10 Eastman Chemical engineering leaders
Brian Joyner, Director, Process Engineering at Eastman, is one of ten Eastman Chemical engineering leaders listed here, alongside people who hold or have held process engineering, plant engineering, engineering and construction, and scale-up roles at the company. A reader can learn how engineering leaders work at Eastman Chemical from people who have held the role.
Professionals to explore
Alan Beecher
LinkedInExperience: Director, Plastics Development Division · Eastman
Alan Beecher has been Director, Plastics Development Division at Eastman since February 2025, with a profile headline that reads Technology Director at Eastman. Alan Beecher was Circular Solutions Platform Leader at Eastman from 2024 to 2025, a Group Leader, Polymers Process Development from 2019 to 2022 and a Senior Development Engineer at Eastman from 2016 to 2019.
Brad Duckworth
LinkedInExperience: Director of Development & Piloting · Eastman
Brad Duckworth has been Director of Development & Piloting at Eastman since January 2026, with a profile headline that reads Director, Process Development & Piloting. Brad Duckworth was a Manufacturing Division Director at Eastman from 2024 to 2026, an Operational Excellence Leader from 2022 to 2024 and Director of Scaleup and Process Innovation at Eastman from 2016 to 2020.
Brian Joyner
LinkedInExperience: Director, Process Engineering · Eastman
Brian Joyner has been Director, Process Engineering at Eastman since November 2023, based in Kingsport, Tennessee. Brian Joyner describes the same current role in both his profile headline and his About section as Director, Process Engineering & Optimization at Eastman.
Derrick Dingus
LinkedInExperience: Director, Technology Pilot Plants, Safety, and Operations · Eastman
Derrick Dingus has been Director, Technology Pilot Plants, Safety, and Operations at Eastman since March 2026, based in Kingsport, Tennessee. Derrick Dingus was Manager, Digital Manufacturing (2025–2026), Group Leader (2023–2025) and Principal Chemical Engineer (2021–2023) at Eastman, and Pulp, Utilities, & Environmental Department Manager at Appvion (2020–2021).
Jan Shumate
LinkedInExperience: Director, Worldwide Engineering & Construction Solutions Corp MFG Automation Transformation · Eastman
Jan Shumate was Director, Worldwide Engineering & Construction Solutions Corp MFG Automation Transformation at Eastman from 2021 to 2025 and Director, Worldwide Engineering & Construction Services and Solutions from 2017 to 2021. Jan Shumate was Director, Plant Engineering at Eastman from 2014 to 2016 and has been Division Director, Engineering Management Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory since January 2026.
Jayme Leita
LinkedInExperience: Director, Scale-up & Process Innovation · Eastman
Jayme Leita has been Director, Scale-up & Process Innovation at Eastman since January 2023 and describes a background as a circular economy technology leader, chemical engineer and Six Sigma Black Belt according to the profile. Jayme Leita was Director, Circular Solutions at Eastman from 2019 to 2023 and Director, Cellulose Esters Development Division from 2017 to 2019.
Max Cobble
LinkedInExperience: Director - Engineering & Construction · Eastman
Max Cobble has been Director - Engineering & Construction at Eastman since May 2025, based in the Longview-Marshall area, and also lists a Structural Engineer title at Eastman from June 2026. Max Cobble was Superintendent Polyethylene & Epolene Department at Eastman from 2024 to 2025, an Area Maintenance Manager from 2019 to 2024 and a Project Manager from 2016 to 2019.
Soumendra Basu
LinkedInExperience: Director of Technology, Global Technology Services & Operations, Specialty Plastics Division · Eastman
Soumendra Basu has been Director of Technology, Global Technology Services & Operations, Specialty Plastics Division at Eastman since May 2025 and was Director of Technology, Medical & Engineering Solutions, Specialty Plastics Division there from 2024 to 2025. Soumendra Basu was Director of Innovation, Coatings Adhesives Sealant Elastomer (CASE) Division at Eastman from 2022 to 2024 and Director of Technology, Product & Application Development, Coatings & Ink Division there from 2019 to 2022.
Stacey Haines
LinkedInExperience: Director, Kingsport Plant Engineering and Control Systems Support · Eastman
Stacey Haines has been Director, Kingsport Plant Engineering and Control Systems Support at Eastman since October 2025, with experience managing large engineering groups according to the profile. Stacey Haines was Group Leader, Fibers Process Development at Eastman from 2022 to 2025, Group Leader, Plant Engineering Area 2 from 1994 to 2022 and a Senior Associate Chemical Engineer from 1994 to 2025.
Tamara Denecker
LinkedInExperience: Director, process- and project engineering Alkylamines · Eastman
Tamara Denecker was Director, process- and project engineering Alkylamines at Eastman from December 2014 to August 2017, based in Ghent, Belgium. Tamara Denecker has been Alkylamines Manufacturing Director at Eastman since August 2017, and her profile headline gives that title at Eastman Chemical Company.
Choose the right perspective
Pick the person whose engineering area is closest to your question, since process engineering, plant engineering, engineering and construction, and scale-up work differently. Check the start and end dates to see how recent each person's experience in the role is.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01What did you focus on first when you took on your engineering role at Eastman, and what did you learn from it?
- 02How do you decide which process or plant engineering issues need your direct attention?
- 03What have you learned from your own work about scaling up and running chemical processes safely and reliably?
Reaching Eastman Chemical engineering leaders
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About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot; roles marked former had ended by then. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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