KINGSPORT, Tenn. -- As it continues to pursue a plan to become two independent public companies by the end of 2001 (by creating and spinning off a new specialty chemicals and plastics company to be named Eastman Co.), J. Brian Ferguson, currently president of Eastman's chemicals group who will become CEO of Eastman Co., has announced the following members of that company's senior-management team, effective upon completion of the spin-off:

Dr. Gregory O. Nelson, vice president and chief technology officer, responsible for corporate technology issues; specialty plastics technology; and coatings, adhesives, specialty polymers and inks technology.

Francois T. Vleugels, vice president and general manager, coatings, adhesives, specialty polymers, and inks.

For more information about these and other Eastman employees, visit www.eastman.com