Ricardo J. Arias Trade Development Manager Port Houston

Ricardo Arias has been an integral part of Port Houston’s Commercial Division since April 2003, taking on the role of Trade Development Manager in 2005. In this role, Mr. Arias oversees business development efforts across the U.S. Midwest and Latin America, while actively promoting Port Houston’s capabilities in handling resins, chemicals, steel products, project cargo, perishables, and coffee. His work focuses on driving both national and international trade, fostering economic growth by raising awareness within the public and maritime sectors about Port Houston’s world-class services. Arias earned his bachelor’s degrees in business administration and marketing from Houston Baptist University, in 1995. Since then, he has built a distinguished career in international transportation and logistics. Throughout his career, Mr. Arias has held leadership roles in business development and operations management, specializing in trucking, third-party logistics, freight forwarding, and steamship companies, with a particular focus on Latin American markets.

Kate Bailey Chief Policy Officer Association of Plastic Recyclers

Kate Bailey is the Chief Policy Officer for the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), the only North American organization focused exclusively on improving the recycling of plastics. Kate leads APR’s advocacy at the state, national, and global levels to pass legislation to improve plastics recycling. She has 20 years of experience in recycling operations and policy development, and has passed several leading policies such as Colorado’s EPR for Packaging program in 2022. She is based in Colorado.

Brian Kimberley Vice President, Marketing, and Licensing & Services W.R. Grace & Co.

Brian is Vice President,  Marketing and Licensing & Services, within the Specialty Catalysts business unit of W. R. Grace & Co. In this role he is responsible for the UNIPOL® PP licensing and services business.  Prior to this role Brian served as Commercial Director for Specialty Catalysts and was responsible for the catalyst business across Europe, Middle East and Africa. Brian has more than 25 years’ experience within the petrochemical industry working for BP then INEOS prior to joining Grace in 2015.  Brian has broad experience across a variety of leadership roles in R&D, catalyst manufacturing, technology licensing, global sales, technical service, business development and management. Brian graduated with a B.Sc. in Chemistry from the University of Warwick and holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Imperial College, London.  After working in several European locations Brian recently moved and is now based in Grace’s headquarters in Maryland, USA. He has filled more than 50 patents and has published over 15 scientific articles.

Leonardo Mancilla Executive Director, Polyolefins Americas Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Leonardo Mancilla is an Executive Director of Polyolefins Americas with the Polyolefins group at Chemical Market Analytics. Leonardo Mancilla is a member of the Americas Polyolefins Team and the executive director for polyolefins in North and South America. He has been involved with Chemical Market Analytics for the last ten years and has conducted petrochemical market research in Latin America since 2011. He supports the team with his extensive petrochemical industry background and thorough understanding of all the phases of plastics production, from oil and gas to finished resins. He also provides expertise on supply chain, logistics, and supply chain issues. In his current role, Leonardo is responsible for the daily follow-up of the polyethylene and polypropylene markets in the Western Hemisphere. He contributes insights and analysis to all Global Plastics and Polymers Report issues. He is also primarily responsible for the regular updates of Latin American balances published in the World Analysis. In addition, Leonardo stays connected with our clients through regular talks and market updates on the North and Latin American polyolefins markets. Before starting to work in market research and consulting, Leonardo worked for petrochemical producers like the state petrochemical company Pequiven in Venezuela and The Dow Chemical Company. He brings his team fundamental experience in manufacturing, supply chain management, and business planning. He also has experience in maritime logistics and shipping as an Operations Manager for companies managing isotank fleets like ITT (Intermodal Tank Transport) and Flexitank. Leonardo holds a Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering from Texas A&M University in Kingsville, TX.

Joel Morales Vice President, Polyolefins Americas Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Joel Morales is the Vice President of Polyolefins Americas at Chemical Market Analytics. Joel joined the company in March 2013 to cover Polyethylene (PE) and Polypropylene (PP) in North America. He began his career in 1999 with polyolefins manufacturer Solvay Polymers, which later became Ineos, in technical services and product development before he moved into field sales. After five years at Solvay Polymers, Joel moved into resin distribution sales for both Muehlstein and then United Polychem as a Product Manager, where he managed and sold polyethylene and polypropylene resins into various customer segments. In his most recent role before joining Chemical Market Analytics (CMA), Joel was a purchasing manager for Silgan Plastics, a major blow-molding and injection molding plastics converter. He has brought a wealth of industry knowledge to Chemical Market Analytics through multiple stints along the plastics value chain. Joel works closely within the Americas with resin producers, converters, and third parties covering the polyolefin markets. Joel speaks regularly around the world as a polyolefin market expert. He is the service leader of three market advisory subscription services: The Global Plastics and Polymers Report, the North American PE Report and the North American PP Report. Joel graduated from The Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and a minor in psychology. — —  

Greg Mulholland CEO & Co-Founder Citrine Informatics

Gregory Mulholland is the founder and CEO of Citrine Informatics, the first artificial intelligence platform enabling the faster development and deployment of the next generation of materials and chemicals. He is an internationally recognized leader in both materials technology and digital transformation and has led Citrine to work with some of the world’s largest and most innovative materials and chemicals companies to create greener, less expensive, more performant products. He has been honored as a Technology Pioneer at the World Economic Forum, won the Start Up and Scale Up challenges at the World Materials Forum, and been awarded over a dozen other start-up and business awards.

Anthony Palmer Vice President, Global Circular Plastic Sustainability Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Anthony J. Palmer is Vice President of Chemical Market Analytics (by OPIS, a Dow Jones Company). Mr. Palmer is responsible for the Circular Plastics and Chemicals Sustainability business for the Base Chemicals and Plastics group. In this role, he coordinates the Research and Insight activities associated with carbon emissions and plastics reuse, reduction, and recycling. Special focuses include mechanical and chemical recycling technology and economics, plastic waste supply and logistics, company ESG initiatives and strategic responses to sustainability, and macroindustry implications. Before his current position, Mr. Palmer managed the Chemical Consulting Group at IHS Markit, where he directed engagements for clients interested in the business, technical, and financial aspects of the energy, chemicals, and related process industries. His areas of interest included strategic business management, financial and acquisition analysis, technology assessment, capital project planning, manufacturing strategy, international project development, expert witness/litigation support, and material supply strategy. Mr. Palmer’s consulting activities focused on helping companies plan and implement business and corporate development programs worldwide. In addition to his current activities, Mr. Palmer is an adjunct professor of management at Connecticut State University’s Ancell School of Business Administration, where he teaches courses in strategic management. Mr. Palmer was a founding director at CPI Consulting Associates, whose operations were merged into Chemical Market Associates (CMAI). In 2011, IHS Markit acquired CMAI and formed IHS Chemical. Previously, Mr. Palmer was a Chem Systems (Nexant) principal and started his career at Exxon Corporation. He holds both bachelor's and master's degrees in chemical engineering from Manhattan College and an MBA in finance and international business from Fordham University.

Adam Peer Lead, Plastics Sustainability Team American Chemistry Council (ACC)

Adam Peer leads the Plastics Sustainability Team at the American Chemistry Council, advocating for policies that enhance the sustainability and circularity of plastic products and packaging. He previously led legislative and regulatory efforts for the physician assistant profession and helped enact professional employer organization legislation in 11 states. Peer has advised key leaders of the Wisconsin assembly and was elected as the youngest member of the county board, where he chaired the public safety and justice committee. He holds an accounting degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is pursuing a master's in sustainability at Harvard University extension.

Zack Patterson Americas Market Development Manager - Polypropylene, Vistamaxx and Exact(PVE) ExxonMobil Product Solutions Company

Zack Patterson is the Americas Market Development Manager of the Polypropylene, Vistamaxx and Exact (PVE) global business unit at ExxonMobil Product Solutions Company, located in Spring, Texas. He is responsible for developing and executing strategies supporting high-value performance polymers while interfacing with value chain partners in meeting their commercial and sustainability goals. Prior to his current role, Zack has served as a Senior Account Manager supporting the automotive, appliance, and hygiene industries within PVE, as well as a Global Market Developer in the Hydrocarbon Fluids business supporting the launch of the Mobil EV™ suite of products. Zack received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the Ohio State University with a minor in Business Administration in 2007.  After college, Zack accepted a position with ExxonMobil in Customer Technical Support at the Akron, Ohio office. Over the course of his career, he has served in a wide variety of roles in sales, manufacturing, technology, and marketing across the ExxonMobil Product Solutions Company.  

Alexandra Tennant Director, Global Recycled Plastics Service Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Alexandra Tennant is the Director, Global Recycled Plastics Service at Chemical Market Analytics (by OPIS, a Dow Jones Company) and is responsible for content regarding market dynamics for recycled plastics within the Base Chemicals & Plastics group. As service lead for the Global Recycled Plastics Service, Alexandra monitors momentum across the recycled plastics value chain in areas such as supply, demand, pricing, regulations, and brand strategies. Ms. Tennant joined Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS in 2025 and brings over 15 years of experience across the energy and chemicals industry and is recognized for her expertise in recycled plastics and PET/RPET markets. She has held positions in finance and consulting including ExxonMobil, Wood Mackenzie, and most recently McKinsey & Co. Alexandra graduated Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude from Vanderbilt University with dual degrees in Economics and the History of Art; she later earned her MBA from the School of Management at Yale University.

Jeremy Wallach Partner Mckinsey & Partners

Jeremy Wallach is a partner in McKinsey’s Boston office in the Chemicals Practice. He is a leader in McKinsey’s work on chemicals sustainability, including circularity and decarbonization, and helps lead the firm’s chemical insights microeconomics group. He has more than 20 years of experience advising management teams across regions on topics linked to strategy, growth, M&A, and sustainability. Jeremy leads the firm’s work on plastic recycling in North America, including helping clients build businesses and evaluate opportunities in sustainable polymers. In particular, he has extensive experience in plastic circularity and chemicals sustainability. He has published perspectives and led speaking engagements in these areas in addition to providing client support on market demand, economics, feedstock availability, green premiums, system-level scaling opportunities, steps to reduce leakage into the environment, and carbon impact.

Robin Waters Executive Director, Circular Plastics & Chemicals Sustainability Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Robin Waters is the Executive Director of Chemical Market Analytics. Robin is responsible for content development for the Circular Plastics business for the Base Chemicals & Plastics group. In this role, Mr. Waters manages the Research & Insight for the Circular Plastics Service, which covers the dynamics and implications of the plastics transition from a linear to a circular economy. His responsibilities cover a broad spectrum of the circular plastics value chain, including regulations and policies, mechanical- and chemical-recycle technology and economics, plastic waste supply and disposition, price and margin projections, strategic responses to sustainability, evaluation of new business models and macro-industry implications. He also serves as a subject matter expert for other market advisory services, single-client projects, and polyolefins and plastics sustainability studies. Mr. Waters joined Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS on June 1, 2022, following the acquisition of IHS Markit Base Chemicals, having joined IHS Markit in September 2012 as Director of Polyolefins North America. He brings over 30 years of industry experience with DuPont and LyondellBasell in various commercial management roles in the polyolefins, specialty polymers and plastic films industries. Robin received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Georgia and an MBA from the University of Miami.