Ralph Gillespie
About Ralph Gillespie
Ralph Gillespie serves as the Director of Downstream Technology Commercialization at LanzaTech, where he has worked since 2018. He possesses extensive experience in process technology and research management, having held various leadership roles in companies such as Celanese and UOP.
Work at LanzaTech
Ralph Gillespie serves as the Director of Downstream Technology Commercialization at LanzaTech, a position he has held since 2018. In this role, he focuses on commercializing new technologies and enhancing the company's R&D pipeline through both internal and external collaborations. His responsibilities include identifying key success factors that drive performance and process improvement, as well as applying technology to address customer and business challenges.
Previous Experience at Celanese
Prior to his current role, Ralph Gillespie worked at Celanese from 2012 to 2018. He held several positions, including Global R&D Director for Acetyls and Director/Sr. Director of Process Technology. His tenure at Celanese involved leading research and development initiatives that contributed to the company's innovation in chemical processes and product development.
Education and Expertise
Ralph Gillespie holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Inorganic Chemistry from Northwestern University, where he studied from 1986 to 1989. He also earned a Master of Science (MS) in Inorganic Chemistry from the same institution in 1986. Earlier, he completed a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Chemistry at Rice University from 1981 to 1985. His academic background supports his expertise in performance and process improvement, metrics, and analytics.
Background in Research and Development
Ralph Gillespie has extensive experience in research and development, having worked at UOP in various roles from 1990 to 2006. His positions included Senior Research Specialist, Research Manager for New Chemistry, and Research Associate. His work at UOP focused on developing new chemical processes and technologies, which laid the foundation for his later roles in R&D leadership.
Team Development and Leadership
Ralph Gillespie emphasizes the importance of building and developing research teams that align with business needs. His leadership style focuses on cultivating new opportunities and applying technology to solve complex customer and business issues. This approach has been integral to his success in various roles throughout his career.