Alicha Hunt is the operations manager at Belle Chemical Company , overseeing production and ensuring the company is meeting its targets . She also manages safety and ensures maintenance work is completed . Most of the chemicals produced at the plant are used in municipal water treatment facilities , while others are used in the electronic and medical industries . Hunt is a native of Belle , WV , and studied at the West Virginia Institute of Technology .
For Hunt , the decision to study chemical engineering was simple — through her childhood , she thoroughly enjoyed science and chemistry . She began her career designing facilities in Kuwait , which led to the realization that she wanted to be on the ground in the plant and understand the manufacturing side instead of doing design work .
Shannon Huber is the site director for Dow ’ s West Virginia Operations ( WVO ), which includes the South Charleston site and plants in Institute , WV , and at the West Virginia Regional Technology Park .
“ Ultimately , my job is to ensure the Dow WVO team is successful by creating a culture where they can continue to be innovative and flexible to meet customer needs . Inclusion and sustainability must also be part of how we do work to ensure longevity of the site and the company , and we ’ re working hard to drive Dow ’ s environmental , social and governance goals , including being carbon neutral by 2050 ,” Huber says . “ Dow ’ s vision is to be the most innovative , customer-centric , inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world . West Virginia has a history of innovation in science and chemistry , and we want to foster an organization that continues that legacy .”
Dow ’ s products go into items we use every day , such as dish soap , cleaners , paint , car wax , makeup , deodorant and motor oil . The products also enable clean energy , eliminate food waste and replace lead pipes .
Barbara Buck is the vice president and plant manager at Covestro in South Charleston . She has been with the company for 29 years . Buck has the overall responsibility of ensuring the safe and efficient operation of the facility , as well as staffing , operations , maintenance , training and development , costs and corporate business and cultural objectives . Covestro produces standard and tailored polyurethanes , which are largely used in soft and rigid foam applications , including mattresses , furniture , car seat foam , wind turbine rotor blades and insulation . The chemicals also have applications in vehicle parts , electronic devices and medical applications .
A Greater Responsibility
Today ’ s culture demands greater moral and social responsibility from large corporations than ever before . The success of any company is driven by the well-being of its workers , which , in turn , is driven by the quality of the town where the workplace is located , including access to safe drinking water and air to breathe and the security of those resources .
As such , the chemical industry in West Virginia has developed initiatives to support the local community by funding scholarships , participating in community events and offering competitive benefits .
Rine cited the efforts by Chemours to offer progressive monetary , parental leave and other benefits to its employees to improve the balance of work and life . The company also offers scholarships for high school students pursuing STEM careers and puts a strong emphasis on community outreach .
“ One of the very cool things that our corporation offers is what we call the Future of Science and Chemistry Scholarships ,” Rine says . “ The scholarship amounts are meant to have a serious and significant impact on the recipients . They are not just college scholarships ; they are also available for technical trades .”
At Chemours , Newell has participated in a food and shoe drive with United Way , supplied food to front-line workers during the pandemic and assisted in American Red Cross blood drives and local cleanups along the Ohio River , where the company is located .
“ We definitely want to support activities there and help preserve the river and make it a beautiful place for people to play and enjoy with their families ,” Newell says .
Hunt says Belle Chemical Company will be starting an internship program in the summer of 2022 . The company also offers scholarships to local high school students who aspire to pursue a career in a STEM-related discipline .
Huber notes that Dow hires interns and co-ops at its West Virginia sites . At WVO , the company also has several employee resource groups focused on inclusion , including the Global African Affinity Network , programs for LGBTQ + inclusion , new hires and the Women ’ s Inclusion Network , to name a few . Additionally , professional development opportunities are also offered to employees .
“ I ’ ve found a company that shares my values and is willing to support me in challenging times , and I ’ ve been willing to make career changes that don ’ t necessarily follow the standard career path ,” Huber says . “ As a result , I love my job , and this inspires and motivates me in my own work and to help my team feel the same way about the work they do .”
Buck is looking forward to the challenge of meeting Covestro ’ s corporate sustainability goals , which are aligned with the United Nations ’ sustainability goals .
“ Circularity is a guiding principle at Covestro ,” Buck says . “ A circular economy is key to protecting the climate and the environment , as well as preserving limited resources .”
Covestro also offers internships and co-op internships to budding engineers , as well as professional development to its employees , including paying for continuing education related to their job .
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