Van Son Holland Ink of America Names Robert Speijer President

Van Son has appointed Robert Speijer as president of Van Son Holland Ink of America. Mr. Speijer joins Van Son with an extensive  background in the paint and chemical industries, and has more than 20 years of experience in management and marketing at the international level.
    
After 40 years with the company, Joe Bendowski, Van Son’s most recent president, has decided to change his responsibilities within the company and begin his transition toward retirement.
    
In addition, general manager John Sammis has been given overall responsibility for Van Son Holland Ink’s national sales of offset inks in America.

Ursula L. Stevens, corporate vice president and general manager, Sun Chemical
 
Latin America, retired from Sun Chemical at the end 2002, after 36 years of service to the company.
    
“Ursula has had an enormous impact on Sun Chemical, and was the driving force in building our Latin American business,” said Wes Lucas, chairman, president and CEO of Sun Chemical. “Her leadership, character, tenacity, skill with customers, and ability to grow the business have earned her much respect and admiration both in and out of Sun Chemical, where she has made many good friends over the years.”
    
Ms. Stevens joined Rutherford Machinery, a former Sun Chemical subsidiary, in 1966.  Seven years later, she joined Sun Chemical Export as its controller, and in 1983 she was named assistant director. In 1986, Ms. Stevens was named the director of Sun Chemical Export Group. In 1992, she was named general manager of Sun Chemical International (SCI), a then newly formed trading company that is now known as Sun Chemical Latin America. From 1992-1997, she also managed Polychrome Latin America.
    
Under her leadership, Sun Chemical Latin America expanded its activities in the emerging markets of Latin America and the Caribbean. Today, the Sun Chemical flag flies over facilities in nearly every country in the region.
    
In 1994, Ms. Stevens was promoted to corporate vice president and given the added responsibilities of the company’s manufacturing, sales and service operations in Central and South America. In 1981, Ms. Stevens was named “Woman of the Year” by the Tribute – Women and Industry (TWIN) and the YMCA of Ridgewood, NJ.
    
Gregory M. Lawson has succeeded Ms. Stevens as general manager of Sun Chemical Latin America, reporting to Mr. Lucas. He will be responsible for all aspects of leading the Latin American business. This includes all sales, marketing, manufacturing and other operational activities in Latin America and the Caribbean; in joint ventures in Central and South America; as well as export activities for four other Sun Chemical divisions – Sun Chemical Ink (GPI), Hartmann, Kohl & Madden, and US Ink.