As Vice President and General manager for global Graphics and Reflectives Solutions, Hassan is responsible for both the short- and long-term financial and operating objectives of our Graphics Solutions and Reflective Solutions businesses. Together with his team, he drives overall vision and direction and a multi-year operating strategy to grow these businesses.
As Vice President Global Technology and Ventures, he is engaged directly in start-up opportunities and equity investments related to adjacent capabilities.
Hassan also oversees our extensive global R&D network and focuses on identifying new, disruptive applications while continuing to grow the performance and cost attractiveness of our core businesses.
Hassan started his career as a research associate with the Center for Materials Research & Technology (MARTECH) at Florida State University. After that, Hassan joined Hercules Incorporated in Wilmington, Delaware for 4 years between innovation and product management roles. Hassan then joined Ashland as part of the Hercules Incorporated acquisition in 2008. While at Ashland, Hassan served as vice president of strategic growth platforms in the company’s Specialty Ingredients commercial unit. He also led the integration of innovation & channel growth streams as part of the ISP acquisition by Ashland. Prior to that, he served in commercial roles of increasing responsibility, including global business unit director of consumer industries (Pharmaceuticals, Food and Personal Care) and prior to that as global industry manager, Pharmaceuticals, at Ashland Specialty Ingredients.
Prior to Avery Dennison, Hassan served as Vice President, Chief technology and Innovation Officer at H.B. Fuller from 2012 to 2016 leading HB Fuller's innovation & research centers around the globe and co-leading integration of several bolt-on acquisitions.
Hassan holds a bachelor's degree in chemistry from the American University of Beirut (Lebanon), an MBA in finance from the University of Delaware and a Ph.D. in chemistry from Florida State University. Hassan holds an executive leadership certificate from the University of Minnesota from 2013 and he also has served as a director for the Minnesota High Tech Association from 2012-2016.
We asked Hassan:
What inspires you?
Decisions and transformations of our core & future business that make a difference in somebody’s quality of life, customer experiences and creating a passionate engaged team along the way.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
The Gulf Coast of Florida: Sunshine, beach, seafood, college sports.
Other than spending time with friends and family, what do you do in your spare time?
Always looking at the next wave of technologies to invest in and, in parallel, mentoring and helping others accelerate and launch their professional careers; in whatever time is left, enjoying the automotive world of cars.