About Us: Board of Directors
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Ilan Kaufthal
Chairman
READ MOREIlan Kaufthal has been Chairman of the Board since March 18, 2021, and a director of Tronox Holdings plc effective as of March 29, 2019, which was the effective date of the Redomicile Transaction. Mr. Kaufthal was appointed Lead Independent Director on March 28, 2019, and served in such capacity until his appointment as Chairman on an interim basis on December 27, 2020. Prior to the Re-Domicile Transaction, Mr. Kaufthal was Non-Executive Chairman of Tronox Limited from June 27, 2017, to March 28, 2019, was its Lead Independent Director from September 6, 2016, to June 27, 2017, a Director since June 15, 2012, and was a Director of Tronox Incorporated from February 2011 until June 15, 2012. He is Chairman of East Wind Advisors, a specialized investment banking firm serving companies in the media, education, and information industries. Mr. Kaufthal joined East Wind in 2010 as Chairman, bringing over 30 years of experience as an investment banker and senior corporate executive to the franchise. From 2008 until 2013, Mr. Kaufthal served as Senior Advisor for Irving Place Capital. Until 2008, Kaufthal was a Vice Chairman of Investment Banking at Bear, Stearns & Co and prior to joining Bear, Stearns in 2000, he served for 13 years as Vice Chairman and head of mergers and acquisitions of Schroders & Co. Preceding Schroders, he was with NL Industries and served as its Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Kaufthal is the Chairman of IDB Bank NY and serves on the Board of Directors of Macsteel Ltd. Mr. Kaufthal was formerly a director of Cambrex Corporation (NYSE: CBM), a supplier to the pharmaceutical industries, and formerly a director of Quinpario Acquisition Corp 2 (NASDAQ: QPACU), a special purpose acquisition company. He also serves on the Advisory Board of Jerusalem Venture Partners Media Fund and is a Trustee of the Russell Berrie Foundation. He is the Chairman of the Board of the American Friends of Bezalel and a member of the Board of Visitors at Columbia University Medical Center. Ilan holds an MBA from New York University and a BS from Columbia University. Mr. Kaufthal brings to the Board his financial, investment, business skills, and previous experience in the titanium dioxide business.
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John D. Romano
co-Chief Executive Officer
READ MOREMr. Romano currently serves as co-Chief Executive Officer and is a member of the Tronox Board. Previous roles include Executive Vice President, Chief Commercial and Strategy Officer, Senior Vice President and President of the Company’s Pigment and Electrolytic operations, as well as Executive Vice President of Tronox Incorporated. He has held a variety of senior sales and marketing leadership positions at Tronox and its predecessor companies dating back to 1988. Mr. Romano holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Oklahoma State University.
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Jean-François Turgeon
co-Chief Executive Officer
READ MOREMr. Turgeon currently serves as co-Chief Executive Officer and is a member of the Tronox Board. Mr. Turgeon previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. He joined Tronox in January 2014 to integrate the mineral sands and pigment business. In addition, he has accountability for integrated business planning, technology, supply chain and capital investment including mine development. Mr. Turgeon brings decades of leadership experience in the global titanium dioxide business. He joined Tronox from the Rio Tinto Group, where he served for more than 24 years, culminating in his position as Managing Director of its iron and titanium division. Mr. Turgeon holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Université Laval and a Master’s degree in Hydrometallurgy from McGill University.
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Peter Johnston
Director
READ MOREPeter Johnston has been a director since August 1, 2012. He served as Tronox’ s interim CEO from May 15, 2017, to November 30, 2017. He was appointed Global Head of Nickel Assets for Glencore in May 2013. He retired from Glencore in December 2015. Prior to this role he was Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Minara Resources Pty Ltd from 2001 to 2013. He was Vice Chairman of the Nickel Institute; past Chairman of the Minerals Council of Australia; past President of the Chamber of Minerals & Energy (WA); and past Vice President of the Australian Mines and Metals Association. Mr. Johnston also was a director of Silver Lake Resources Limited (ASK: SLR). He formerly was employed by WMC Ltd between 1993 and 2001, during which he held the position of Executive General Manager with responsibility over nickel and gold operations, Olympic Dam Operations, Queensland Fertilizers Ltd., and human resources. Mr. Johnston brings to the board extensive senior management, operating and leadership experience through his business career in the mining industry.
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Ginger Jones
Director
READ MOREGinger Jones has been a director of Tronox since April 2018. Ms. Jones served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Cooper Tire & Rubber Company beginning in December 2014 and was promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in February 2016. Ms. Jones retired from Cooper Tire & Rubber Company in December 2018, where she was responsible for Cooper’s financial operations, investor relations, business information systems and corporate strategic planning. Prior to joining Cooper, Ms. Jones served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Plexus Corp. from 2007 to 2014, and Vice President and Corporate Controller of Banta Corporation from 2002 to 2007. A certified public accountant, Ms. Jones began her career with Deloitte & Touche. Ms. Jones holds a Master of Business Administration from The Ohio State University and a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Utah. Ms. Jones is a board member of Nordson Corporation (NASDAQ:NDSN), an American multinational corporation that designs and manufactures dispensing equipment for consumer and industrial adhesives, sealants and coating, and currently serves on the audit committee. In addition, Ms. Jones is a board member and Chairperson of the audit committee of Holley Inc. (NYSE: HLLY), a leading designer, marketer, and manufacturer of high-performance products for car and truck enthusiasts. Ms. Jones brings to the Board her financial, accounting and auditing experience and her public company director experience.
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Sipho Nkosi
Director
READ MORESipho Nkosi has been a director of Tronox since June 2012. Mr. Nkosi is the independent non-executive chairman of Sasol Limited (NYSE:SSL), an integrated energy and chemical company based in South Africa, as well as chairman of its Nomination and Governance Committee and member of its Remuneration Committee. Mr. Nkosi is also the Lead Independent Director of Sanlam Limited, a diversified South African financial services group. Mr. Nkosi is also the Chairman of Talent10 Holdings, an investments holding company. Mr. Nkosi is also the former Chief Executive Officer of Exxaro Resources. He began his career as a market analyst with Ford Motor Company South Africa in 1980, after which he was appointed as marketing coordinator at Anglo American Coal in 1986. He joined Southern Life Association as senior manager, strategic planning in 1992 and the following year accepted the position of marketing manager, new business development at Trans-Natal Coal Corporation, which later became Ingwe Coal Corporation. Mr. Nkosi joined Asea Brown Boveri (South Africa) Ltd. in 1997 as Vice President Marketing and ABB Power Generation in 1998 as Managing Director. He was the founder and chief executive officer of Eyesizwe Holdings and following its merger with Kumba’s non-iron ore resources was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the renamed entity Exxaro Resources Limited in 2007. Mr. Nkosi holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Zululand, an Honors degree in Commerce (Economics) from the University of South Africa and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts in the United States. Mr. Nkosi brings to the board his experiences and skills in growing leading businesses, innovation and strategy, and leadership development.
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Vanessa Guthrie, AO
Director
READ MOREDr. Vanessa Guthrie has been a Director of Tronox Holdings plc since March 28, 2019. Dr. Guthrie is a highly accomplished executive and Board director with a career spanning 30 years in the resources sector across diverse roles in operations, environment, community and indigenous affairs, corporate development and sustainability. From 2013 to 2016, Dr. Guthrie was the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Toro Energy Limited, an Australian uranium mining company (ASX: TOE). In March 2019, Dr. Guthrie was appointed as an advisor to the Australian government’s Australia-India Council on the development of the economic relationship between Australia and India. Dr. Guthrie is also currently a non-executive Director of Santos Limited (ASX: STO) (“Santos”), one of the leading independent oil and gas producers in the Asia-Pacific region and is a member of Santos’s EHS and Sustainability Committee and People and Remuneration Committee, as well as is currently a non-executive Director of Lynas Rare Earths Limited (formerly Lynas Corporation Limited) (ASX: LYC, OTC: LYSDY), an Australian rare-earths mining company. In addition, Dr. Guthrie is Deputy Chair and Lead Independent Director of Adbri Limited (formerly Adelaide Brighton Ltd.) (ASX: ABC) (“Adbri”), one of Australia’s leading integrated construction materials and lime producers, and is a member of the Safety, Health and Environment committee and Chair of Adbri’s People and Culture committee. Dr. Guthrie is also a non-executive Director of Pro Chancellor of Curtin University where she is chair of the Finance Committee and non-executive Director of Cricket Australia. Dr. Guthrie was previously a non-executive Director of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Dr. Guthrie also served previously as Deputy Chair of the Western Australia Cricket Association. Dr. Guthrie has qualifications in geology, environment, law and business management, including a PhD in Geology, and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science from Curtin University in 2017 for her contribution to sustainability, innovation and policy leadership in the resources industry. Dr. Guthrie also became an Officer in the Order of Australia in 2021 for distinguished service to the minerals and resources sector, and as a role model for women in business.
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Stephen Jones
Director
READ MOREStephen Jones has been a Director of Tronox Holdings plc since March 28, 2019. From March 2015 through October 2020, Mr. Jones was President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Covanta Holding Corporation (formerly NYSE: CVA, now owned by private equity), a leading global provider of sustainable waste and energy solutions. Prior to joining Covanta in January 2015, Mr. Jones was employed from 1992 through September 2014 by Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (“Air Products”), a global supplier of industrial gases and equipment. Mr. Jones held a variety of senior-level management positions at Air Products including in the company’s tonnage gases, equipment, energy and industrial chemicals businesses, culminating with his role as Air Products’ China president based at the company’s office in Shanghai. Mr. Jones is also a member of the board of directors of Badger Infrastructure Solutions Ltd., a Canadian infrastructure solutions company specializing in nondestructive excavation services (TSE: BDGI). Mr. Jones also serves as a special advisor to the supervisory board of Hitachi Zosen Inova AG, a global cleantech company. Prior to joining Air Products in 1992, Mr. Jones practiced corporate law at Dechert LLP in Philadelphia, PA, primarily in the area of mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Jones earned a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in finance from Temple University and a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania. In addition, he participated in the INSEAD Advanced Management Program in Fontainebleau, France. Mr. Jones is also a director of the Bloomsburg University Foundation.
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Mutlaq H. Al-Morished
Director
READ MOREMutlaq H. Al-Morished has been a director of the Company since April 2019. Mr. Al-Morished is currently the Chief Executive Officer of National Industrialization Company (TASNEE), which is a 79% shareholder of Cristal and one of the largest Saudi diversified industrial companies having investments in several fields. Mr. Al-Morished is also the Chairman of the board of National Metal Manufacturing & Casting Co. (Saudi Stock Exchange: “Maadaniyah”) and currently serves as a board member of Aluminium Bahrain BSC (LSE: “ALBH”) and Alinma Bank (Saudi Stock Exchange: “ALINMA”). Mr. Al-Morished was previously a board member of the General Organization of Saudi Arabian airlines and Alinma Tokio Marine (Saudi Stock Exchange: “ALINMATO”). Mr. Al-Morished is also a board member of the Gulf Petrochemical & Chemical Association, a non-profit professional organization, and CITI Group in Saudi Arabia, a privately held company. Prior to joining TASNEE, Mr. Al-Morished was the Executive Vice President of Corporate Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) from 2004 through 2015. Mr. Al-Morished was also the Vice President of Metals SBU, Executive Vice President of Shared Services, and President of Saudi Petrochemical Company (SADAF) and Saudi Iron & Steel Com (HADEED), consecutively. Mr. Al-Morished previously served as Chairman of the Board of YANSAB, SABIC Capital in the Netherlands, SAUDI KAYAN, SABIC Captive Insurance Limited in the UK, and Alinma Investment Co. He was also a board member of Gulf Bank in Bahrain & the Advisory Board for Economic Affairs of the Supreme Economic Council of Saudi Arabia. Mr. Al-Morished holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Stanford University, a Master of Science degree in Nuclear Engineering from Princeton University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Nuclear Physics & Mathematics from the University of Denver. Mr. Al-Morished brings to the Board years of extensive senior management, business, and leadership experience in the TiO2 and other chemicals businesses.
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Moazzam A. Khan
Director
READ MOREMoazzam A. Khan has been a director of the Company since April 2019. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors of Tronox, Mr. Khan serves as the managing director of Cristal International Holdings B.V. Prior to joining Cristal, Mr. Khan worked for Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) for over twenty years and was the Chief Financial Officer of SABIC Capital B.V. from April 2009 to September 2015. At SABIC, Mr. Khan held various leadership roles in Finance, Treasury, Corporate Ratings, Mergers and Acquisitions, Corporate Integration and Restructurings, Taxation and SAP implementations. Prior to SABIC, Mr. Khan worked for KPMG in Saudi Arabia. Mr. Khan was the Chairman of the Board of SABIC Luxembourg S.à r.l., and the Managing Board of SABIC Capital B.V. as well as held directorship roles at SABIC International Holdings B.V., SABIC Ventures B.V., SABIC Ventures US Holdings LLC, JVSS Holding Company, Inc., SD Verwaltungs GmbH and Cristal International B.V. Mr. Khan is a fellow member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (FCA) and holds a degree in Economics as well as leadership and business accreditations from Wharton Business School.
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Dr. Talal Al-Shair
Director Emeritus
READ MOREDr. Talal Al-Shair has been a director emeritus of the Company since April 2019. Dr. Al-Shair is the founder of Cristal and was its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from 1988 to 2016. He is also the founder and Chairman of Shairco Ltd., (1979) which is involved in industrial development. Additionally, he is the Vice Chairman of TASNEE. Throughout Dr. Al-Shair’s career, he has initiated and developed various industrial projects. In addition to his Board positions at Cristal and TASNEE, Dr. Al-Shair also currently holds the following member/board positions: Chairman of AMAK Copper & Zinc Mining Co. in Najran; Chairman of Saudi Union; Director of Dahab; and Chairman of Midad. Prior to his current roles, Dr. Al-Shair was Chairman of the Yanbu Chamber of Commerce and Industry for four terms. He was also a former Member of the Madinah Region Council. Dr. Al-Shair holds a Ph.D. in International Business Administration from Kennedy – Western University – California, an MBA in Marketing and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Maine.