Formerra Appoints Tom Kelly as Chief Executive Officer

Seasoned executive with over 30 years of specialty and engineered materials experience to lead the company

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Formerra, LLC, a leading distributor of engineered thermoplastic resins, additives, elastomers, and other specialty materials, has announced the appointment of Tom Kelly as its new Chief Executive Officer. Kelly, a veteran with over 30 years of experience in the specialty and engineered materials sector, is known for driving differentiated growth and building high-performing organizations. The former CEO, Cathy Dodd, will remain with the company as a Special Advisor to the Board and an investor.

Why it matters

Formerra's appointment of Tom Kelly as CEO signals the company's commitment to accelerating its capabilities in new geographies and adjacent materials, building on its strong reputation as a technical selling organization that puts customers first. Kelly's extensive commercial, supply chain, and distribution experience in the engineered materials sector is expected to help Formerra strengthen its competitive position globally.

The details

Tom Kelly brings a strong blend of leadership, industry insight, and supply-chain expertise to his new role as CEO of Formerra. After previous roles at Cabot Microelectronics and Chemtura, Kelly's most recent position was as Senior Vice President of Engineered Materials at Celanese, where he led key commercial and operational initiatives across engineered polymers and specialty segments.

  • Formerra announced the appointment of Tom Kelly as CEO on March 4, 2026.

The players

Tom Kelly

The new Chief Executive Officer of Formerra, LLC, with over 30 years of experience in the specialty and engineered materials sector.

Cathy Dodd

The former CEO of Formerra, LLC, who will now serve as a Special Advisor to the Board and remain an investor in the company.

Formerra, LLC

A leading distributor of engineered thermoplastic resins, additives, elastomers, and other specialty materials, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio.

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What they’re saying

“Formerra has built a tremendous reputation as a technical selling organization and for putting customers first, supported by exceptional people and supplier partners in the engineered materials ecosystem. I'm excited about the opportunity to build on its strengths and accelerate capabilities in new geographies and adjacent materials. We will continue investing in our people, distribution network, and in our product line card to strengthen Formerra's competitive position globally.”

— Tom Kelly, Chief Executive Officer

The takeaway

Formerra's appointment of Tom Kelly as CEO underscores the company's commitment to driving growth and strengthening its competitive position in the engineered materials sector through strategic investments in its people, distribution network, and product offerings.