The Adhesive and Sealant Council (ASC) announced the induction of James J. Owens, president and CEO of the H.B. Fuller Co., into ASC’s Class of 2022 Hall of Fame. Owens also becomes the first-ever inductee. The ASC Hall of Fame honors outstanding individuals who, through their career in the adhesive and sealant industry, have made significant contributions to the betterment of the industry ASC represents.

Owens was named president and CEO of H.B. Fuller Co. in November 2010, where he led the company’s transformation and profitable growth in its targeted markets. He joined H.B. Fuller on September 2, 2008, as senior vice president of the Americas region. Prior to H.B. Fuller, Owens spent 22 years with National Adhesives, a division of ICI (Imperial Chemical Industries Limited), in a variety of management positions. These included corporate vice president and general manager of the North American adhesives business; division vice president and general manager, Europe; business director for the pressure sensitive and laminating adhesives business unit; marketing manager; and technical services manager. Owens also ran the North American adhesives business for Henkel after its acquisition of National Adhesives. Owens served eight years on the ASC board of directors, as chairman of the board and as treasurer. Thanks to his board leadership, Owens successfully guided the organization following the 2008-2009 economic recession.

“Jim Owens is a true visionary whose leadership strengthened ASC’s mission and financial position, placing ASC on a positive course once again for future growth,” said Bill Allmond, ASC president. “Jim began his board leadership during difficult economic times for the membership and the organization, but finished his service with ASC much stronger than he found it.”

Allmond continued, “Jim believed that ASC’s success rested on creating and driving core member value through all types and sizes of the membership. Beyond ASC, Jim has been a global ambassador for the North American adhesive industry, a powerful advocate for the essential role adhesives play as an innovative solution provider for customers. He epitomizes the very criteria of ASC’s Hall of Fame, and we are honored to recognize Jim for his substantial contributions to the betterment of the adhesives industry.”

Owens is a board member of Donaldson Co. Inc. and serves on the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Business board of overseers and its Executive Education advisory board. He is a board member of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), and also served on the Minnesota Super Bowl LII Host Committee. Owens holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Delaware and a master’s in business administration from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

For more information, visit: www.ascouncil.org.