Covestro LLC said it appointed entrepreneur Currie Crookston to the newly created position of head of innovation management.

Crookston will be responsible for driving global innovation strategy in North America, primarily by assisting the company’s three business units in creating new opportunities beyond their core R&D efforts, according to Alicia Sox, External Communications manager.

Crookston began his career as a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy SEALs before becoming an associate at A.T. Kearney.

He’s launched businesses – PetsDx, Allegheny Development Partners and Riverfront 47 – and developed several patents, per Sox.

Crookston received an MBA from the University of Virginia.  

“Currie’s unique background not only demonstrates a strong passion for innovation, but a personal drive for success – a combination that will serve him well in this role,” said Jerry MacCleary, president of Covestro LLC. “As Covestro strengthens its focus on cultivating innovation and building an entrepreneurial culture, I’m confident we have the right person leading this effort in North America.”

Recently, Covestro said it launched a global initiative, called the Start-up Challenge, which Crookston helped to champion in North America. This internal competition encourages Covestro employees to submit innovative ideas and collaborate with others to fully develop their projects, according to Sox. One winning team will receive funding to take its idea from concept to reality, Sox said.

Covestro also said it partnered with the United Nations Environment Program to launch Young Champions of the Earth.

“These investments signal a company that is serious about innovation,” said Crookston. “That’s what drew me to Covestro. What will keep me here is the energy and excitement surrounding innovation. I’m looking forward to using my skills and experience to help capitalize on that excitement and, ultimately, grow the business in new and different ways.”




Photo courtesy Covestro