Stepan Co. recently announced that F. Quinn Stepan, the company’s chairman, will retire effective December 31. He has served as chairman since 1984, and previously served as CEO from November 1984 to December 2005.

The board of directors unanimously appointed F. Quinn Stepan, Jr., the company's president and CEO, to succeed Stepan as chairman, effective upon his retirement. Stepan will continue to serve as a member of the board of directors. The company also announced that Edward J. Wehmer will serve as lead independent director, effective upon Stepan's retirement.

“My father's incredible passion for Stepan Co. over the past 55 years has been instrumental to our Company’s profitable growth and expansion,” said Stepan, Jr. “Working with Stepan employees throughout the world to provide innovative solutions for customers and to build a global manufacturing network to deliver them, my father generated significant value for our shareholders. We are grateful for his leadership and his contributions to our past and future growth.”

For more information, visit www.stepan.com.