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Celeste Mastin Appointed H.B. Fuller President and CEO, Succeeding Jim Owens Upon His Retirement

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H.B. Fuller Company (NYSE: FUL) announced the appointment of Celeste Mastin as the new President and CEO, effective December 4, 2022. Mastin, previously the Executive Vice President and COO, succeeds Jim Owens, who is retiring after 12 years of leadership. Under Owens, the company saw revenue and market value triple, shifting focus to higher-growth sectors like electronics and solar. The transition follows a multi-year succession planning process, with the board expressing confidence in Mastin's ability to advance the company's growth strategy.

Positive
  • Celeste Mastin appointed as President and CEO, ensuring continuity in leadership.
  • Mastin has a proven track record in guiding corporate growth through innovation and acquisitions.
  • Company has tripled in revenue and market value under Jim Owens' leadership.
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  • None.

Appointment Effective December 4, 2022

Transition Culminates a Multi-Year Succession Planning Process

ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- H.B. Fuller Company (NYSE: FUL) announced today that Celeste Mastin, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, will succeed Jim Owens as H.B. Fuller’s President and Chief Executive Officer, effective December 4, 2022. Upon assuming the role, Mastin will also join the Company's Board of Directors, replacing Owens, who will be retiring.

Celeste Mastin appointed H.B. Fuller President and CEO, succeeding Jim Owens upon his retirement. (Photo: Business Wire)

Celeste Mastin appointed H.B. Fuller President and CEO, succeeding Jim Owens upon his retirement. (Photo: Business Wire)

“It has been a privilege to serve as CEO of H.B. Fuller, and I am very proud of all that we have accomplished as a team over the last 12 years,” said Jim Owens, President and CEO. “With a proven value-creation strategy, an experienced leadership team in place, and positive momentum, this is the opportune time to transition the Company’s leadership.”

Owens added, “Celeste is an outstanding leader and ideal fit with H.B. Fuller’s entrepreneurial, customer-focused, global culture. She brings strategic insights, continuity of leadership, and a strong record of delivering exceptional results. I am confident the Company will excel and reach new levels of financial and operational performance under her leadership.”

“I would like to thank Jim and the Board for the opportunity to lead this fantastic company and the many exceptional team members who work for H.B. Fuller,” said Mastin. “H.B. Fuller has a rich history of innovating to create unique products to meet our customers’ most-challenging needs and has become the world’s leading pure-play adhesives company. We have a winning strategy, tremendous talent and leadership, and the entrepreneurial culture that will continue this legacy. I believe strongly in our strategy and vision and I will remain focused on expanding on these strengths to accelerate organic growth and enhance the Company’s margin profile to achieve our strategic goals and reach our full potential.”

“On behalf of the entire Board, I would like to thank Jim Owens for his strong and tireless leadership of H.B. Fuller for the past 12 years and congratulate him on his retirement,” said Lee Mitau, Chairman of the Board. “Under Jim’s leadership, the Company has tripled in both revenue and market value as the Company shifted its portfolio towards more highly specified, higher growth market segments, such as electronics, solar, and electric vehicles. There is no question the Company will continue to benefit from Jim’s indelible contributions as CEO. We wish him and his family well in the years ahead.”

Mitau continued, “The Board has full confidence that Celeste is the right leader to continue to advance our strategy and keep moving H.B. Fuller forward. Celeste was hired into the COO role based on her wealth of experience leading complex, global businesses, and her qualifications and abilities to assume the role of CEO. Her appointment culminates a multi-year process to identify the best candidate to succeed Jim. We look forward to welcoming Celeste onto the Board and working with her to continue to execute the Company’s proven strategy and further accelerate shareholder value creation.”

About Celeste Mastin:

Celeste Mastin currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of H.B. Fuller. She has more than 30 years’ experience in manufacturing and distribution with a successful track record of guiding companies’ growth through innovation, service improvement, global expansion, and acquisition.

Prior to joining H.B. Fuller, Mastin served as CEO of PetroChoice Lubrication Solutions, one of the largest distributors of petroleum lubrication solutions in the United States. Prior to that, she held CEO roles at Distribution International, Inc. and MMI Products, Inc. (a division of Oldcastle), and she served in senior leadership roles at Ferro Corporation and Bostik Adhesives, now owned by Arkema. Mastin began her career at Shell Chemical Co. She currently serves on the board of directors of Granite Construction, Inc. (NYSE: GVA).

Mastin earned her MBA from the University of Houston and her BS in Chemical Engineering from Washington State University.

About H.B. Fuller Company:

Since 1887, H.B. Fuller has been a leading global adhesives provider focusing on perfecting adhesives, sealants and other specialty chemical products to improve products and lives. With fiscal 2021 net revenue of $3.3 billion, H.B. Fuller’s commitment to innovation and sustainable adhesive solutions brings together people, products and processes that answer and solve some of the world's biggest challenges. Our reliable, responsive service creates lasting, rewarding connections with customers in electronics, disposable hygiene, medical, transportation, aerospace, clean energy, packaging, construction, woodworking, general industries and other consumer businesses. And, our promise to our people connects them with opportunities to innovate and thrive. For more information, visit us at https://www.hbfuller.com.

Steven Brazones

Investor Relations Contact

651-236-5060

Source: H.B. Fuller Company

FAQ

Who is the new CEO of H.B. Fuller effective December 2022?

Celeste Mastin is the new President and CEO of H.B. Fuller, effective December 4, 2022.

What changes occurred in H.B. Fuller's leadership?

Celeste Mastin succeeded Jim Owens as President and CEO of H.B. Fuller, marking a transition after Owens' retirement.

What has been H.B. Fuller's performance under Jim Owens?

Under Jim Owens' leadership, H.B. Fuller tripled its revenue and market value while focusing on higher-growth market segments.

What experience does Celeste Mastin bring as H.B. Fuller CEO?

Celeste Mastin has over 30 years of experience in manufacturing and distribution, with roles in leading complex global businesses.

How does H.B. Fuller plan to enhance shareholder value under new leadership?

Celeste Mastin aims to accelerate organic growth and enhance the company's margin profile to achieve strategic goals.

H.B. Fuller Company

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4.13B
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Specialty Chemicals
Adhesives & Sealants
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