Ashland Inc. has announced that John E. Panichella, senior vice president and president, Ashland Specialty Ingredients, has been elected to the additional position of group operating officer. The appointment reflects the addition of global leadership responsibility for Ashland Water Technologies, a commercial unit of Ashland, following the departure of its president earlier this month.
Panichella was elected a senior vice president of Ashland in 2011. The same year, he became president of Ashland Specialty Ingredients, when International Specialty Products Inc. was acquired and merged into Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients. He joined Ashland in 2008 as a vice president and president of Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients, following Ashland`s acquisition of Hercules, where he held a similar position. Prior to joining Hercules in 2006, Panichella enjoyed a 25-year career with General Electric and BetzDearborn, where he served in numerous management positions, including business development, operations management, sales and marketing, and strategic development. His last position at General Electric Water and Process Technologies was vice president and general manager of the Americas business. Before joining General Electric, he served as vice president of the Global Hydrocarbon Processing unit of BetzDearborn.