Parsippany's Evonik Corp. Gets a New President

Specialty chemical firm Evonik Corporation has a new president.

John Rolando, who has spent over 25 years at the global company headquartered in Parsippany took the title of president Monday. He replaces Tom Bates, who is retiring after more than 15 years at the North American subsidiary of Evonik Industries—the last five as president. 

“We are pleased to have an executive of John’s caliber lead Evonik Corporation into the future,” said Klaus Engel, CEO of Germany-based Evonik Industries. “John initiates change rather than reacts to it, and endeavors to motivate people to achieve their best and inspire them.” 

Engel applauded Bates' work over the past few decades.

“Tom helped steer Evonik Corporation through some turbulent times, particularly the 2008 global financial crisis,” said Engel.  “We thank him for his many years of hard work and devoted service.” 

Rolando is currently president of the company’s Performance Polymers North America Business Unit. He served as president of Evonik Corporation for two years beginning in 2006 while remaining president of Cyro Industries. The office of president since has been transformed into a full-time position. 

“Evonik Corporation is embarking on an exciting chapter in its history and I’m privileged to be a part of it,” said the new president.  “In the past year, Evonik Corporation created the Evonik Oil & Gas Group to boost the resource-efficiency of products for the oil and gas industries and facilitate our growth within these expanding markets. Evonik Industries also began an engineering study for a new multimillion dollar methyl methacrylate plant at our Mobile, Ala., site and will make a decision this summer.” 

Rolando joined the company in 1987 and has held various marketing and management positions at Evonik Corporation and its predecessors. 

Prior to assuming his current role, he was vice president of marketing for Feed Additives in Germany. He previously worked in Evonik’s Aerosil & Silanes Business Unit and also worked on Strategic Projects for the Specialty Polymers Division in North America. 

Rolando holds a master's in business administration from Iona College of New York, and a bachelor's in interdisciplinary engineering and management from Clarkson University in New York.