Thiele Kaolin Company’s Board of Directors recently announced that Sam Smith will retire as the company’s president effective Feb.1, 2011. Paul Kirschling, current Vice President and Technical Director of the company, has been named as Smith’s successor.
"The decision to retire was certainly made with mixed emotions," Smith noted in a memo to Thiele employees. "Thiele Kaolin Company and its employees have been a big part of my life for over forty-five years."
A graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology, Smith joined Thiele in 1965 as a Research Group Leader, becoming Research Director in 1971, where he served until 1985. He then served as Technical Director from 1985-2000 and from 2000-2004 served as Vice-President and Technical Director. Smith became President of Thiele in 2004 and in 2008 was named Chairman of the Board of Directors.
"Paul has been a tremendous asset to Thiele for the past 34 years," said Smith. "I am pleased to pass the presidency to him and look forward to seeing the great things that are in store for the company under his leadership."
Kirschling, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, joined Thiele in 1976 as a technician in the Reedy Creek Division’s quality control lab, where he remained for three years. In 1979, he was promoted to Quality Control Lab Foreman and Supervisor. Kirschling then became Assistant Operations Manager at Reedy Creek in 1988 and served in that role until 1989, when he became Manager of Research and Development in Sandersville. Since 2004, Kirschling has served as Vice President and Technical Director.
"It is a great honor to be chosen to lead Thiele Kaolin Company into the future." Kirschling said. "The dedication and skill of our employees is unmatched in the industry. With their support, Thiele will continue to provide innovative and high performance products and services that have become synonymous with the Thiele name."