Emerald Specialties Group, a business group of Emerald Performance Materials, appointed Tommy Ackerman as senior sales representative for FOAM BLAST defoamers, Masil silicones and Hilton Davis pigment dispersions, in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. In this role, Ackerman will be responsible for garnering new sales and developing and maintaining customer relationships

Ackerman has more than 30 years of experience in specialty materials with a special focus on paints and coatings, a key segment for Emerald’s colors, silicones and industrial foam control products. Prior to joining Emerald, Ackerman served as strategic accounts region manager at IFS Coatings, and he also previously worked in a variety of sales and market development roles with Valspar, DuPont Powder Coatings, Sherwin-Williams and Porter International. He earned a B.B.A. in marketing from the University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY.

“Tommy has a comprehensive understanding of the coatings market, including the technologies, trends and drivers that contribute to its growth. He also has experience with a variety of pertinent industrial end uses, such as adhesives, graphic arts and construction, which gives him the insight to anticipate many formulators’ needs as they evolve,” said James Davis, commercial vice president  for Emerald Specialties Group. “This background makes him an asset to our strategic growth.”

Emerald Specialties Group will feature the latest developments in FOAM BLAST defoamers, Masil silicones and Hilton Davis pigment dispersions at the American Coatings Show in Indianapolis, booth 2755, April 12–14. The products are available globally and produced at Emerald’s ISO-certified facilities in Charlotte, N.C. and Cincinnati, Ohio.