Jeffrey Politis
Jeffrey Politis is a global technology and innovation leader with more than 20 years of experience in advanced materials, product development, and clean energy applications. He joined Hercules (later Ashland) in 1999, holding roles from synthetic chemist to Global Technology Director and Director of Business Incubation. His work focused on the development of new chemical additives—including rheology modifiers, surfactants, defoamers, and dispersants—and the commercialization of technologies across sectors such as coatings, food and nutrition, lithium-ion batteries, and water treatment.
At Ashland, Jeffrey led global technology strategy for a $600MM business across 10+ markets and seven technology platforms. He built and managed technical teams of more than 60 across R&D centers in the U.S., India, China, Europe, Brazil, and Turkey. As Director of the Incubator Program, he established and scaled new market ventures in areas such as energy storage and agrochemicals, aligning strategy, technology, and execution to drive growth in emerging sectors.
He holds a Ph.D. in Macromolecular Science and Engineering and an M.S. in Chemistry from the University of Michigan, as well as a B.A. in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His expertise spans polymer chemistry and advanced materials, with applications in sustainable infrastructure and low-carbon innovation.
Outside of work, Jeffrey is active in his community. He currently serves as President of the Arden Club and sits on the board of the Cab Calloway School Fund. He has served on various Arden town committees, volunteers with the Wilmington Drama League, and coaches students in Odyssey of the Mind.
