Ingevity mourns passing of Chairman of the Board Rick Kelson

Ingevity Corporation (NYSE:NGVT) today announced that Richard B. Kelson, 74, chairman of the board of Ingevity, passed away on Saturday, February 13 in New York City. Kelson served as the company’s chairman since its spin-off from WestRock in May 2016.

“Rick’s experience, wisdom and warmth were critical to the formation and success of our company,” said John Fortson, president and CEO. “His fatherly guidance and counsel were hallmarks of his tenure with Ingevity. He was especially effective as our interim CEO, and the strength of his presence and leadership served the company greatly during this transition. He was truly an exceptional business leader, but more importantly, he was a gentle soul and a compassionate friend. On behalf of Ingevity’s board, management and employees, I express our deepest condolences to Rick’s wife, Ellen, and his family. Rick will be sorely missed.”

Kelson grew up in the southern suburbs of Pittsburgh. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Pennsylvania and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Pittsburgh. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserves. He spent more than 30 years with Alcoa, Inc., serving in senior management roles including positions in the company’s legal department and as executive vice president – Environment, Health and Safety and general counsel, and as a member of Alcoa’s Executive Council. He ultimately rose to become the company’s executive vice president and chief financial officer for nearly a decade. He retired from Alcoa in 2006 holding the position of chairman’s counsel. After his retirement, Kelson remained active in business and was chairman, president and chief executive officer of ServCo LLC since 2009. He also served as an operating advisor with Pegasus Capital Advisors, L.P. from 2006 to 2010. In addition to serving as chairman of the board of Ingevity, Kelson was a member of the board of directors of Commercial Metals Corporation, where he served as lead director from 2014 to 2019, and a member of the board of Ecovative Design LLC. He previously served on the boards of directors of PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (2002-2020), MeadWestvaco Corporation, formerly Westvaco (2001-2015), Anadigics, Inc. (2015-2016), and Lighting Science Group Corporation (2007-2010). He was a member of the Board of Trustees at Carnegie Mellon University from 2000 to 2006 and served on the board of the University of Pittsburgh Law School Board of Visitors since 2000. Kelson was a member of the Board of Directors for the non-profit KaBOOM, Inc. from 2008 until 2014, where he served as Chairperson of the Board for the majority of his term.