Mike Finelli has 30 years experience in the chemical industry, he has held senior leadership positions with Solvay since he joined the company through its acquisition of Ausimont in 2002. In March 2021, Solvay announced Mike was promoted to the role of chief North America officer and President of Solvay Growth Initiatives.
In his new dual role, he manages Solvay's operations in the U.S. and Canada and will lead all aspects globally of Solvay’s strategic growth platforms: Batteries, Hydrogen, Thermoplastic Composites and Biotechnologies.
Solvay forecasts that these initiatives will grow to nearly €3 billion in sales by 2030. Mike is now leading our path forward in these growth initiatives, including overseeing commercial activities, operations, capital planning, partnerships, alliances and research and development activities across all Global Business Units.
Mike is also driving Solvay’s executive key account management initiative where Solvay will work more closely with our top strategic customers to better leverage Solvay’s full portfolio of technologies. These top accounts represent approximately 30% of the Group’s growth in the next 5 years. In his new role, Mike is reporting directly to Solvay’s CEO, Ilham Kadri, and serves on Solvay’s Operational Leadership Team accountable to run respective businesses, deepen customer relationships, execute our growth strategy and deliver on our sustainability commitments. Mike is a member of the Executive Board of Directors of the American Chemistry Council and a member of the Advisory Board for the Future of Stem Scholars Initiative (FOSSI). Mike is based at our North American hub in Alpharetta, GA.
Previously, for the last 3 years, Mike was President of Solvay’s Specialty Polymers global business, part of Solvay’s €4.5 billion Advanced Materials segment. Mike, stationed in Milan, Italy, oversaw the marketing, development and operational activities of over 50 product lines with more than 1,500 fluoropolymer and aromatic polymer formulations serving a wide range of markets such as Automotive, Consumer & Construction, Healthcare, Electrical & Electronics, and Industrial & Environment. Solvay’s Specialty Polymers business encompasses 3,600 employees and 14 plants around the world. Prior to leading our Specialty Polymers business, Mike was on the Specialty Polymers leadership team in the role of Business Director.
Mike has over 15 years of executive leadership and management experience in the chemicals sector overseeing all facets of our key global business, including sales, marketing, R&I, business development, strategic road maps, major investments and product development. Mike has led several successful major projects for Solvay positioning the company for expansion and breakout revenue growth, including two stints living abroad. Mike earned a dual degree in Biology and Marketing from Albright College (1993) and his MBA from Rutgers University (2000).