What Happened?

About the Company

Eastman is a global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in a material way, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. The company`s innovation-driven growth model takes advantage of world-class technology platforms, deep customer engagement, and differentiated application development to grow its leading positions in attractive end-markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables. As a globally inclusive and diverse company, Eastman employs approximately 14,500 people around the world and serves customers in more than 100 countries. The company had 2018 revenues of approximately $10 billion and is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA.

About the Person

Gregory W. Nelson is Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Eastman Chemical Company. He is a member of the Eastman Chemical Executive Team. A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Nelson received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama in 1984 and a PhD in analytical chemistry from Emory University in 1988. He completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School in 2007.  After graduation in 1988, Dr. Nelson joined Eastman Chemical Company and conducted individual research in laboratory automation, polymers processing, polymer chemistry, and spectroscopic analysis of polymer systems and processes. He held a number of posts in the Research and Development organization prior to his appointment to the Business Organization in 1998. From 1998 to 2001, he served as Technology Manager for the Flexible Plastics Business Organization and subsequently as Business Unit Manager for the Polyethylene Business. In 2002, he was appointed Vice President, Voridian Technology, a division of Eastman Chemical Company; in 2006, he was appointed Vice President, Polymers Technology. Upon returning from Harvard Business School in 2007, Nelson was appointed Vice President, Corporate Technology; in August, 2008, he was appointed to his current position. Dr. Nelson is a member of the American Chemical Society and the Industrial Research Institute. He is on the Board of Directors of both SCORE (State Collaborative on Reforming Education) and Launch Tennessee (Tennessee Technology Development Corporation). He is also President of the Greater Kingsport United Way Board.