LSB Industries Inc. has announced that Richard Sanders, currently a director on the company’s board, has been named interim executive vice president, chemical manufacturing, effective Sept. 29. He will oversee all plant operations and will report to Daniel Greenwell, interim CEO.
With Sanders’ appointment, LSB has suspended its previously announced search for a president of the Chemical business.
“Richard is recognized as a leading expert on nitrogen manufacturing and an outstanding addition to our executive management team,” said Greenwell. “He has a proven track record of success with world-class nitrogen manufacturing operations, including the management of major facility expansion projects. We are confident that his extensive experience will prove instrumental in our efforts to improve the reliability and profitability of our chemical facilities.”
Additionally, LSB announced the resignations of David Goss, executive vice president of operations, and Michael Tepper, senior vice president of LSB International Operations.
Sanders has been a director of the LSB board since 2014. He is a nitrogen fertilizer manufacturing consultant and previously served as vice president of manufacturing of Terra Industries Inc. from 2003 until the acquisition of Terra by CF Industries Holdings Inc. in 2010. On completion of the transaction, he worked on the integration of manufacturing operations.
At Terra, Sanders was responsible for the company’s six nitrogen manufacturing facilities’ overall operations, including production operations, environmental health and safety, project engineering, and technical services. He was also responsible for Terra’s annual capital investment program, including major expansion projects.
Sanders was plant manager of Terra’s Verdigris, Okla., nitrogen manufacturing complex for nine years prior to his role as vice president of manufacturing. Prior to Terra, he served as plant manager at the Beaumont Methanol Corp. manufacturing facility and in management and engineering positions for Agrico Chemical Co. He received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Louisiana State University.
Interim CEO Greenwell is also a former Terra executive.