Gretchen L . Roos
Assistant General Counsel of Global Ethics and Compliance , PPG
Photo by Robin DeNoma .
JEAN HARDIMAN
AS GRETCHEN ROOS was finishing up high school in Pittsburgh and deciding where to attend college , her parents gave her one guideline . They drew a circle with a 90-mile radius around Pittsburgh and told her to choose a college within that circle .
She chose West Virginia University ( WVU ) for her undergraduate degree and , after taking an inspiring class in constitutional law , decided to attend WVU College of Law as well . There , she gained the foundation for a law career in which she now counsels colleagues around the globe .
Roos serves as assistant general counsel of global ethics and compliance for PPG , a global manufacturer of paints , stains and coatings , based in Pittsburgh .
“ We have over 50,000 employees in 59 countries , which presents a variety of ethics and compliance challenges ,” Roos says . “ I love the job because it is endlessly fascinating and never the same day to day . The ethical and compliance
issues presented by the range of cultures , businesses and employees are unique and intellectually challenging . It provides an opportunity to both make a difference in individual lives and impact the culture of the company .”
For Roos , it was a winding journey to the field of law . As a child , she saw herself as a teacher . In high school , she considered social work . After earning her undergraduate degree at WVU and spending the following year working for the City of Morgantown , Roos started law school , which was certainly a different experience .
“ At the outset , what was most challenging was the fact that your entire grade for the semester was based almost exclusively on your final exam ,” she says . “ That was a major change from undergrad , and the stress level going into the first semester finals was significant . It was a challenge to balance all the reading and work required for class with a job I had for the city attorney ’ s office . On the plus side , I met my future husband in our first class on the first day of law school .”
While she knew the study of law would be interesting , Roos hadn ’ t given much thought to what area of practice she ’ d follow upon graduation . When she graduated from the WVU College of Law in 1987 , she started her career in litigation at a large firm .
“ While I enjoyed it , I didn ’ t see a sustainable career as a trial lawyer ,” she recalls . “ When an opportunity came to go in-house , I was attracted to both the consistency of the hours , even if still long , and the collaboration that would come with working on behalf of a single client .”
Roos has had a variety of jobs at PPG — litigation , commercial attorney , e-discovery counsel and now assistant general counsel of global ethics and compliance .
“ I ’ ve learned from all of them — principally how to construct defensible positions and support them succinctly ,” she says .
At PPG , Roos also serves as one of the diversity , equity and inclusion ambassadors for the company . She ’ s also co-chair of its intellectual property security committee .
Finding the balance between work and parenting was a challenge after the births of her three children , but she managed by going to a four-day work week .
“ At the time , I was told that I was the most senior person in the company with a part-time schedule ,” she says . “ It was not easy as any reduced schedule was uncommon — and not necessarily embraced — at the time , but we had a great general counsel at the company who was very supportive , which was extremely helpful . I managed that for 18 years , when my youngest was finishing middle school , and am forever appreciative that he was willing to support me .”
It ’ s been a rewarding career , especially knowing the potential positive impact she can make on someone ’ s life .
“ Ethical misconduct that is not timely
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE