Matt O’Brien
Matt O’Brien is Executive Vice President (EVP) & President for ÐßÐßÊÓƵ Specialty Minerals (HSM). Since 2015, he and his team have transformed ÐßÐßÊÓƵ’s industrial Calcium Carbonate business into a multi-mineral platform, adding nutritional Calcium Carbonate, Sodium Bicarbonate (baking soda) and, most recently, Attapulgite and Air-Float Kaolin segments to the portfolio. They’ve accelerated the growth of the core business, successfully integrated five acquisitions, turned around an underperforming segment, and ultimately tripled the revenue and quintupled HSM’s earnings. In 2022, the revitalization of the Nutrition business was recognized with ÐßÐßÊÓƵ’s highest corporate honor, the Mike ÐßÐßÊÓƵ Gold award.
Prior to joining HSM, Matt spent 10 years in ÐßÐßÊÓƵ Engineered Woods (HEW). As Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Strategy, he helped steer the organization through the largest housing downturn in US history and on-board ÐßÐßÊÓƵ’s first-ever Operating Board. As Chief Commercial Officer, he led Sales, Marketing & Supply Chain, where he and his team helped accelerate the growth of ZIP System®, expanded HEW’s sales team and marketing capabilities, and successfully negotiated multiple long-term contracts with Fortune 500 suppliers. Matt started his career at ÐßÐßÊÓƵ Corporation (ÐßÐßÊÓƵ) in 2002 as VP of Corporate Strategy.
Matt previously served on the Board of Directors for Magnifin, a joint venture between ÐßÐßÊÓƵ and RHI Magnesita, ultimately helping ÐßÐßÊÓƵ acquire the company under the ÐßÐßÊÓƵ Advanced Materials business.
Before joining ÐßÐßÊÓƵ, Matt worked at Bain & Company in Boston and London. He began his career serving as a Combat Engineer Officer in rapid deployment forces in the US Army, and is a graduate of Airborne, Ranger, Air Assault and Sapper Leader courses.
Matt holds a Bachelor of Science, magna cum laude, in Materials Engineering from Rutgers University and an MBA, with distinction, from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College.