IBS Team Biographical Profiles
Scott Young – Global Director, Energy Efficiency Portfolio
Scott Young is the global director for the Energy Efficiency portfolio. In this role, Young is responsible for the global marketing strategy and direction within Dow Building Solutions across market segments, products and solutions. Young assesses the large and growing need for energy efficiency materials and systems to identify growth opportunities, while enhancing the value of Dow's existing franchise.
Young joined Dow Canada in 1989 as a commercial development representative in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He received the Pinnacle Award for Sales Excellence in 1995, and in 1996, relocated to Midland, Mich. as the market research manager for Building Materials, North America. In 1998, he assumed responsibility as market development manager, and was later named North American market manager for Dow's North American Residential Building Insulation business in January 2001.
John Hammer – Residential Market Manager, North America
John Hammer is the residential market manager for Dow Building Solutions, North America. Hammer also oversees the Agricultural insulation and Marine applications group. In this role, Hammer is responsible for profitability and growth, including the development and implementation of marketing strategies that address enhanced profit and value growth primarily for extruded polystyrene and polyisocyanurate foam insulation. Hammer previously worked as the market development manager in the Specialty Plastics & Elastomers business at Dow. Prior to this, Hammer spent 10 years in various sales management, market development and business development leadership roles for a privately-held company with extensive experience in Latin America.
Karel Williams – Senior Market Manager, North America
Karel Williams is the senior market manager for the North American Building Solutions group of The Dow Chemical Company, and is responsible for business and marketing strategies for Dow's WEATHERMATE™ weatherization platform including: housewraps, membranes, flashings, and pans; Dow's polyurethane foam sealants and adhesives; and Dow's STYROFOAM™ Spray Polyurethane Insulation into Residential Construction.
Williams began his tenure with Dow in June of 1999 in the Commercial Development Program. In 2000, Williams was assigned his first field sales position in Atlanta Metro as a seller for STYROFOAM™ brand products, where he also ran a successful test market for a new development product. In January of 2002, Williams relocated to Chicago Metro where he served as senior account manager for STYROFOAM™ brand residential products. In February of 2005, Williams relocated to Midland, Mich. where he is serving in his current role.
Jim Gurnee – North America New Business Development Leader
Jim Gurnee is the new business development leader for Dow Building Solutions, North America. He is also project leader for STYROFOAM SIS™. Gurnee joined Dow in 1981, in the Dowell division. In 1984, he was named sales representative for STYROFOAM™ brand products in the Richmond, Va. sales office. In 1990, he relocated to Midland, Mich. and was named credit manager for the Plastics for Packaging Industry Group. In 1993, he was named marketing manager for the U.S. residing and IRMA roofing markets. In 1994, he was named North America market manager for the commercial and low temperature market segments of Dow Building Materials. In 1998, he was named senior marketing manager for the U.S. residential market in Building Materials. In 2000, he moved to the Polyurethanes business as the global business development manager. In 2002, he became the global marketing specialist for Information Systems. And in 2004, Gurnee moved into Dow Building Solutions, New Business Development as the North America development leader.
Jan McKinnon – Senior Communications Manager, North America
Jan McKinnon is a senior communications manager for Dow Building Solutions, North America. McKinnon is responsible for building brand equity and leading marketing communications activities for the North American residential construction and residing (remodeling and non-new construction), weather barrier solutions and new business development markets. McKinnon manages and integrates all communications disciplines, such as collateral development, advertising, public relations, trade show and conference participation, programs and communications planning. McKinnon joined Dow in 1989 and has held positions in public affairs as Canadian communications representative and as Internet content technician for Dow Building Solutions, North America.
