02.08.16
W. R. Grace & Co. announced that Hudson La Force has been named president and COO effective immediately. Since 2008, La Force has served as Grace’s SVP and CFO.
In his new role, La Force is responsible for Grace’s Catalysts Technologies and Materials Technologies business segments and Grace’s global manufacturing and supply chain operations.
The company expects to announce the appointment of a CFO soon. Until then, La Force will continue to serve in this capacity.
Since La Force joined Grace in April 2008, the company has experienced significant improvement in profitability, cash flow, and return on invested capital. Gross margins increased 8 percentage points, adjusted EBITDA margins increased 11 percentage points, adjusted free cash flow increased nearly three times, and adjusted return on invested capital increased 11 percentage points.
“Hudson has earned the deep respect of investors, customers, and employeess,” said Fred Festa, Grace chairman and CEO. “He has demonstrated everything our Board is looking for in a strategic leader to help us achieve our goals for growth and profitability.”
Prior to joining Grace, La Force served as COO and senior counselor to the secretary at the U.S. Department of Education and served as a member of the President’s Management Council. Previously, he held business and financial leadership positions at Dell, Inc., where he served as a general manager for Dell in China, among other roles. He also held leadership roles at AlliedSignal, Inc. (now Honeywell) and Emerson Electric Co.
In his new role, La Force is responsible for Grace’s Catalysts Technologies and Materials Technologies business segments and Grace’s global manufacturing and supply chain operations.
The company expects to announce the appointment of a CFO soon. Until then, La Force will continue to serve in this capacity.
Since La Force joined Grace in April 2008, the company has experienced significant improvement in profitability, cash flow, and return on invested capital. Gross margins increased 8 percentage points, adjusted EBITDA margins increased 11 percentage points, adjusted free cash flow increased nearly three times, and adjusted return on invested capital increased 11 percentage points.
“Hudson has earned the deep respect of investors, customers, and employeess,” said Fred Festa, Grace chairman and CEO. “He has demonstrated everything our Board is looking for in a strategic leader to help us achieve our goals for growth and profitability.”
Prior to joining Grace, La Force served as COO and senior counselor to the secretary at the U.S. Department of Education and served as a member of the President’s Management Council. Previously, he held business and financial leadership positions at Dell, Inc., where he served as a general manager for Dell in China, among other roles. He also held leadership roles at AlliedSignal, Inc. (now Honeywell) and Emerson Electric Co.