William S. Stavropoulos begins the interview with a discussion of his family's Grecian ancestry. He describes their migration and eventual settlement in the United States. Stavropoulos goes on to recount his childhood and education in the small, tight-nit community of Bridgehampton, New York, where his high school teacher, Robert Smith, sparked his interest in science. In 1961, Stavropoulos attended Fordham University, where he received a B.S. in pharmacy. Having received his Ph.D. in medical chemistry from the University of Washington, Stavropoulos was hired at Dow Chemical as a research chemist. He remained in Dow Chemical to act as business manager for several departments. Then in 1980, he embarked on the path to becoming the CEO of Dow, beginning with his promotion to Commercial Vice President of Dow Latin America. During that time period, he and his family relocated to Coral Gables, Florida. In 1995, Mr. Stavropoulos was named CEO of Dow Chemical Company. Mr. Stavropoulos concludes the interview with his thoughts on winning the American Chemical Industry Medal in 2001 from the Society of Chemical Industry.
Dow Chemical Company
1967 - 1970
Research Chemist, Pharmaceutical Research
Dow Chemical Company
1970 - 1973
Research Chemist, Diagnostics Products
Dow Chemical Company
1973 - 1976
Research Manager, Diagnostics Products
Dow Chemical Company
1976 - 1977
Business Manager, Diagnostics Product
Dow Chemical Company
1977 - 1979
Business Manager, Polyolefins Division
Dow Chemical Company
1979 - 1980
Director of Marketing, Dow U.S.A. Plastics Department
Dow Chemical Company
1980 - 1984
Commercial Vice President, Dow Latin America
Dow Chemical Company
1984 - 1985
President, Dow Latin America
Dow Chemical Company
1985 - 1987
Commercial Vice President, Dow U.S.A. Basics and Hydrocarbons
Dow Chemical Company
1987 - 1990
Group Vice President, Dow U.S.A. Plastics and Hydrocarbons
Dow Chemical Company
1990 - 1991
President, Dow U.S.A.; Vice President
Dow Chemical Company
1991
Member, Board of Directors, Dow Corning Corporation
Dow Chemical Company
1991 - 1993
Executive Vice President
Dow Chemical Company
1993 - 1995
President and Chief Operating Officer
Dow Chemical Company
1995
President and Chief Executive Officer
Title and Description Page
Family History and Early Interest in Science 1
Parent's Immigration from Greece. Life and school in Long Island, NY. Interest in math and science sparked by teacher, Robert Smith.
College Education 2
Pharmacy at Fordham. Graduate school at the University of Washington. Studying medicinal chemistry under Al Huitric. Encounter with the Dow Chemical Company recruiter.
Career at Dow Chemical Company 5
The move to Dow in Indianapolis. Working with small groups. Named Director of Marketing in plastics, CVP of Dow Latin America and then CVP of Dow USA. Becoming president and CEO of the Dow.
The Management Philosophy Realized 12
The importance of change and commitment to research. Major acquisitions and divestments. Accountability and responsibility. The triple bottom-line theory.
Conclusion 18
Thoughts on winning the Society of Chemical Industry Award. Reflection on Greece and family as focal points in life.
Notes 22
Index 23
James G. Traynham
James G. Traynham is a professor of chemistry at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. He holds a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Northwestern University. He joined Louisiana State University in 1953 and served as chemistry department chairperson from 1968 to 1973. He was chairman of the American Chemical Society’s Division of the History of Chemistry in 1988 and is currently councilor of the Baton Rouge section of the American Chemical Society. He was a member of the American Chemical Society’s Joint-Board Council on Chemistry and Public Affairs, as well as a member of the Society’s Committees on Science, Chemical Education, and Organic Chemistry Nomenclature. He has written over 90 publications, including a book on organic nomenclature and a book on the history of organic chemistry.