Early Leadership: The Koppers Company

Dr. Heinrich Koppers invented the byproduct coke oven with a single-or cross regenerator, now a feature of every modern coke oven system. He incorporated the H. Koppers Company in 1912, which was eventually purchased by American industrialists. Dr. Koppers returned to Germany and died in 1941.

H.B. Rust, who had owned a boiler business that was sold to Babcock & Wilcox, was an early investor in the H. Koppers Company. He was elected as the first president of the company and led tremendous expansion from 1914 to 1929, retiring in 1933 after serving as chairman of the board. He died in 1936.

F.W. Sperr, Jr., research director and inventor, organized the research department in 1915 and remained as director until 1931.

J.T. Tierney served in many operations positions from the company’s early days, including director of all coke plant operations, president and chairman of the board.

J.P. Williams Jr., who initiated and developed Koppers coal mining interests, served as president in the 1940s.

General Brehon Somervell — a former commanding general of the U.S. Army Service Forces — was elected president of Koppers in 1946. A considerate man who always put his employees needs first, he centralized control and organized a system for growth, particularly in the chemical business.

Walter F. Munnikhuysen, served as Chairman of the Board from 1955 to 1958.

Fred C. Foy, was elected president in 1955 and became Chairman of the Board in 1958. He assembled a management team to implement Koppers first marketing programs.

Fletcher L. Byrom was named President in 1960 and moved up to CEO in 1968,when Douglas Grymes was named President.

Charles R. Pullin was named Chairman in 1982 with Glen Tenley becoming Koppers President in 1986.