Donald P. Knechtges

Senior Advisor

Mr. Knechtges is responsible for the vision and senior management of GLIDE. Prior to leading the operations of GLIDE, Don served as Chief Development Officer for PolyOne, a $3.5 billion Cleveland based organization with its production facilities located in Avon Lake. While there, he managed all merger, acquisition, business development, and joint venture activity. In addition to managing the development of the corporation, Don led all integration activities to mold the former M.A. Hanna and GEON companies into the world’s leading polymer services company.

Before leading GEON into its merger with the M.A. Hanna Corporation, Don held various senior level positions, leading Sales and Marketing, Business Development, Corporate Technology, and Engineering. While in these positions, Don directed the transformation of the company from a $1.1 billion commodity polymer producer to a $3.5 billion polymer services company. He established many business and joint ventures. Before leading the commercial activities of GEON after its IPO split-off from the BF Goodrich Company, Don served BF Goodrich throughout his career. Don began as an associate engineer with the company and moved to directing the marketing and sales of bottle compounds, new products, and PVC compounds and then to managing all commercial activities including sales, marketing, international, and business management.

In addition to his corporate experience, Don’s entrepreneurial spirit prompted him to take over the ownership of his grandfather’s tax preparation business, Swanee’s Tax Service in Grafton. He also owned and operated D & I Plastics, an injection molding business, producing drapery hardware out of its facilities in Elyria.

Don is the past Chairman of the Lorain County Community College Foundation Board and the past Vice-Chairman of the Lorain County Chamber of Commerce. He also serves as a member of the Lorain County Community College Foundation Board of Trustees, the Catholic Healthcare Partners National Strategic Planning Committee, the Community Health Partners Board of Trustees, and the Leadership in Education Board of Trustees. Since 1967, Don has remained active in creativity and industrial education programs, conducting seminars on creativity, innovation, and leadership for many organizations.

Don holds two degrees, one in engineering from the Case Institute of Technology and another in Chemistry from Marietta College. He served Marietta in the past as the Chairman of the Economics Alumni Association.

Lifetime residents of Lorain County, Don, and his wife, Ingrid, have three grown children and one grandchild.

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		The Great Lakes Innovation and Development Enterprise
About GLIDE GLIDE Staff Client Companies Directions to GLIDE Resource Library The Great Lakes Innovation and Development Enterprise	Donald P. Knechtges Senior Advisor Mr. Knechtges is responsible for the vision and senior management of GLIDE. Prior to leading the operations of GLIDE, Don served as Chief Development Officer for PolyOne, a $3.5 billion Cleveland based organization with its production facilities located in Avon Lake. While there, he managed all merger, acquisition, business development, and joint venture activity. In addition to managing the development of the corporation, Don led all integration activities to mold the former M.A. Hanna and GEON companies into the world’s leading polymer services company. Before leading GEON into its merger with the M.A. Hanna Corporation, Don held various senior level positions, leading Sales and Marketing, Business Development, Corporate Technology, and Engineering. While in these positions, Don directed the transformation of the company from a $1.1 billion commodity polymer producer to a $3.5 billion polymer services company. He established many business and joint ventures. Before leading the commercial activities of GEON after its IPO split-off from the BF Goodrich Company, Don served BF Goodrich throughout his career. Don began as an associate engineer with the company and moved to directing the marketing and sales of bottle compounds, new products, and PVC compounds and then to managing all commercial activities including sales, marketing, international, and business management. In addition to his corporate experience, Don’s entrepreneurial spirit prompted him to take over the ownership of his grandfather’s tax preparation business, Swanee’s Tax Service in Grafton. He also owned and operated D & I Plastics, an injection molding business, producing drapery hardware out of its facilities in Elyria. Don is the past Chairman of the Lorain County Community College Foundation Board and the past Vice-Chairman of the Lorain County Chamber of Commerce. He also serves as a member of the Lorain County Community College Foundation Board of Trustees, the Catholic Healthcare Partners National Strategic Planning Committee, the Community Health Partners Board of Trustees, and the Leadership in Education Board of Trustees. Since 1967, Don has remained active in creativity and industrial education programs, conducting seminars on creativity, innovation, and leadership for many organizations. Don holds two degrees, one in engineering from the Case Institute of Technology and another in Chemistry from Marietta College. He served Marietta in the past as the Chairman of the Economics Alumni Association. Lifetime residents of Lorain County, Don, and his wife, Ingrid, have three grown children and one grandchild. Print this page.
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