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January 18, 2000
VINCENT J. CORBO
Chief Executive Officer, Hercules
Whether you hold strictly that the millennium
actually begins in 2001 or you accept the popular round-numbered
celebration of 2000, changing centuries reminds us of larger
changes. Delaware's businesses are part of what has changed
dramatically during this last century. One of Delaware's major
companies, Hercules, personifies that change.
Since its formation in 1912, as a result
of an anti-trust suit against the DuPont Company, Hercules
has held a prominent place in Wilmington and Delaware, as
one of the State's principal businesses. When Wilmington was
threatened with losing Hercules, Mayor Bill McLaughlin put
together a creative package, including one of Wilmington's
early UDAG grants, that led to the construction of Hercules'
signature building overlooking the Brandywine.
Since those days under Chairman Alexander
F. Giacco, Hercules has undergone the changes of most major
American companies, including divestment, downsizing, acquisition,
and reorganization. More recently we have followed Hercules
under the leadership of David S. Hollingsworth, Thomas S.
Gossage, and R. Keith Elliott.
Now, under the guidance of Vincent J. Corbo,
Hercules enters the 21st Century as a very different
company than it was when it first occupied the Hercules Building
on the Brandywine, let alone when it began in 1912.
Vince Corbo, who has been with Hercules his
entire career, was Senior Vice President of Technology before
becoming President and Chief Operating Officer following Hercules'
acquisition of Betz-Dearborn in October 1998. In April 1999,
Hercules announced that Vince would succeed R. Keith Elliott
as Chairman in mid 1999.
Vince Corbo will share with us his vision
for the future of Hercules, as well as its role in Delaware's
economy, as we face the new millennium.
Beverley Baxter
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