Ashland Inc. names Schirmer employee communications manager
6/16/2006
LEXINGTON, Ky. - Valerie L. Schirmer has been named manager of employee communications for Ashland Inc. The announcement was made by Martha C. Johnson, vice president of Communications and Corporate Affairs, to whom Schirmer will report. Schirmer will be based in Lexington.
"Valerie brings to her new role a level of energy and excitement about employee communications that will serve us well as we continue redefining and sharing what it means to be an Ashland employee," says Johnson. "Her depth of varied experience in communications and marketing leadership roles provides a great foundation for leading this group of communication professionals. She has directed efforts in organizational effectiveness and employee communications while with Valvoline Instant Oil Change, and has counseled management on strategic employee issues in a number of her previous positions. I am delighted to have her move into these new responsibilities."
Schirmer will lead an employee communications team responsible for Ashland's public website, the company's intranet site, its employee magazine, corporate meetings coordination, interfacing with Human Resources on benefits and other HR communications and supporting senior management on employee communications matters and internal announcements.
Schirmer most recently served as manager of communications for Valvoline Instant Oil Change, a position she held since 2002. She joined Ashland in 1980 and has held various positions of increasing responsibility in areas including Valvoline sports marketing, Valvoline Instant Oil Change and the former SuperAmerica group.
She holds a bachelor's degree in technical journalism from Colorado State University and has completed the Ashland Executive Development Program at Indiana University.
Ashland Inc. (NYSE:ASH) is a FORTUNE 500 chemical and transportation construction company providing products, services, and customer solutions throughout the world. To learn more about Ashland, visit www.ashland.com.
