of Finance
B.S. Accounting | University of Maryland, College Park
Graduate, Tax Executive Institute | University of Michigan/Ann Arbor
Certified Public Accountant (Maryland)
Certified Management Accountant
Julie A. Fortunato holds the Certified Public Accountant (Maryland) and Certified Management Accountant designations. Ms. Fortunato has worked for Halocarbon since August 2015 as Director of Finance.
Prior to joining Halocarbon, Julie held various positions with Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, most recently seconded to Arab Potash Company in Amman, Jordan as VP of Finance and Administration. Her chemical plant experience includes over 24 years working in both the Nitrogen and Phosphate divisions of PotashCorp as Plant Controller and Manager of Accounting. Julie has more than 34 years of experience in accounting, procurement, maintenance and warehouse operations.
Derek Brown
Director of Supply Chain
B.S. Mechanical Engineering | Georgia Institute of Technology
B.S. Mathematics | Morehouse College
Derek Brown comes to Halocarbon with many years of supply chain leadership experience with companies including INVISTA, LSP Products/NCH Corporation and Celanese Corporation. Derek’s career began in production and operations, but for more than 16 years, Derek has held management roles with increasing responsibility in the area of supply chain, including inventory management, purchasing and customer service.
In his new role as part of Halocarbon’s leadership team, Derek is responsible for developing strategies that drive continuous improvement in customer service, procurement, warehousing and distribution, and inventory management.
Derek Brown
Director of Supply Chain
B.S. Mechanical Engineering | Georgia Institute of Technology
B.S. Mathematics | Morehouse College
Derek Brown comes to Halocarbon with many years of supply chain leadership experience with companies including INVISTA, LSP Products/NCH Corporation and Celanese Corporation. Derek’s career began in production and operations, but for more than 16 years, Derek has held management roles with increasing responsibility in the area of supply chain, including inventory management, purchasing and customer service.
In his new role as part of Halocarbon’s leadership team, Derek is responsible for developing strategies that drive continuous improvement in customer service, procurement, warehousing and distribution, and inventory management.
Sidd Shenoy
Director of Strategy and Innovation
M.B.A. Executive General Management | Drexel University
Ph.D. Organic Chemistry | University of California, Irvine
B.S. Chemistry, University of Virginia
Siddhartha (Sidd) Shenoy joined Halocarbon in May 2016 as the Director of Strategic Marketing, where he helped design the Halocarbon corporate-level strategy and its current business segment architecture. Sidd assumed the role of Director of Strategy and Innovation in 2018. His top priorities include designing and implementing new strategic growth initiatives for Halocarbon, and interfacing with both the Commercial and Technical/R&D teams at to build the company’s innovation pipeline.
Prior to joining the Halocarbon Leadership Team, Sidd worked at E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, where he held multiple business and technical leadership roles, serving markets and applications ranging from industrial biotechnology, agriculture and nutrition to electronics and fluorinated materials.
Sidd Shenoy
Director of Strategy and Innovation
M.B.A. Executive General Management | Drexel University
Ph.D. Organic Chemistry | University of California, Irvine
B.S. Chemistry, University of Virginia
Siddhartha (Sidd) Shenoy joined Halocarbon in May 2016 as the Director of Strategic Marketing, where he helped design the Halocarbon corporate-level strategy and its current business segment architecture. Sidd assumed the role of Director of Strategy and Innovation in 2018. His top priorities include designing and implementing new strategic growth initiatives for Halocarbon, and interfacing with both the Commercial and Technical/R&D teams at to build the company’s innovation pipeline.
Prior to joining the Halocarbon Leadership Team, Sidd worked at E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, where he held multiple business and technical leadership roles, serving markets and applications ranging from industrial biotechnology, agriculture and nutrition to electronics and fluorinated materials.
Kevin Hyman
Director of Human Resources
B.S. Industrial Management
Clemson University, South Carolina
Kevin Hyman is responsible for directing and developing Halocarbon’s people assets and culture in accordance with the company’s strategic direction, ethics and governmental regulations. He directs all aspects of Human Resources for Halocarbon.
Hyman joined Halocarbon in 2014 bringing with him over 25 years of domestic and international Human Resource experience from the textile and chemical industries. He is an active member of the business community and SHRM (Society of Human Resource Management).
Kevin Hyman
Director of Human Resources
B.S. Industrial Management
Clemson University, South Carolina
Kevin Hyman is responsible for directing and developing Halocarbon’s people assets and culture in accordance with the company’s strategic direction, ethics and governmental regulations. He directs all aspects of Human Resources for Halocarbon.
Hyman joined Halocarbon in 2014 bringing with him over 25 years of domestic and international Human Resource experience from the textile and chemical industries. He is an active member of the business community and SHRM (Society of Human Resource Management).
Carl Walther
Director of Research and Development
B.S. Chemical Engineering
Oklahoma State University
Walther joined Halocarbon in July of 2016 as Manager, Technical Services/Support being promoted to his current role in March of 2017. His most recent employment had been with Chemours as a Technical Service Senior Consultant in the Krytox Performance Lubricants business, which included both product and application development in a range of markets from industrial to aerospace as well as targeted R&D projects and manufacturing plant support. Walther is recognized as an authority in his field, has written papers, and made presentations to organizations such as AISE, IEEE PCIC, NLGI, NORIA, SAE, SMMA and STLE.
Walther joined Halocarbon with more than 30 years of experience in product and application development driving sales of specialty products into new and existing market spaces around the globe.
Carl Walther
Director of Research and Development
B.S. Chemical Engineering
Oklahoma State University
Walther joined Halocarbon in July of 2016 as Manager, Technical Services/Support being promoted to his current role in March of 2017. His most recent employment had been with Chemours as a Technical Service Senior Consultant in the Krytox Performance Lubricants business, which included both product and application development in a range of markets from industrial to aerospace as well as targeted R&D projects and manufacturing plant support. Walther is recognized as an authority in his field, has written papers, and made presentations to organizations such as AISE, IEEE PCIC, NLGI, NORIA, SAE, SMMA and STLE.
Walther joined Halocarbon with more than 30 years of experience in product and application development driving sales of specialty products into new and existing market spaces around the globe.
Norman Guest
Director of Environment, Health and Safety
B.S. Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology
Oklahoma State University
Guest most recently served as Director EHS – Safety Culture for Momentive Performance Materials, where he was responsible for EHS at 20 sites globally in 2 business sectors. Guest also partnered with all levels of the company on EHS/PSM compliance, safety leadership skill development. Prior to his role at Momentive, Guest served in various global, regional, and local EHS leadership roles at Celanese Corporation. While at Celanese, he led the achievement of setting new company EHS performance records; negotiated site operating permit approvals; developed and implemented the companies ALERT process and global communication plan; led EHS / PSM audits globally; developed and implemented global EHS management systems such as safe work permit process; and applied six sigma principles resulting in improved EHS performance and efficiency.
Guest joined Halocarbon in 2016 with more than 20 years of experience in driving world-class EHS performance bringing industry best practices to lead the company’s next phase of EHS performance, growth, and product innovation.
Norman Guest
Director of Environment, Health and Safety
B.S. Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology
Oklahoma State University
Guest most recently served as Director EHS – Safety Culture for Momentive Performance Materials, where he was responsible for EHS at 20 sites globally in 2 business sectors. Guest also partnered with all levels of the company on EHS/PSM compliance, safety leadership skill development. Prior to his role at Momentive, Guest served in various global, regional, and local EHS leadership roles at Celanese Corporation. While at Celanese, he led the achievement of setting new company EHS performance records; negotiated site operating permit approvals; developed and implemented the companies ALERT process and global communication plan; led EHS / PSM audits globally; developed and implemented global EHS management systems such as safe work permit process; and applied six sigma principles resulting in improved EHS performance and efficiency.
Guest joined Halocarbon in 2016 with more than 20 years of experience in driving world-class EHS performance bringing industry best practices to lead the company’s next phase of EHS performance, growth, and product innovation.
Jim Beatty
Director of Quality
B.S. Biology and Business Management
University of South Carolina
Jim Beatty joined Halocarbon in 2011. Jim has served in various roles of increasing responsibility and is currently leading the Quality Organization. In his role as the Director of Quality, Jim is leading a team of quality assurance and quality control scientists responsible for the development and implementation of strategies and protocols that meet or exceed the high-quality standards of Halocarbon products. Jim has demonstrated a steady track-record of leveraging a wealth of knowledge in quality management systems, which he developed while serving in the QA/QC departments of various industry leaders such as Pfizer and AmbioPharm.
Jim’s team ensures commercial product consistency, compliance of quality management systems, and the facilitation of a proactive, quality-focused corporate culture at Halocarbon. Jim is an enthusiastic professional who takes pride in ensuring that the quality and performance of Halocarbon products are second to none.
Jim Beatty
Director of Quality
B.S. Biology and Business Management
University of South Carolina
Jim Beatty joined Halocarbon in 2011. Jim has served in various roles of increasing responsibility and is currently leading the Quality Organization. In his role as the Director of Quality, Jim is leading a team of quality assurance and quality control scientists responsible for the development and implementation of strategies and protocols that meet or exceed the high-quality standards of Halocarbon products. Jim has demonstrated a steady track-record of leveraging a wealth of knowledge in quality management systems, which he developed while serving in the QA/QC departments of various industry leaders such as Pfizer and AmbioPharm.
Jim’s team ensures commercial product consistency, compliance of quality management systems, and the facilitation of a proactive, quality-focused corporate culture at Halocarbon. Jim is an enthusiastic professional who takes pride in ensuring that the quality and performance of Halocarbon products are second to none.
Ameya Acharekar
Manufacturing Director, Engineering Fluids & Electronic Solutions
B.S. Chemical Engineering
University of South Carolina
Ameya Acharekar directs the plant operations group responsible for both the Halocarbon Engineered Fluids & Halocarbon Electronic Solutions businesses. In this role, Ameya leads a cross-functional team of engineers and scientists that are responsible for providing a reliable supply of consistent and high-quality fluoroproducts for our customers globally. In addition, Ameya brings a strong foundation of experience in both production and design engineering to the development, scale-up, and production of new products, providing the solid manufacturing basis to fuel the growth of Halocarbon.
Ameya joined Halocarbon in 2007 and held roles as a Project Engineer and Process Development Manager prior to being promoted to Manufacturing Director in 2019. Prior to joining Halocarbon, Ameya worked at Eastman Chemical Company as a Process Improvement Engineer.
Ameya Acharekar
Manufacturing Director, Engineering Fluids & Electronic Solutions
B.S. Chemical Engineering
University of South Carolina
Ameya Acharekar directs the plant operations group responsible for both the Halocarbon Engineered Fluids & Halocarbon Electronic Solutions businesses. In this role, Ameya leads a cross-functional team of engineers and scientists that are responsible for providing a reliable supply of consistent and high-quality fluoroproducts for our customers globally. In addition, Ameya brings a strong foundation of experience in both production and design engineering to the development, scale-up, and production of new products, providing the solid manufacturing basis to fuel the growth of Halocarbon.
Ameya joined Halocarbon in 2007 and held roles as a Project Engineer and Process Development Manager prior to being promoted to Manufacturing Director in 2019. Prior to joining Halocarbon, Ameya worked at Eastman Chemical Company as a Process Improvement Engineer.
Mark R Frye
Manufacturing Director, Life Sciences
B.S. Chemical Engineering
Clemson University, SC
Mark Frye is the director of manufacturing the Halocarbon Life Sciences business segment. Mark Frye has over 30 years of production engineering experience in the specialty fluorochemical chemical industry. Mark joined the Halocarbon team in 1990 as a production engineer. Since then, Mark has assumed several roles in production management and leadership. Mark has been instrumental in the growth of Halocarbon over the past two-and-a-half decades by leading his team in all aspects of plant operations. His determination and drive for excellence has allowed Halocarbon to succeed both internally through continuous improvement and efficiency gains, and externally through high customer satisfaction and retention. Before joining Halocarbon, Mark worked as Operations Supervisor at Carolina Metals, a depleted uranium hexafluoride processing plant located in South Carolina.
Mark R Frye
Manufacturing Director, Life Sciences
B.S. Chemical Engineering
Clemson University, SC
Mark Frye is the director of manufacturing the Halocarbon Life Sciences business segment. Mark Frye has over 30 years of production engineering experience in the specialty fluorochemical chemical industry. Mark joined the Halocarbon team in 1990 as a production engineer. Since then, Mark has assumed several roles in production management and leadership. Mark has been instrumental in the growth of Halocarbon over the past two-and-a-half decades by leading his team in all aspects of plant operations. His determination and drive for excellence has allowed Halocarbon to succeed both internally through continuous improvement and efficiency gains, and externally through high customer satisfaction and retention. Before joining Halocarbon, Mark worked as Operations Supervisor at Carolina Metals, a depleted uranium hexafluoride processing plant located in South Carolina.
Brian Wintrode
Director of Reliability and Engineering
B.S. Electrical Engineering | Pennsylvania State University
M.B.A Bloomsburg University
Brian Wintrode has over 25 years of experience in industrial maintenance, reliability, engineering and plant operations. Brian started his career as a shipboard electrician for the United States Navy and is a veteran of the Gulf War. Upon receiving his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University, Brian entered the Paper industry and assumed roles of increasing responsibility including: Electrical Maintenance Engineer, Department Maintenance Superintendent, Maintenance Reliability and Engineering Manager, and Power and Utilities Manager.
In his role as the Director of Reliability and Engineering, Brian is leading a cross-functional team of engineers responsible for design and execution of capital projects, maintaining plant assets and utilities, and improving the overall plant reliability and operations at Halocarbon.
Brian Wintrode
Director of Reliability and Engineering
B.S. Biology and Business Management
University of South Carolina
Brian Wintrode has over 25 years of experience in industrial maintenance, reliability, engineering and plant operations. Brian started his career as a shipboard electrician for the United States Navy and is a veteran of the Gulf War. Upon receiving his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University, Brian entered the Paper industry and assumed roles of increasing responsibility including: Electrical Maintenance Engineer, Department Maintenance Superintendent, Maintenance Reliability and Engineering Manager, and Power and Utilities Manager.
In his role as the Director of Reliability and Engineering, Brian is leading a cross-functional team of engineers responsible for design and execution of capital projects, maintaining plant assets and utilities, and improving the overall plant reliability and operations at Halocarbon.
