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| Jim Fitterling | |
|---|---|
| Name | Jim Fitterling |
| Birth date | 1959 |
| Birth place | United States |
| Occupation | Business executive, chemical engineer |
| Employer | Dow Inc. |
| Title | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
Jim Fitterling
James R. Fitterling is an American chemical engineer and business executive who served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dow Inc. and previously held senior leadership roles at The Dow Chemical Company. He rose through technical and commercial ranks across chemical engineering, petrochemicals, and materials science sectors, leading corporate strategy during major corporate events including the DowDuPont merger and subsequent separations. Fitterling is notable for being an openly gay executive in the Fortune 500 and for public advocacy on diversity and inclusion within corporate America.
Fitterling was born in the United States and raised in the Midwest, where he attended public schools before pursuing higher education in engineering. He earned a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from University of Toledo, followed by advanced management training at University of Michigan executive programs and leadership courses associated with Harvard Business School and Kellogg School of Management. His technical foundation linked him to professional networks such as the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, American Chemical Society, and connections with researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, California Institute of Technology, and Stanford University through industry collaborations.
Fitterling began his career at Dow Chemical Company in the early 1980s in technical and operational roles, moving through positions in production, research and development, and commercial management. Over decades he held leadership posts spanning Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Americas, managing manufacturing sites, supply chains, and business units tied to ethylene, polyethylene, and specialty materials portfolios. He served as a senior vice president for Dow's global businesses and led Dow Corning integration activities, reporting into boards and committees that included representatives from BASF, ExxonMobil, Shell plc, and Bayer AG. Throughout his tenure he worked closely with corporate governance entities such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, investor relations teams including BlackRock and Vanguard Group, and strategic advisors from McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group, and Goldman Sachs.
As chief executive, Fitterling guided Dow Inc. through post-merger restructuring after the DowDuPont transaction and the spin-offs that created standalone entities including Corteva, DuPont de Nemours, Inc., and Dow. He oversaw operational optimization programs that involved capital projects in Freeport, Texas, expansions in Mideast joint ventures with partners like Saudi Aramco and SABIC, and investments in advanced materials for customers in automotive OEM supply chains such as Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and Toyota Motor Corporation. His strategic agenda emphasized portfolio simplification, cash flow generation, and shareholder returns, engaging advisory firms like J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley, and Bank of America Merrill Lynch and coordinating with institutional investors including State Street Corporation and T. Rowe Price. Under his leadership, Dow navigated global trade issues involving World Trade Organization disputes, tariffs connected to U.S.–China trade relations, and regulatory matters across jurisdictions including the European Commission and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Fitterling publicly came out as gay during his tenure at Dow, becoming one of the highest-profile openly gay executives in the Fortune 500 and engaging with advocacy organizations such as Human Rights Campaign, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, and GLAAD. He has participated in panels alongside executives from Microsoft, Apple Inc., IBM, Google (Alphabet Inc.), and Amazon (company) to discuss inclusive workplaces and employee resource groups, and he has worked with diversity officers from Citi, Wells Fargo, and JPMorgan Chase. His advocacy extended to mentorship programs connected with Stonewall and LGBT business networks in New York City, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.. Fitterling has also supported STEM outreach initiatives collaborating with institutions like University of Michigan, Ohio State University, and nonprofit groups such as FIRST and Girls Who Code to encourage underrepresented youth to pursue careers in science and engineering.
Fitterling's leadership and advocacy have been acknowledged by corporate and civic organizations. He has been featured in lists and profiles by media outlets including Fortune (magazine), The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Bloomberg, and Reuters for his role in industry realignment and diversity leadership. He received recognition from Human Rights Campaign and business groups such as Out Leadership and was invited to speak at forums hosted by World Economic Forum and National Association of Manufacturers. Corporate honors and board appointments connected him with institutions including United Way, The Business Roundtable, and academic advisory boards at University of Toledo and University of Michigan.
Category:American chief executives Category:People in the chemical industry