Covestro LLC announced that Aleta Richards will succeed Christine Bryant as head of commercial operations for its North American Coatings, Adhesives and Specialties (CAS) business, effective Feb. 1, 2018. Richards’ appointment follows a recent communication in which Bryant was named the new head of Polyurethanes in North America, effective the same date.
In her new role, Richards will join the Covestro North American Leadership Team.
Having started her career at Covestro (then part of Bayer) in 1990, Richards is well acquainted with the organization and brings to the role more than 20 years’ experience in marketing, sales, human resources and general management. She has held various leadership positions throughout the company, including time spent in the North American CAS group, where she led global key account sales and strategic marketing for four years. Richards also served as head of the Bayer U.S. HR organization, which provided HR administrative services for roughly 14,000 Bayer employees.
Currently, Richards serves as head of regional product management for the North American Polycarbonates business.
“I’m looking forward to taking on a greater leadership role and rejoining my friends and colleagues in CAS,” said Richards. “This is an exciting time to be at Covestro, where the increased focus on innovation and sustainability is taking our global business in a bold, new direction. I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead a team that is at the forefront of this movement regionally.”
While her business responsibilities will change, Richards plans to continue in her leadership capacity as executive sponsor of the Covestro ACCESS employee resource group, an internal network for African American employees. She also co-hosts a book chat for female colleagues.
A Pittsburgh native, Richards received both her bachelor’s degree and M.B.A. in marketing and international business from the University of Pittsburgh.