Almatis today announced the appointment of D. Oscar Groomes as the company’s chief executive officer. Almatis is the global leader in alumina products with operations in Asia, Europe and North America.
Herv de Carmoy, Chairman of the Board of Almatis, states “We are very fortunate to have attracted Oscar Groomes as Chief Executive. His technical experience and his vision will make a major contribution to the already rapid growth and profitability of Almatis.”
Groomes comes to Almatis from the GE Corporation where he was executive vice president of strategic projects and programs. Trained as a metallurgical engineer, physicist and materials scientist, he joined GE in 1984 in the chemical metallurgical management program, and worked in ever-more challenging and responsible roles during his 20 years with that company. In 2002, Groomes was named president and chief executive officer of GE Rail Services in Chicago, Illinois, where he led a US$1 billion rail car leasing business. Prior to that post, Groomes served as the president of GE Specialty Materials where he was responsible for the US$200 million plastics additives business in Europe, Asia and America.
A native of New York, New York, Groomes graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in physics from Tougaloo College. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in materials science engineering from Brown University and a master’s degree in metallurgical engineering and materials science from Carnegie-Mellon University.
He is a board member of the American Lung Association, IMPACT Seminars, and the Road and Rail Services. He holds membership in the Society of Plastics Engineers and the National Society of Black Engineers. He is publisher of O’s Place, a quarterly jazz newsletter.