Meridian’s leadership team brings deep industry experience, a customer-focused mindset, and a commitment to supporting the businesses we acquire and integrate. With strategic expertise and personalized guidance, our leaders ensure smooth transitions and help businesses unlock their full potential. Their focus on growth and customer success drives our continued excellence in a competitive global market.
Executive Leadership Team
Daniel Pelton
Chief Executive Officer
30+ years of experience in the specialty chemicals space
Holds nine patents and two corporate trade secrets in adhesives, coatings and composites
Prior experience as an Operating Executive at Dominus Capital, CEO of Taylor Adhesives, Director of the Americas at Kordsa Global
B.S. in Chemistry/Business Management from Gannon University
Wayne Byrne
Chief Financial Officer
30+ years of leadership experience in financial and operational roles within the industrial and specialty chemicals market
Prior experience at Emerald Performance Materials, Royal Adhesives & Sealants, Quest Specialty Chemicals, Duraline Holdings
MBA from the University of Florida, BSBA in Finance from the University of Central Florida
Brandon Willis
Chief Operating Officer
25+ years of experience within the coatings and adhesives for the automotive and electronics sectors
B.S. In Chemistry from University of Southern Indiana, MBA from Northwestern University Kellogg School of Business
John Baker
Chief Human Resources Officer
25+ years of experience in multiple global leadership roles
Prior experience at WestRock, MeadWestvaco, Honeywell, and McKesson General Medical
MA Industrial Relations from University of Minnesota, and BS Public Affairs from Indiana University
Commercial Presidents
Brian Brace
Commercial President - Electronics Division
30+ years of sealants & adhesives experience in sales & marketing, operations and executive leadership roles
Previous companies include United Technologies Automotive (A UTC Company), Nitto Denko, & Blueshift Materials, Inc.
BBA from Adrian College & MBA from University of Detroit Mercy
Ralph Grogan
Commercial President - Industrial Flooring Division
30+ years of industry experience in the flooring market in multiple global leadership roles
Prior experience at Bentley Mills, Parterre, and Invest
MBA & BA in Business from University of North Carolina
Jerry Stempel
Commercial President - Industrial Packaging Division
35+ years of leadership experience in the adhesives and coatings sector
B.S. in English from Washington University in St. Louis
TJ Bland
Commercial President - Infrastructure Division
20+ years of experience in the specified structural adhesives and fastener industry
Patent holder in the U.S., EU, China and Taiwan
Prior experience as VP of R&D for Stanley Black & Decker, Director of Product Development at Powers Fasteners
B.S. in Electrical Engineering from University of Mississippi, Licensed Professional Engineer (Civil) from University of the State of New York
Grant Huffine
Commercial President - Product Assembly Division
Over 20+ years within the Building, Construction, and Adhesives industries
Previous leadership experience at H.B. Fuller and Armstrong World Ind.
Education:
MBA – Auburn University
BS – University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
Functional Support
Robert Ddamulira
Vice President of Technology
35+ years of experience in adhesives R&D
Holds six U.S., three Canadian, three EU and three Australian patents; as well as 100+ trade secrets
Taylor Adhesives (VP of R&D), Chembond Ltd (Manager, R&D)
B.S. in Chemistry and Geology from Makerere University in Uganda and the University of Toronto; MBA from University of Tennessee
Mark Ericson
Vice President of Supply Chain
25+ years of industry experience in specialty chemicals and supply chain
Prior experience at WR Grace, Sealed Air Corp, Royal Adhesives & Sealants, and Elite Comfort Solutions
B.S. from SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Certified Professional in Supply Chain Management (CPSM), Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM)
Chris O’Neil
Vice President of Information Technology
35+ years of experience in Information Technology leadership
Prior experience at Emerald Performance Materials, Lanxess, and FedEx
MBA from Kent State University, and B.S. in Computer Science from The University of Akron
Neelam Kumar
Senior Director of Marketing & Communications
20+ years of global experience in Marketing and Product Management leadership roles in advanced materials and specialty chemicals
Prior experience at Saint-Gobain Ceramic Materials, Aurorium, and Armor-IIMAK.
B.S. in Chemical Engineering from HBTU India, MBA from SUNY Buffalo.
