Management Team
Our management team is dedicated to our core values of quality, health, safety, environment and integrity. While we continue to rely on a senior management team with many years of collective knowledge and experience, we're also proud of the ways in which we’re developing that knowledge base.
We're adding new fresh talent to help U.S. Silica better identify exciting new growth opportunities, and continuing to invest in and strengthen our existing team.
We are excited about our growth opportunities, coupled with our rock solid history of 100+ years in business. Meet the management team that’s helping us - and you - move into the future:
Bryan Shinn, President and Chief Executive Officer
Bryan A. Shinn has served as our President since March 2011 and as our Chief Executive Officer and a member of our board of directors since January 2012. Prior to assuming this position, Mr. Shinn was our Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing from October 2009 to February 2011. Before joining us, Mr. Shinn was employed by the E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company from 1983 to September 2009, where he held a variety of key leadership roles in operations, sales, marketing and business management, including Global Business Director and Global Sales Director. Mr. Shinn earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Delaware. As a result of these and other professional experiences, Mr. Shinn possesses particular knowledge and experience in operations, sales, marketing, management and corporate strategy that strengthen the board's collective qualifications, skills and experience.
Brian Slobodow, Chief Administrative Officer
Brian Slobodow has served as a member of our board of directors since March 2011 and as our Chief Administrative Officer since January 2012. Prior to assuming this position, Mr. Slobodow served as our Chief Executive Officer from March 2011 to January 2012. Before joining us, Mr. Slobodow was President and Chief Operating Officer of Neways Worldwide, a portfolio company of Golden Gate Capital, from May 2007 to March 2011, held numerous positions at Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. from 2003 to May 2007, including Vice President, Global Supply Chain and served as a management consultant for A.T. Kearney from 1995 to 2003. Mr. Slobodow earned a B.S. in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering from the University of Rhode Island and an M.B.A. from the M.I.T. Sloan School of Management. As a result of these and other professional experiences, Mr. Slobodow possesses particular knowledge and experience in operations, management, corporate strategy, organizational design and private equity management that strengthen the board’s collective qualifications, skills and experience.
William White, Chief Financial Officer
William A. White has served as our Chief Financial Officer since October 2006. Mr. White also served as our Vice President of Finance from January 2006 to July 2011, our Corporate Controller from 1996 to 2005 and held various other positions with us from 1991 to 1996. Before joining us, Mr. White was Corporate Accounting Manager at Union Carbide Corporation from 1985 to 1991 and worked at a regional Certified Public Accounting firm from 1980 to 1985. Mr. White earned a B.B.A. from Marshall University and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in West Virginia.
Mike Winkler, Vice President of Operations
Michael L. Winkler has served as our Vice President of Operations since June 2011. Before joining us, Mr. Winkler was Vice President of Operations for Campbell Soup Company from August 2007 to June 2011 and held various positions with Mars Inc. from 1996 to August 2007, including Plant Manager—Columbus Plant and Director of Industrial Engineering. Mr. Winkler earned a B.S. in industrial engineering from the University of Wisconsin—Platteville and an M.B.A. from the University of North Texas.
Brad Casper, Vice President of Strategic Planning
Bradford B. Casper has served as our Vice President of Strategic Planning since May 2011. Before joining us, Mr. Casper was at Bain & Company, Inc., where he held various positions from 2002 to May 2011 in the United States, Australia and Hong Kong, most recently serving as a Principal from July 2010 to May 2011. Mr. Casper earned a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
David Murry - Vice President Talent Management, Chief Human Resources Officer
In 2011, David joined U.S. Silica as VP of Talent Management and CHRO. Most recently, David was the Director of Human Resources and Talent Management for Arkema, a diversified chemicals company. He has held positions of increasing leadership with Armstrong, Dell, and Alcoa. David oversees U.S. Silica’s Human Resources, Occupational Health, and Safety team members in the corporate office as well as at all of our operating facilities. David earned a BS in Mining Engineering from Texas A&M University and a Master’s of Science in Management from Antioch University.
James Manion, General Counsel
James I. Manion has served as our General Counsel since 2003. Prior to assuming this position, Mr. Manion was our Assistant General Counsel from 1998 to 2003. Before joining us, Mr. Manion specialized in transactional and corporate law and was a partner in the law firm of Jackson & Kelly from 1988 to 1998. Mr. Manion earned a B.S. in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.
John P. Blanchard - Vice President and General Manager, Industrial and Specialties
J.P. joined U.S. Silica in 2011 as VP and General Manager, Industrials and Specialties. He brings significant experience, energy and leadership to help accelerate U.S. Silica’s growth trajectory. J.P. possesses over 15 years’ experience in a variety of industries, including nonwovens, composites and pharmaceuticals. He has held increasingly senior roles in business management, sales, marketing and business development, and formerly served as Global Business Director at Johns Manville. He holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from Michigan Technological University and an MBA from the University of Michigan.
Jeff Jahn, Mine Planning & Development Manager
Jeff has been employed with U.S. Silica since 1993 as Director of Mine Planning and Development. In addition to overseeing all mine development, Jeff also ensures the adequacy of the company's ore reserves through exploration, leasing, and acquisition. He is also responsible for providing input on all land related matters, and advising and critiquing of strategic acquisition opportunities. Prior to joining U.S. Silica, Jeff obtained 17 years of industrial minerals experience in the fields of phosphate, barite and refractory minerals, and served most recently as Manager of Mines for Harbison-Walker Refractories. He holds a BS in Geology from Penn State University.
Michael Thompson, Treasurer and Director of Technical Accounts
Mike has been employed at U.S. Silica since 1987. Prior to joining U.S. Silica, Mike held various rolls, including Controller, with Dravo Corporation and its various entities. Mike holds a BS in Business Administration, with an Accounting major, from West Virginia University in Morgantown, as well as an MBA from Case Western Reserve University. Mike is a certified management accountant and certified public accountant licensed in Pennsylvania and Louisiana.
Jason Tedrow, Vice President of Supply Chain
Jason Tedrow has served as our Vice President of Supply Chain since January 2012. Before joining us, Mr. Tedrow was with Lafarge Cement where he held various distribution and supply chain management roles of increasing responsibility from 2006 through 2011, most recently serving as the Director of Distribution for Lafarge's River Business Unit. Mr. Tedrow also held various engineering and supply chain management positions with ConAgra Foods from 2000 to January 2006 and The Amway Corporation from 1998 to August 2000. Mr Tedrow earned a BS in Industrial Engineering from Western Michigan University and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.