Board of Directors

Chairman Emeritus

1965
W. Everett Mealman is Chairman Emeritus of the PBI-Gordon Companies Board of Directors.
Sometimes called “The Fifth Founder” of PBI-Gordon, Mr. Mealman’s career with the Company spans seven decades. He first joined the organization as an employee in 1951, was appointed to the Board in 1965 and became majority shareholder in 1977. He served as Chairman from 1984-2020. Having built a legacy of integrity and excellence in every aspect of the business, Mr. Mealman’s name is synonymous with PBI-Gordon.

Executive Chairman

2000
Donald A. Chew was named Executive Chairman in 2020. Previously, he served as President and CEO of PBI-Gordon from 2012-2020. He first joined PBI-Gordon as Chief Financial Officer in 1991 and later became President of Pegasus Laboratories. Mr. Chew played a key role in the formation of the ESOP and the ESOP’s ultimate 100 percent employee-ownership. A Certified Public Accountant and alumnus of Kansas State University, Mr. Chew serves on the Executive Board of CropLife America.

1994
Richard B. Chalker joined the PBI-Gordon Board of Directors in 1994. A graduate of Yale University and DePaul University School of Law, Mr. Chalker served as Vice President of the Tax Division of Hallmark Cards, Inc. until his retirement in 2004. He also serves as Director of QC Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: QCCO) and GuildMaster, Inc.

2015
Stephen M. Clifford joined the PBI-Gordon Board of Directors in 2015, following his retirement from Ernst & Young after a 33-year career, including serving as managing partner of the Kansas City E&Y office for 16 years. In 2018, he became Chief Operating Officer of PBI-Gordon, and on November 1, 2020 Mr. Clifford assumed the role of President & CEO. He is a graduate of Texas Christian University.

2014
With extensive experience in the pest management industry, David M. Cote joined the PBI-Gordon Board of Directors in 2014, following his retirement from Crompton Corporation (now Chemtura Corporation). A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Mr. Cote held various leadership and international positions with Chevron Chemical’s Ortho Consumer Division.

1985
Suzanne Horner has served as Director since 1985. A graduate of Kansas State Teachers College at Emporia, Ms. Horner is a former elementary school teacher in the Shawnee Mission School District. Ms. Horner is the daughter of company co-founder and former PBI-Gordon chairman and president, Robert. M. Mueller.

2010
Thomas A. McCullough was appointed to the PBI-Gordon Board of Directors in 2010. He served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of DST Systems, Chairman of Boston Financial Data Services and President and CEO of Garnac Grain Company. Mr. McCullough is a graduate or Rockhurst University and has a master’s degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

2020
Denny Scott joined the PBI-Gordon Board in 2020. He is chief financial officer for Burns & McDonnell, Inc., a Kansas City-based engineering firm that is 100 percent employee-owned. He also serves on the company’s Board of Directors. Mr. Scott is a graduate of Northwest Missouri State University and earned his master’s degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Advisor

2023
Originally from Scotland, Dr. Sharkey’s doctorate is in Chemistry. Dr. Sharkey spent 25 years with A.H. Marks, PBI-Gordon’s MCPP supplier (subsequently acquired by NuFarm). Dr. Sharkey was responsible for building A.H. Marks’ agrochemical sales business which expanded into 52 different countries, as well as serving as the lead negotiator in the purchase and sale of various businesses. Through his time at A. H. Marks, Dr. Sharkey served in the lead role of the PBI-Gordon relationship which commenced over 40 years ago. Dr. Sharkey currently serves as the Chairman of various phenoxy herbicide task forces in addition to his Ambechem consulting business.

2020
Julia Stephanus is founder and president of Avviare, a consulting practice focused on veterinary biopharmaceuticals. She previously served as Chief Commercial Officer of Aratana, as founder and CEO of Summit VetPharm (now CEVA), and as head of global companion animal marketing for Pfizer (now Zoetis). Ms. Stephanus joined the PBI-Gordon Board as an advisor in 2020.

Advisor

2024
Advisory Director Rick Tirrell joined the PBI-Gordon Board of Directors in 2024. Dr. Tirrell is the president and founder of the strategic planning, corporate culture, and leadership development consultancy, Navigator Group, and founder and manager of Presidents Seminar, a forum of owners, presidents and CEOs. He earned his Ph.D. in psychology from Iowa State university, and is the author of six books, including Formulating Prosperity: The PBI-Gordon Story and Formulating Prosperity: 75th Anniversary Edition.

2024
Richard M. Wright, Jr. joined the PBI-Gordon Companies Board of Directors as an Advisory Director in 2024. Mr. Wright practiced law for more than 40 years, initially as an associate and then partner at Shook, Hardy & Bacon in the firm’s corporate finance group. He spent his last 30+ years as a Partner/Shareholder with Gilmore Bell, P.C., a nationally recognized public finance law firm, including five years as the firm’s President/CEO. He retired from the practice of law at the end of 2023. He has served on several Boards of Directors of nonprofit organizations, including his present position as Chair of the Armour Oaks Senior Living Board of Directors.