Leadership

Effective December 1, 2025, Mr. Jo Hyun (“Jon”) Kwoun was appointed President & CEO of Lotte Chemical USA Corporation (“LC USA”) and President of Lotte Chemical Louisiana LLC (“LCLA”). Mr. Kwoun holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from Hangyang University in Seoul, Korea.

Mr. Kwoun has two decades of experience as a Process Engineer, Engineering Manager and Production Manager.  Prior to his first years working in the U.S. for LC USA, he served as Vice President of Lotte Chemical Corporation’s Monomer business unit.

From May 2016 until March 2021, Mr. Kwoun managed the Project Control Team for LC USA as LCLA and LACC, LLC built their manufacturing facilities in Westlake, Louisiana.  He was instrumental throughout the design and construction phases and continued in his role through commissioning and operating of the facilities.  From 2021 to 2024, Mr. Kwoun served as Engineering Director for Lotte Chemical Corporation (“LCC”) and Production Director of Hyundai Chemical, a joint venture between LCC and Hyundai Oilbank.

Steven Parker was named Site Director for Lotte Chemical USA Corporation’s (“LC USA”) Louisiana manufacturing site in February of 2024.  In July of 2021, Mr. Parker originally joined the Lotte team as Plant Manager for Lotte Chemical Louisiana LLC (“LCLA”), a wholly owned subsidiary of LC USA.  LCLA is an Ethylene Oxide and Ethylene Glycol plant.  Under his leadership, LCLA achieved multiple production and safety records.

Mr. Parker began his career at Dow Chemical, where he spent 17 years and rose to become a Global Manufacturing Leader over plants in Germany, South America and the US.  He also spent 16 years in Management Consulting as a Senior Vice President and Global Engagement Leader, helping companies around the world identify and improve maintenance and operational processes.

Mr. Parker holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from Mississippi State University and is the vice chairman of the Lake Area Industry Alliance board as well as a board member of the Louisiana Chemical Industry Alliance and the SWLA Chamber of Commerce.

Elaine Hurvitz is an Executive Director for Lotte Chemical USA Corporation (“LC USA”) and serves as the Executive Director, Human Resources. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Towson University and a master’s degree in Human Resources Management from Notre Dame University of Maryland.

Ms. Hurvitz began her career in Human Resources in the banking, insurance, and professional consulting business sectors. Over the last thirty (30) plus years, Ms. Hurvitz has worked in the chemicals business sector leading Human Resources’ departments for various chemical companies.

Some of these companies include CRI International, Inc., LyondellBassell, and KMG Chemicals, Inc. In early 2016, Ms. Hurvitz joined Lotte Chemical USA Corporation as the head of Human Resources.

Ms. Hurvitz is an expert in Human Resources with particular emphasis on the building and establishment of Human Resources infrastructure, strategic direction, M&A, integration, labor and employment law, and business leadership.

Mr. Woong Jae (“OJ”) Lee has more than 20 years’ experience in the chemical production industry. He began his career as a Process Engineer and held positions with increasing responsibilities over the years. Mr. Lee was part of the core team that established Lotte Chemical USA Corporation (“LC USA”) and its subsidiaries LACC, LLC and Lotte Chemical Louisiana, LLC. This project began in 2014 with official groundbreaking in 2016. In 2019, he was named Commercial Director for LC USA where today he is responsible for the commercial and supply chain teams.

Mr. Lee has worked for Lotte Chemical Corporation (Korea) for twenty-five (25) years. He began his career as a Process Engineer and worked as Project Manager, Production Manager, Deputy General Manager, and General Manager before being named to the LC USA project as the Commercial Project Manager and now, Commercial Executive Director.

Mr. Lee holds a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Sogang University in Seoul, Korea.

Yongki (Eric) Min was appointed President of LACC, LLC (“LACC”) in December 2024 by the LACC Board of Directors.  Mr. Min brings a breadth of knowledge in the chemical industry with many years of experience in the petrochemical monomer industry.

After graduating from Yeungnam University in South Korea with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Mr. Min joined Lotte Chemical Corporation.  Over the past twenty-five (25) plus years, Mr. Min has worked in varying progressive engineering and management positions in the areas of production, construction, commercial, and engineering.

Mr. Min has led many CAPEX projects in his career.  As the Technical Engineering Manager at LACC, recently, he managed CAPEX projects from concept to start up such as the additional heater and a new boiler.  Both projects have greatly enhanced LACC’s capabilities in making ethylene.

As President, Mr. Min will focus on stable operations and addressing opportunities for growth and expansion.