The Chemistry Council of New Jersey announced Oct. 29 the election of four new members to its board of trustees, bringing the total number of board members to 20.
The newly elected trustees represent a cross-section of New Jersey’s chemistry and manufacturing community and reflect the council’s commitment to ensuring strong, diverse leadership that advances its advocacy and policy priorities.
The four newly elected board members are:
- Alexia Johnson, executive director, R&D facilities, Merck & Co., Rahway
- Zach Kuehne, president and CEO, Kuehne Chemical, Kearny
- Heather J. Lasell, site manager, LyondellBasell, Edison
- Heather J. Uhlmann, plant leader, DuPont, Pennsauken
“During my tenure as chair, I have made it a priority to expand our board representation to better reflect the scope and diversity of our member companies,” said Grant Hutchings, chair of the CCNJ Board of Trustees and Head of Supply Chain – Americas at Infineum USA L.P. “The leaders elected today bring with them an incredible range of experience, vision, and management expertise that will strengthen our organization and help advance the interests of the business of chemistry in New Jersey.”
Board members play a vital role in shaping CCNJ’s advocacy priorities and providing strategic direction on issues impacting the chemical industry at the state and regional levels. This latest expansion marks the first time in recent years that CCNJ has welcomed a significant number of new members, with six new trustees joining the board in 2025.
Johnson has more than 19 years of experience in facilities and operations management, leading high-performing teams and managing complex budgets and compliance systems for technical and commercial facilities.
Kuehne represents the third generation of leadership at the family-owned company. Under his leadership, Kuehne Chemical continues to expand its vertically integrated chlor-alkali operations across the Mid-Atlantic region.
Lasell brings extensive experience in chemical engineering and operations management, with previous leadership roles at Sasol North America and Huntsman LLC.
Uhlmann leads initiatives in environmental, health and safety, operational excellence and continuous improvement. She is also active in STEM advocacy and outreach through her leadership in engineering and professional development organizations.
