Executive Compensation at the American Chemistry Council (2019)

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) is a tax-exempt, non-profit trade association (501 (c) 6) that represents 160 member companies (although the organization’s_ website claims 190) that produce or sell chemistry products in the US and abroad.  Based in Washington, DC, the ACC is managed by 52 independent voting members (board members) of the governing body, of which 46 (88%) are male, 6 (12%) are female.

ACC raised $130 million in 2019 with most revenue from membership dues ($90 million) and Chemtrec Registration Fees (Chemtrec is a 24/7 public service for emergency responders for emergency incidents involving chemicals. SDS (Safety Data Sheet) authors pay a fee to Chemtrec) of $23 million.

Expenses totaled $128 million in 2019, with the two largest expenses reported to be compensation ($52 million) and fees for services – primarily consultants – ($31 million).

291 employees received $52 million in compensation, which equates to nearly $180,000 per employee. However, only 133 employees received more than $100,000 in compensation with the 13 most highly compensated reported to be:

• $5,541,391:  Calvin M Dooley, President and CEO (thru 1/2020)
• $1,133,689:  Dell E Perelman, VP, General Counsel
• $  836,528:  Anne W Kolton, EVP, Communications
• $  752,644:  Michael P Walls, VP, Reg and Tech Affairs
• $  742,532:  Raymond J O’Bryan, CFO, CAO, Treasurer
• $  628,830:  Steven K Russell, VP, Plastics
• $  567,094:  John D Modine, Chief Executive, ChemTrec
• $  560,426:  Robert J Simon, Jr, VP, Chemical Products and TE
• $  536,227:  Ralph R Underwood, VP, State Affairs
• $  493,915:  Nacole B Hinton, VP, HR and Admin
• $  492,332:  Daniel Chebat, Sr Director, Sales and Marketing
• $  453,463:  Bryan D Zumwalt, VP, Federal Affairs
• $  215,266:  Christopher L Jahn, President and CEO (from 10/2019 – 2-3 months)

As listed above, the 13 most highly compensated employees received $13 million in compensation in 2019.  11 of the 13 (85%) are male while 2 of the 11 (15%) are female. Note:  The Form 990 does not report gender. Determinations were made based on name and google searches.

ACC paid for first class and/or charter travel, companion travel, and for personal services. To read the detail, please see the Form 990, Schedule J, Part III, Supplemental Information.

125 independent contractors received more than $100,000 in compensation with the five (5) most highly compensated reported to be:

• $3.5 million:  SCITO VATION LLC, of Durham, NC for research
• $2.1 million:  Weber Shandwick, of Washington, DC for public relations
• $2.0 million:  Ogilvy Pubic Relations Worldwide, of Philadelphia, PA for public relations
• $1.3 million:  Brabendercox LLC, of Pittsburgh, PA for public relations
• $1.2 million:  Keller and Heckman, LLP, of Washington, DC for legal counsel

As illustrated above, most of the highly compensated independent contractors were for public relations.

To read the IRS Form 990 (2019), click here.