DuPont Chief Science & Technology Officer Receives Award from Chemical Heritage Foundation

PHILADELPHIA, June 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- DuPont Senior Vice President and Chief Science & Technology Officer Thomas M. Connelly, Jr. was presented the 2005 "Award for Executive Excellence" as part of the Chemical Heritage Foundation "Heritage Day 2005" ceremonies yesterday.

The award is given annually to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution in the field of commercial development and marketing in the chemical and allied industries. The Award for Executive Excellence is sponsored by the Commercial Development and Marketing Association (CDMA). Chairman of the CDMA Awards Committee Dr. Larry Drum said, "With extensive experience at every level of technology innovation, in Europe, the Pacific Rim, and the United States, Dr. Connelly has consistently demonstrated strategic thinking, innovation and superior technology management vital to DuPont as well as to the chemical industry. For this important role, CDMA is proud to present the award."

During the ceremony, Connelly was recognized for being instrumental in leading the company toward products based on renewable resources. Under his guidance, DuPont has built on its resident core strengths in polymer science, chemistry, math, physics and engineering, while broadening its technology scope by adding world-class capabilities in biology and information science. This shift from the traditional petrochemical-based businesses is exemplified by DuPont's collaborative development of the biological process for 1,3 propanediol which forms the basis for a family of new polymers, including DuPont(TM) Sorona(R). Integration from crop science to final nutritional products that consumers now know as Solae(R), through a joint venture between DuPont and Bunge, is another example of how DuPont has been able to capitalize on technology throughout the value chain.

"I am honored to receive the Award for Executive Excellence," Dr. Connelly said. "It is a further demonstration that my peers and colleagues recognize DuPont's efforts to create and deliver new innovations to the global marketplace."

A chemical engineer and an economist, Dr. Connelly became senior vice president and chief science and technology officer on Sept. 1, 2000, after serving as vice president and general manager of DuPont Fluoroproducts. His leadership has taken him across the company and around the world in positions that included responsibility for products such as DuPont(TM) Kevlar(R) to Delrin(R), and Geneva to Hong Kong.

Dr. Connelly graduated with highest honors from Princeton University with degrees in chemical engineering and economics. As a Winston Churchill Scholar, he received his doctorate in chemical engineering from the University of Cambridge in 1977, and subsequently joined DuPont as a research engineer in the Elastomer Chemicals Department based in Wilmington, Del.

Previous recipients of the Award for Executive Excellence include: Madeleine Jacobs - CEO, American Chemical Society; Carl Jennings - BASF; Raj Gupta - Rohm & Haas; Vince Calarco - Crompton Corp.; Hap Wagner - Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.; Donald Rumsfeld - Searle; Hal Sorgenti - Arco; and Al Giacco - Hercules.

For further information on the Award for Executive Excellence ceremony and to find out more about the Commercial Development and Marketing Association, go to: http://www.cdmaonline.org/. To request a photo, or additional content for publication, please email: Info@cdmaonline.org or call 215-564-3484.

DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.

The DuPont Oval, DuPont(TM), The miracles of science(TM), and Sorona(R), Kevlar(R) and Delrin(R), are registered trademarks or trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates.

Solae(R) is a registered trademark of Solae, LLC.