Leadership Team
Jerry L. Jost
President
Jerry L. Jost is the founder and president of Jost Chemical Company after a successful career in the practice of chemical engineering. He uses that experience and expertise to grow Jost Chemical and share what he has learned with other business owners.
He began his career as a Chemical Production Engineer for Wagner Electric Company and then as a Project Engineer at ITT Blackburn Company. Following those two positions, Jerry spent nine years at Mallinckrodt (currently operating as Covident) in various roles as a Production Engineer, Production Supervisor and Technical Supervisor. He credits his varied experience at these other organizations for learning the specialty chemical and pharmaceutical industry nuances that helped him become successful with his own company.
Jerry earned his Bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Missouri at Columbia. He served on active duty in the U.S. army at Fort Benning, Georgia, and then another eight years in the U.S. Army Reserves.
Recognized for the company's staying power, growth, financial performance, innovativeness of product, response to adversity and contributions to community-oriented projects, Jerry earned the Small Business Association's 2010 Person of the Year Award for Eastern Missouri. He also received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2010 Energy/Chemical Award in the Central Midwest region. According to Ernst & Young LLP, the award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic, growing businesses.
Jerry has served on the University of Missouri-Columbia's Chemical engineering Industrial Advisory Council and on the Associated Industries of Missouri board for seven years. Jerry Jost has been a volunteer judge at both Washington University and Saint Louis University campuses for various entrepreneurial contests, such as the Idea to Product (I2P) early stage academic competition and the FIRST Robotics competition. He is a member of the American Chemical Society (ACS) and has opened the company facilities for use as a meeting and training site for local and regional ACS groups as well as for the Boy Scouts of America. Jerry has supported the Salvation Army for nearly two decades.
In his spare time, Jerry is an avid aquarist, maintaining 27 tanks of freshwater aquaria. He breeds rare and endangered species. He also relies on his chemistry knowledge to manage a growing collection of aquatic plants.
Steve Ederle
Plant Manager
Steve Ederle joined the Jost Chemical team in June 1992. Starting as a Production Supervisor when Jost Chemical had 18 employees, Steve has over 18 years of progressive responsibilities in operations. Steve earned a bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from the then University of Missouri at Rolla (currently Missouri University of Science and Technology). Steve is responsible for supply chain metrics of inventory management and controlling direct manufacturing costs while achieving the desired service levels for our customers.
John P. Gleason
Director of Quality and R&D
John Gleason joined the Jost Chemical team in October 1992. Before joining Jost Chemical, John worked as a senior research chemist for Ethyl Corporation and before that at Monsanto Company. He earned a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in Chemistry from Saint Louis University and followed that with an MBA from Washington University. John is responsible for product development as well as leading an experienced team of professionals in delivering world-class products that satisfy customer needs and expectations.
Jeffrey D. Lenger
Director of Sales & Marketing
Jeff Lenger joined the Jost Chemical team in May 1996. For over 14 years, Jeff has worked with every major account in North America to achieve Jost Chemical's sales and marketing goals. In 2000, Jeff played a key role in establishing Jost Europe. Before joining Jost Chemical, Jeff worked for 12 years at Monsanto Company and previously at Caterpillar Tractor Company. Jeff earned a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Missouri at Columbia. He is responsible for leading Jost Chemical's worldwide sales efforts, developing strong customer relationships and building strategic relationships with key industry partners.
David E. Miller
Controller
Dave Miller joined the Jost Chemical team in August 2005. He came to us after a more than a 20-year career with the Solae Company, DuPont Protein Technologies and Protein Technologies International. Dave earned a bachelor's degree in Industrial Administration and Accounting from Iowa State University and an MBA from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. Prior to his professional experience, he earned the rank of captain in the U.S. Air Force. Dave is responsible for general and financial accounting functions, corporate financial planning, reporting and analysis as well as financial information systems and standards directed towards achieving company goals.
Denise R. Chachere
Human Resources/Organizational Development Director
Denise Chachere joined the Jost Chemical team in May 2007. She has more than 20 years experience in the practice, teaching and consulting of human resource management in a variety of organizations (manufacturing and services, public and private). Denise earned a bachelor's degree in Management and Computer Science from Louisiana State University, and master's degree in Human Resource Management and Labor Relations from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana where she also completed doctoral coursework in the same field. She is past president of the Human Resource Management Association of Greater St. Louis and an adjunct professor of Human Resources at Saint Louis University and Washington University. Denise is responsible for developing Jost Chemical's expertise in areas of talent management, culture, communications, employee relations and organization development to provide the link between business and organizational strategies.
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