# Ed Sparks

> Ed Sparks is the chief executive officer of W. R. Grace, a Columbia, Maryland-based specialty chemicals company owned by Standard Industries. Appointed in April 2023, he previously led Titanium Technologies and Chemical Solutions at Chemours after a career spanning engineering, operations, technology, strategy, sales and regional leadership. He holds a chemical engineering degree from Tennessee Technological University and serves on the boards of the American Chemistry Council and SCI Americas.

- **Role:** Chief Executive Officer at W. R. Grace
- **Organizations:** W. R. Grace, Standard Industries, The Chemours Company, DuPont, Dow, American Chemistry Council, SCI Americas, National Association of Manufacturers, American Coatings Association, United Way of Southern Chester County
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, Tennessee Technological University, Advanced Management Program (executive education), Wharton Executive Education
- **Known for:** Led a United Way of Southern Chester County fundraising campaign that raised $1.2 million., Chemours credited him with a strategic turnaround of Chemical Solutions involving cost, portfolio and pricing actions., Served as president of multiple Chemours businesses before his appointment as Grace CEO.

## Career timeline

- **Early career** — Internship at Dow.
- **1994-2015** — DuPont career beginning at the New Johnsonville titanium technologies manufacturing facility; responsibilities across operations, technology, strategy and sales.
- **2015** — Joined newly formed Chemours as a regional business director in Singapore.
- **Before 2018** — Established the corporate strategy function at Chemours.
- **2018** — Became president of Chemical Solutions at Chemours.
- **2019** — Became president of Fluoroproducts and Chemical Solutions at Chemours.
- **2021-03** — Became president of Titanium Technologies while retaining Chemical Solutions responsibilities, effective March 1.
- **2023-03** — Resigned from Chemours, effective March 31.
- **2023-04** — Appointed chief executive officer of Grace, succeeding Bob Patel.

## Achievements

- Led a United Way of Southern Chester County fundraising campaign that raised $1.2 million.
- Chemours credited him with a strategic turnaround of Chemical Solutions involving cost, portfolio and pricing actions.
- Served as president of multiple Chemours businesses before his appointment as Grace CEO.
- Completed Six Sigma Black Belt training and APICS supply-chain certification.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — Featured as the September 22 industry keynote speaker at the CHEMTREC International Hazmat Summit in Nashville, on workplace culture and an evolving risk landscape.
- **2026-05** — Listed as speaker for the AIChE Delaware Valley section’s 28th Annual CEO Dinner at the Union League of Philadelphia on May 11.
- **2025-07** — Welcomed 14 participants into Grace manufacturing and commercial leadership programs, including eight returning interns.

## Links

- Website: https://grace.com/about-grace/leadership-team/ed-sparks/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-sparks1

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/ed-sparks
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-24