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KINGSPORT – Eastman Chemical Company (NYSE:EMN) has announced leadership changes in its global manufacturing organization to strengthen alignment with the company’s circular economy growth strategy.

Effective January 1, 2025, Steve Crawford is being named Executive Vice President, Methanolysis Operations and Engineering & Construction Transformation. In this role, Steve will continue to be responsible for overseeing the methanolysis operations in Kingsport. He will also lead the effort to strengthen Eastman’s engineering processes and disciplines and continue to build capabilities for large projects as the company moves forward with its circular strategy.

“The company has made incredible strides progressing our circular strategy with the opening of the Kingsport methanolysis facility,” said Board Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Mark Costa. “It is critical that we solidify the gains that we have made and that we leverage the learnings from the startup of the Kingsport plant as we move forward with the construction of our Longview, Texas, facility. With his extensive experience in both manufacturing and technology, Steve is uniquely suited to execute these critical leadership responsibilities.”

In addition to his current leadership of the company’s Additives & Functional Products (AFP) and global health, safety and environment, Travis Smith will assume global manufacturing and worldwide engineering and construction responsibilities as Executive Vice President, AFP and Operating Functions.

Michelle Caveness will assume the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Manufacturing Officer and join the company’s Executive Team. Brian Long, who is currently serving as Vice President, Global Health, Safety and Environment, will assume Caveness’s current position of Vice President, Tennessee Operations Site Leader.

“We are fortunate to have such strong leaders heading our global manufacturing operations. World-class operations are a hallmark of Eastman, and each of these leaders will continue to drive operational excellence across our global manufacturing facilities,” added Costa. “Our deep bench of talent and experience positions us well to continue to evolve our global operations and advance our circular economy growth strategy.”