Rendell Nominates DCED Secretary
Governor Edward G. Rendell today named George E. Cornelius, the immediate past president and chief executive officer of Arkema Inc., as secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development.
In his nearly 13 years with Arkema—the last four of which he held the top executive position—Cornelius led the company to double-digit growth in earnings, increased margins, and tens of millions of dollars in cost savings.
“When George took the helm of Arkema, he applied a strong focus on outcomes and turned the chemical company into a competitive player in the Americas,” said the Governor. “George’s experience and track record as a CEO is stellar. While the improved financial condition of the company is evidence of George’s talent, he understood that in order for the bottom line to grow, the company had to function better at all levels.
“George is also one of those great CEO’s who takes seriously his responsibility to be a civic leader. He was an active member of United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania’s executive board. He increased his company’s involvement in the United Way and encouraged other companies in the southeast to follow his lead.
“When I asked George why he was involved in the United Way, he said, ‘I believe that corporations owe something to their community. A vibrant community attracts talent, so it’s to everyone’s advantage to have a vibrant community. That includes a strong cultural environment and a good education system.’ I share those beliefs and appreciate George’s efforts to give back to his community.”
The Governor added that Cornelius’ experience managing an international company and overseeing Arkema’s breakthrough developments in cutting edge products will help advance initiatives in two areas critical to the state’s economic success.
“Given George’s experience leading a multi-national organization and facilitating agreements in other countries, he’s a terrific fit to build upon our international trade efforts – increasing exports while attracting more cross-border investments to our state,” said the Governor. “DCED’s work has established Pennsylvania as a major player in the global marketplace with foreign companies investing approximately $484 million here over the past three years with plans to create 4,900 jobs.
“Additionally, I have been impressed by his drive to advance cutting edge research and technologies. George can help us push forward with our Energy Independence Strategy, which is essential to our nation’s effort to break its dependence on foreign oil and usher in a cleaner, greener economy.”
Arkema, a global diversified chemical company and France’s leading chemicals producer, consists of three strategically related businesses: vinyl products, industrial chemicals, and performance products. Arkema reports sales of 5.7 billion euros (nearly $7.4 billion). Arkema has 15,200 employees in more than 40 countries and six research centers located in France, the United States and Japan.
The company’s business segments serve a variety of industries, including agriculture, automotive, chemical, construction and water treatment industries. Arkema’s products are also used to produce electronics, hygiene and beauty products, paper goods and athletic apparel. Perhaps Arkema’s most well known product is Plexiglas®.
More recently, the company has made major breakthroughs in products that will help develop advanced fuel cells and nano technologies.
From Arkema’s U.S. headquarters in Philadelphia, Cornelius served as president and CEO of the company’s Americas division, where he oversaw seven business units, research and development activities in King of Prussia, 18 manufacturing sites, and commercial offices in the U.S., Brazil, Mexico and Canada. The Americas operation, with nearly 2,200 employees, was responsible for 25 percent of the global company’s total sales.
Cornelius previously served as the corporation’s vice president and general counsel before being named to the top U.S. position within the company. Prior to joining Arkema, he was a partner with Eckert, Seamans, Cherin & Mellot, a full service national law firm, headquartered in Pittsburgh.
Cornelius holds a juris doctorate from Dickinson School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from The Pennsylvania State University.
“As a life-long Pennsylvanian who has worked and been involved in businesses across the state, and who cares deeply about the future of this great commonwealth and its people, I am excited about the opportunity to help strengthen the state’s competitiveness and facilitate the generation of 21st century jobs,” said Cornelius. “Pennsylvania is well positioned to succeed in the hyper-competitive global marketplace, but it must be proactive if it is to be successful in preserving and attracting well-paying jobs.”
As DCED secretary, Cornelius will continue to implement the key components of Governor Rendell's economic stimulus package, which has leveraged nearly $3 billion in state resources to attract $8.6 billion in additional investments—far more than the state’s original projection of $5 billion. Combined, these resources are supporting 2,800 job-producing projects throughout the commonwealth.
During Governor Rendell’s administration, Pennsylvania’s gross domestic product has jumped more than 20 percent, growing from $423 billion in 2002 to $531 billion in 2007; and exports have nearly doubled from $15.8 billion to almost $30 billion. Venture capital investments in Pennsylvania have also skyrocketed from $458 million to $835 million during that same time period.
DCED has focused on helping existing Pennsylvania businesses expand and attract out-of-state businesses under Governor Rendell. The Governor’s Action Team has successfully completed nearly 1,100 projects with 115,385 committed new jobs and $13.8 billion of private investment since January 2003. Additionally Pennsylvania’s has emerged as a major player in the global marketplace through the Governor’s World Trade PA initiative with foreign companies investing $484 million here over the past three years with plans to create 4,900 jobs.
DCED is a more than 350-person agency with a nearly $900 million budget from state, federal and other funds.
Cornelius and his wife, Susan, reside in Chester County. They have two adult sons.
If confirmed by the Senate, Cornelius will succeed Dennis Yablonsky, who quit last fall after five years in the post to take a job in the private sector.
In his nearly 13 years with Arkema—the last four of which he held the top executive position—Cornelius led the company to double-digit growth in earnings, increased margins, and tens of millions of dollars in cost savings.
“When George took the helm of Arkema, he applied a strong focus on outcomes and turned the chemical company into a competitive player in the Americas,” said the Governor. “George’s experience and track record as a CEO is stellar. While the improved financial condition of the company is evidence of George’s talent, he understood that in order for the bottom line to grow, the company had to function better at all levels.
“George is also one of those great CEO’s who takes seriously his responsibility to be a civic leader. He was an active member of United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania’s executive board. He increased his company’s involvement in the United Way and encouraged other companies in the southeast to follow his lead.
“When I asked George why he was involved in the United Way, he said, ‘I believe that corporations owe something to their community. A vibrant community attracts talent, so it’s to everyone’s advantage to have a vibrant community. That includes a strong cultural environment and a good education system.’ I share those beliefs and appreciate George’s efforts to give back to his community.”
The Governor added that Cornelius’ experience managing an international company and overseeing Arkema’s breakthrough developments in cutting edge products will help advance initiatives in two areas critical to the state’s economic success.
“Given George’s experience leading a multi-national organization and facilitating agreements in other countries, he’s a terrific fit to build upon our international trade efforts – increasing exports while attracting more cross-border investments to our state,” said the Governor. “DCED’s work has established Pennsylvania as a major player in the global marketplace with foreign companies investing approximately $484 million here over the past three years with plans to create 4,900 jobs.
“Additionally, I have been impressed by his drive to advance cutting edge research and technologies. George can help us push forward with our Energy Independence Strategy, which is essential to our nation’s effort to break its dependence on foreign oil and usher in a cleaner, greener economy.”
Arkema, a global diversified chemical company and France’s leading chemicals producer, consists of three strategically related businesses: vinyl products, industrial chemicals, and performance products. Arkema reports sales of 5.7 billion euros (nearly $7.4 billion). Arkema has 15,200 employees in more than 40 countries and six research centers located in France, the United States and Japan.
The company’s business segments serve a variety of industries, including agriculture, automotive, chemical, construction and water treatment industries. Arkema’s products are also used to produce electronics, hygiene and beauty products, paper goods and athletic apparel. Perhaps Arkema’s most well known product is Plexiglas®.
More recently, the company has made major breakthroughs in products that will help develop advanced fuel cells and nano technologies.
From Arkema’s U.S. headquarters in Philadelphia, Cornelius served as president and CEO of the company’s Americas division, where he oversaw seven business units, research and development activities in King of Prussia, 18 manufacturing sites, and commercial offices in the U.S., Brazil, Mexico and Canada. The Americas operation, with nearly 2,200 employees, was responsible for 25 percent of the global company’s total sales.
Cornelius previously served as the corporation’s vice president and general counsel before being named to the top U.S. position within the company. Prior to joining Arkema, he was a partner with Eckert, Seamans, Cherin & Mellot, a full service national law firm, headquartered in Pittsburgh.
Cornelius holds a juris doctorate from Dickinson School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from The Pennsylvania State University.
“As a life-long Pennsylvanian who has worked and been involved in businesses across the state, and who cares deeply about the future of this great commonwealth and its people, I am excited about the opportunity to help strengthen the state’s competitiveness and facilitate the generation of 21st century jobs,” said Cornelius. “Pennsylvania is well positioned to succeed in the hyper-competitive global marketplace, but it must be proactive if it is to be successful in preserving and attracting well-paying jobs.”
As DCED secretary, Cornelius will continue to implement the key components of Governor Rendell's economic stimulus package, which has leveraged nearly $3 billion in state resources to attract $8.6 billion in additional investments—far more than the state’s original projection of $5 billion. Combined, these resources are supporting 2,800 job-producing projects throughout the commonwealth.
During Governor Rendell’s administration, Pennsylvania’s gross domestic product has jumped more than 20 percent, growing from $423 billion in 2002 to $531 billion in 2007; and exports have nearly doubled from $15.8 billion to almost $30 billion. Venture capital investments in Pennsylvania have also skyrocketed from $458 million to $835 million during that same time period.
DCED has focused on helping existing Pennsylvania businesses expand and attract out-of-state businesses under Governor Rendell. The Governor’s Action Team has successfully completed nearly 1,100 projects with 115,385 committed new jobs and $13.8 billion of private investment since January 2003. Additionally Pennsylvania’s has emerged as a major player in the global marketplace through the Governor’s World Trade PA initiative with foreign companies investing $484 million here over the past three years with plans to create 4,900 jobs.
DCED is a more than 350-person agency with a nearly $900 million budget from state, federal and other funds.
Cornelius and his wife, Susan, reside in Chester County. They have two adult sons.
If confirmed by the Senate, Cornelius will succeed Dennis Yablonsky, who quit last fall after five years in the post to take a job in the private sector.
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