PPG names Kappas vice president, environment, health and safety

Officials from PPG Industries announced Sept. 8 that Diane Kappas has been appointed vice president, environment, health and safety, effective Oct. 1, reporting to Michael H. McGarry, senior vice president, Commodity Chemicals. Kappas will succeed John Richter, who has been named vice president, operations, coatings, Asia/Pacific, at PPG's China headquarters in Shanghai.

As vice president, EHS, Kappas will lead all aspects of PPG's global environmental affairs including product stewardship, health, safety, compliance assurance and the corporate medical function. She also will provide leadership for PPG's corporate sustainability programs.

"To this role, Diane brings extensive experience in PPG's manufacturing and commercial operations, including broad exposure to many EHS programs and concepts," McGarry said. "In addition, Diane's background will serve the company well as we continue to develop our sustainability programs and grow our businesses around the world."

Kappas joined PPG in 1986 as an engineer trainee in industrial coatings. She progressed through a series of coatings manufacturing roles at PPG sites in Springdale, Pa., Oak Creek, Wis., Dover, Del., and East Point, Ga. In 1998, Kappas was named manager, corporate diversity, and in 2001, she became plant manager of the Barberton, Ohio, specialty chemicals facility. In 2004, she became director, supply chain, automotive replacement glass and North America refinish, and in 2007, she assumed her current assignment as business director, Teslin products, in the silicas business.