John A. Sofranko

John Sofranko has been the Executive Director of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, AIChE, since 2001.  During this time the staff operations of AIChE were totally restructured including the implementation of commercial partnerships for technical publications and educational programs.  These changes have yielded over $5 million a year of improved P&L for AIChE.  During this time he also helped start up new strategic initiatives in the areas of biological engineering, sustainable development and nanotechnology. In addition, he helped to facilitate new cooperative programs with the DOE, EPA, OSHA and other government and non-government entities for the benefit of the chemical engineering profession and society.

John received his bachelor of science in chemistry from the University of Delaware in 1975, and his Ph.D. in organic and inorganic chemistry from the University of Rochester in 1979. Sofranko worked for ARCO Chemical Company, and its purchaser, Lyondell Chemical Company, from 1979 to 2000.

 He began his tenure at ARCO in R&D, where he was awarded over 60 US patents and 12 reviewed publications on the development of new chemical processes with an emphasis in fuels and chemical production from natural gas. Promoted to Manager, Product Research and Development in 1990, Sofranko was responsible for all technical aspects within the specialty chemicals division, and worked to develop unique products in the polyurethane and styrenics industries.

John assumed the position of Director of Corporate Planning in 1991, where he led a corporate-wide re-design to a market focused business plan for ARCO Chemical Company. Appointed to Business Director, Styrenics in 1993, John worked to develop strategic plans for globalization, and to increase ARCO’s international presence of this $1 billion/yr business. He was appointed Director of Strategic Growth Programs in 1997, where he was responsible for all merger and acquisitions, licensing, and technology partnerships.

From 1998 to 2000, John served as Chief Technical Officer at Lyondell Chemical Company. He was responsible for the post-merger consolidation of the technology functions of ARCO Chemical and Lyondell Chemical Companies.  John will retire as executive director of AIChE in January of 2009.  Pictured with John is John (Jack) C. Jubin who was John’s most important mentor to the field of chemical engineering.  John’s donation as an AIChE Centennial Sustainer was made in honor of Jack’s contribution to the profession and Jack’s tireless patience in helping along all his “students”.