Ron Charles

Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in HR leadership?

A: In college, I developed an interest in how human behavior and organizational structure play a role in the company’s success, as well as how a motivated and well-trained workforce is critical in obtaining a competitive advantage. Whether playing team sports in high school, participating in group activities in college, or advancing in my corporate career, the driving force behind my passion has always been building strong relationships within a team. As an HR leader, I find joy in understanding the needs and motivations of each individual and fostering an environment where they can excel professionally and thrive personally.

Q: What core values shape your approach to leading Chemours company People Function?

A: Since building lasting relationships is at the heart of my approach, I believe in getting to know the person behind the role, as it helps in breaking down walls and cultivates a culture of openness. I’m committed to integrity, honesty, and authentic communication, as these are the building blocks of trust within any organization. Moreover, I am a strong advocate for inclusion, diversity and equity. By valuing everyone's unique perspectives and capabilities, we unlock our potential in problem-solving, decision-making and innovation.

Q: What excites you most about the future of the Chemours company?

A: The path that Chemours company is on is not just ambitious, but is transformative. We're not just aiming to be a great place to work, but we're striving to be the greatest place to work. We’re dedicated to attract, retain, and develop the best and brightest talent in our field. And creating a work environment that is holistically safe allows our people to perform at their peak potential, thus helping Chemours COMPANY to also reach its potential as an organization.

Q: Do you have a favorite book or quote that has influenced your leadership philosophy?

A: A quote by Colin Powell has significantly influenced my approach to leadership: “If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters. Excellence is not an exception; it is a prevailing attitude.” This underscores the importance of not under-serving the small things, as these are what add up to form the habits that are critical in achieving the larger objectives.

Q: Outside of work, what are your favorite hobbies or activities?

A: Work-life balance is important to the well-being of both the individual and the organization. When I’m not at work, you'll often find me spending time with my family, playing pickup basketball, working out, or trying cuisine at various restaurants. These activities keep me refreshed and ready to tackle the week ahead.

Biography

Ron brings over 24 years of human resources, manufacturing, and labor relations experience, including 18 years in the chemical industry. He has been with Chemours for six years in several HR leadership roles and has supported every business unit.

Notably, Ron has led the people aspects of several large-scale, transformative business initiatives, including the Southern Ionics Minerals acquisition and the methylamines divestiture. He has also contributed to our plant sites by implementing a more efficient, automated time and attendance system and contributing to the negotiation strategy for more favorable labor contracts.

More recently, Ron expanded his responsibility to include leadership of the Culture and Talent organization, where he assembled a high-performance team, upgraded the talent acquisition process, and developed programs, policies, and tools that are already making Chemours a top destination for the best and brightest talent.

Before Chemours, Ron worked for several multinational corporations, including Phillips 66, Albemarle Corporation, Frito Lay, and Texas Instruments. There, he gained deep experience serving as the HR leader of billion-dollar business units and their frontline workforce, and leading the people aspects of complex mergers, divestitures, and restructurings.

Ron received his Bachelor's degree in business management from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and his MBA in Human Resources Management from the University of North Texas.