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STEVE BLOCK Global Business Development Manager Elevance Renewable Sciences BS ChE 1982, University of Missouri - Rolla MS Eng Manage 1985, Wichita State University |
In 1982, Steve began his career working for Vulcan Chemicals (Witchita, KS) as a process engineer where he was responsible for chlor-alkali process design supporting capital expansion. In 1985, his career transitioned to Dow Corning (Elizabethtown, KY and Midland, MI) holding positions as production supervisor, quality engineer, application engineer, global science & technology manager, global business development manager, and associate scientist. During his nearly 30-year tenure at Dow Corning, Steve was involved with technology development in sealants, adhesives, coatings, and optical materials, which were utilized in Constructions, Automotive, Electronics, and Coatings industry groups. As Global Technology Manager for Sealants and Adhesives, his team, located on 3 continents, was responsible for product and process development of a $300M product line. Steve also held the position of Global Commercial Leader responsible for commercial development of a newly created Fluorosilicone innovation business team with novel technology utilized in coatings and portable electronic devices. He was subsequently named Electronics Industry Associate Scientist with specialization in the application of optical materials in displays for consumer electronics. Steve is currently the Global Business Development Manager for the Household, Institutional, Industrial Cleaning and Personal Care Industries at Elevance Renewable Sciences (Chicago, IL), a high-growth specialty chemical company that creates novel specialty chemicals from renewable feedstocks. He is responsible for leading business development and creating strategic relationships across the value chain in North America, Western Europe, Southeast Asia, and Japan.
During his career, Steve received: Technical Achievement Award (4-time winner), Business Athlete Award, Construction Industry Outstanding Achievement Award, Supply Chain Excellence, Best Paper - International Coatings for Plastics Conference, Speaker of Excellence - Sustainable Coatings Across Australia, and U.S. Public Service Award. He has 22 publications, 19 conference presentations, 24 internal Dow Corning research reports, 11 invention disclosures, and one patent pending. He has been a manuscript reviewer for Polymer Bulletin, on the Editorial Review Board with Windows & Door Industry, and a manuscript reviewer for Quality Press.
In his free time, Steve enjoys playing tennis, running, cooking, and traveling. Steve and his wife Cindy have 5 adult children (living across the Midwest) and currently live in Chicago.