The Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD), formerly the National Association of Chemical Distributors, announced the results of its election for incoming directors-at-large to the alliance’s board of directors. ACD also announced the winners of its annual awards, which includes the Distributor of the Year Award, Affiliate of the Year Award, Lifetime Achievement Award and Employee of the Year Award.

Two at-large directors were elected at the 2023 ACD Annual Meeting. Directors-at-large hold their positions for three years. The newly elected 2024 ACD Directors-at-Large are:

• Chris Ernst, Univar Solutions
• Jessica Fegan, Connection Chemical LP

“We are thrilled to welcome Chris Ernst of Univar Solutions to the board as director-at-large and congratulate Jessica Fegan of Connection Chemical for being elected for a second term,” said Eric R. Byer, president and CEO, ACD. “As we look to reflect the diversification underway in the chemical distribution industry through our new name and tagline, both Chris and Jessica have the experience and expertise to help usher in these exciting changes. We look forward to seeing their exceptional work on the board of directors.”

2023 Distributor of the Year Award: Terry Aubry of EMCO Chemical Distributors Inc.

Aubry is the director of Quality at EMCO Chemical Distributors Inc. based in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin. As an active participant of ACD, Aubry has represented the committees she chaired on the board of directors as well as a chairing the Responsible Distribution for six years and now is the vice chair of the Membership Committee, She has been instrumental in driving performance and in raising the perspective of many Responsible Distribution code coordinators in programmatic decisions at the association. She has stepped up to deliver countless presentations for our members and consistently brings her knowledge and best practices from EMCO to the greater community by training our broader membership on a variety of issues.

2023 Affiliate of the Year Awards: Lynn Bergeson and Rich Engler of Bergeson & Campbell P.C. 

Lynn Bergeson, founder and managing principal of Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. a Washington D.C. law firm, and Richard Engler, Ph.D., director of chemistry, have been, and continue to be, invaluable partners for the chemical distribution industry.

Bergeson is an expert in technical guidance and strategic perspectives on critical priorities including Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), permitting and many other environmental issues. Bergeson is a knowledgeable source of accurate and helpful guidance that supports ACD and its membership by providing 30-minutes of pro bono counsel every quarter to any member seeking support, legal and compliance advice on a variety of environmental issues as well as legal and regulatory counsel to ACD in support of its regulatory advocacy and compliance programs.

Engler is a 17-year veteran of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and has been a key advisor for nearly nine years alongside Lynn providing the alliance with technical support and guidance on a variety of Toxics Substance Control Act (TSCA) issues. Rich has also been a frequent presenter at ACD Regulatory Workshops on TSCA and Chemical Data Reporting. Most recently, he provided ACD with invaluable counsel on the reinstated Superfund chemical taxes.

ACD Lifetime Achievement Award: Kurt Hettinga of Superior Industrial Solutions

Kurt Hettinga is the president of Superior Industrial Solutions and immediate past chairman of the board for ACD. With a keen sense of responsibility to educate state and national policymakers, Hettinga has hosted the most Congressional site visits of the membership at his facilities and has been personally present at each one. This September, he conducted his 25th site visit welcoming Representative Rudy Yakym (IN-2) to Superior’s Elkhart, Indiana facility. Hettinga has been working in chemical distribution for nearly 30 years and has been an active participant, contributor and leader within the alliance for more than a dozen years. He has driven the Alliance to build stronger relationships up and down the supply chain as well as with local and National officials.

ACD Employee of the Year Award: Brian Callahan, vice president of Legislative Affairs

Brian Callahan joined ACD in 2021 as senior director of legislative affairs and was recently promoted to vice president of legislative affairs. Callahan spends his days navigating fundraisers, hearings and meetings on Capitol Hill to advance the many causes of the alliance. His leadership, profound policy expertise and unparalleled knack for building relationships have been instrumental in advancing connections with Congressional representatives and ACD members advancing the legislative priorities of the chemical distribution industry.

For more information, visit: www.acd-chem.com.