Gelosa to Retire from Ashland Inc.


COVINGTON, Ky. - Len R. Gelosa, senior vice president of Ashland Water Technologies, Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), will retire after 24 years of service effective January 1, 2007, the company announced today.

Ashland Chairman and Chief Executive Officer James J. O'Brien praised Gelosa's leadership as head of the company's water businesses. "Len has led an aggressive program of organic growth and acquisition that strongly positions Water Technologies as a leader in its field," said O'Brien. "During this past year, Len led the acquisition of three businesses, including the Degussa water treatment business, which establishes us strongly in water soluble polymers, and whose early results have been positive. Len has established a significant track record during his tenure and his leadership has been important to our company."

Gelosa first joined Ashland in 1971. From 1980 through 1991 he held senior positions in other global chemical companies before returning to Ashland in 1991 as vice president of Marketing and Technology, Drew Industrial. In 1993, he was promoted to vice president/general manager of Drew Industrial. Gelosa was promoted to his current position in 2004.

"It has been very gratifying to lead Water Technologies during a period of strong growth and global expansion," said Gelosa. "I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with such a dedicated team of professionals as those we have at Ashland. I am confident the business is well positioned for a very successful future."

A native of New York City, N.Y., Gelosa earned bachelor's and master's degrees in chemical engineering from City College, New York and a management certificate from Columbia University Business School.

Ashland Water Technologies, a division of Ashland Inc., is a leading supplier of chemical and non-chemical water treatment solutions for industrial, municipal and commercial facilities.

It provides industrial, commercial and institutional water treatments, wastewater treatment, pathogen control, paint and coating additives, pulp and paper processing and mining chemistries. In addition, it also provides boiler and cooling water treatments, fuel treatments, welding, refrigeration and sealing products; and fire fighting, safety and rescue products and services for the merchant marine industry.

Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), a diversified, global chemical company, provides quality products, services and solutions to customers in more than 100 countries. A FORTUNE 500 company, it operates through four wholly owned divisions: Ashland Performance Materials, Ashland Distribution, Valvoline and Ashland Water Technologies. To learn more about Ashland, visit www.ashland.com.

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