SOUTH BOSTON, VA — ChemQuest Technology Institute (CQTI) announced that Charles Kimbler has joined the company as a Director. For over 20 years, Kimbler has driven innovation and technological advances in formulated coatings, developing and delivering customer-centric solutions across diverse end markets and global geographies.

Kimbler earned his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Eastern Kentucky University, followed by an MBA in international management from Baldwin-Wallace University. Kimbler is also NACE (National Association of Corrosion Engineers) CIP Level 3 certified.

In his 22-year tenure with The Sherwin-Williams Co., Kimbler rose from his initial position as a Coatings Chemist in the North American Automotive Division to a Global Product Manager, expanding beyond a scientific role into global marketing and business development, product management, product development, technical service, and the manufacturing of coatings.

As Sherwin-Williams’ Global Product Manager, Kimbler was integral in identifying attractive technologies for an international product portfolio, which he eventually launched in overseas markets such as China and India between 2004 and 2007. Joining the Protective and Marine Global Division in 2008, Kimbler’s technical leadership guided Sherwin-Williams’ development and marketing for high-performance products, including new epoxy coatings, high-temperature coatings and antifouling formulations. Kimbler’s last position held at Sherwin-Williams was Senior Scientist, Protective and Marine Coatings, where he commercialized new technologies through Stage Gate, while streamlining the existing portfolio in coatings and adjacent products.

Most recently, Kimbler’s key responsibilities as the Global Technical Service & Development Manager for the Coatings Group at Michelman Inc. included optimizing customers’ starting formulations with newly developed binders. On the research and development side of the business, he managed the accelerated performance testing of binders and surface modifiers through outdoor weathering studies.  Kimbler also mentored (and recommended products and solutions) to its sales organization and conducted joint technical visits with them.

“We are excited to welcome Charles Kimbler to our practice,” said Dan Murad, president/CEO of ChemQuest. “We feel confident that ChemQuest Technology Institute clients will benefit from Charles’ diverse successes in the coatings’ value chain ranging from applied R&D, to sales and marketing, to product management of finished coatings and raw materials.”

The ChemQuest Group Inc. is an international business strategy firm focusing on specialty chemicals.