Release Date: July 7,2025
Polymer Industry Cluster Selects Hans Dorfi as Executive Director and Chief Innovation Officer
July 7, 2025, Akron, OH – Today, the Greater Akron Chamber and Polymer Industry Cluster announces Dr. Hans Dorfi as the Executive Director and Chief Innovation Officer of The Polymer Industry Cluster (PIC). Dorfi will assume the role and responsibilities immediately.
In this role, Dorfi will be responsible for leading the work of the Polymer Industry Cluster on behalf of a broad group of industry, education, government and economic development collaborators with a focus on sustainable and advanced polymer solutions that can drive economic growth and employment for Greater Akron and the Northeast Ohio region. Dorfi will be the region’s designated leader to shape a globally influential ecosystem through partnerships, and innovation to guide the cluster’s trajectory, secure funding, and lead initiatives that support R&D, workforce development, sector-wide collaboration and capture the future opportunity of the industry on behalf of Greater Akron.
“From the start, this work has been about convening industry companies and partners to collaborate to create value and scale that we can’t do as individual organizations,” said Steve Millard, President and CEO of the Greater Akron Chamber. “Hans is a leader who has the track record to drive this effort forward. The goal for the region is growth to deliver more – more business attraction, more entrepreneurship, more innovation and job creation that leads to more opportunity for everyone that lives and moves here.”
Dorfi brings over two decades of innovation and technology experience in leadership roles in the U.S. and Europe driving large-scale transformation in the polymer, rubber and mobility sectors. Most recently as Senior Vice President at Bridgestone Americas, he led the transformation of the product and technology portfolio, pioneering digital innovation, sustainability, and advanced materials for next generation products.
With his extensive industry expertise, strategic approach, and dedication to the community, the Greater Akron region and its leaders are confident in Mr. Dorfi's ability to sustain current progress and lead the initiatives within the Polymer Industry Cluster to advance the region’s industry towards global prominence.
“Hans has a track record of collaborating to bring innovations to market, a strategic mindset and a passion to improve our community. He is the ideal inspirational leader to take the Tech Hub forward to the next level and I am excited to have the opportunity to work with him in his new role,” said Mark Smale, Executive Director, Advanced Polymer Science at Bridgestone Americas and Co-Chair of the Polymer Industry Cluster.
“I am excited by the vision, leadership and industry experience Hans brings to our US Tech Hub, his global polymers innovation experience and sustainability passion will accelerate us forward promoting the Polymer Industry Cluster in northeast Ohio and establishing our capabilities worldwide,” said Raymond Somich, Global Director of Government and External Affairs at Synthomer and Vice Chair of the Polymer Industry Cluster.
“Dr. Dorfi’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for the Polymer Industry Cluster,” said Erin Spring, Senior Director of Global Material Science at Goodyear, and Co-Chair of the Polymer Industry Cluster. “This role is key to advancing our shared goal of making Greater Akron a global hub for polymer innovation. His industry experience and leadership will be instrumental in driving collaboration and continued growth across sectors.”
“The appointment of Hans Dorfi as Executive Director and Chief Innovation Officer of the Polymer Industry Cluster marks a pivotal step in our region’s journey toward global leadership in sustainable polymers. With his vision and experience, we are strengthening the collaboration between industry, research, and government—and leveraging our county’s world-class expertise in polymers to drive innovation, create jobs, and lead the world toward a more sustainable future,” said Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro.
“Hans has been a longtime leader in sustainable polymers, and I am thrilled that he is taking on this new role as we work to build a backbone economy around sustainable polymers to power Akron’s future,” said Akron Mayor Shammas Malik.
“As a key player in the Polymer Industry Cluster, The University of Akron looks forward to working alongside Hans Dorfi and supporting him as executive director and chief innovation officer. Our polymer faculty and students are working on the cutting edge of research and development,” said R.J. Nemer, President of The University of Akron. “As number one in the world for polymers, the University is poised to continue our important work as a member of the industry cluster and looks forward to trailblazing efforts with Dr. Dorfi at the helm.”
“As an early investor in the Polymer Industry Cluster work, GAR Foundation is thrilled to welcome Hans Dorfi into this leadership role,” said Christine Amer Mayer, President of GAR Foundation. “Hans brings deep industry knowledge, as well as long-standing relationships and community connections. We are eager to see how he will supercharge the work for the benefit of Greater Akron.”
“Hans Dorfi’s appointment represents another significant step forward for the Polymer Industry Cluster and the region,” said Steve Fritsch, Vice President of Industry Advancement and Engagement at Team NEO. “Having worked with Hans in his previous role, I’m very confident in his expertise, leadership and vision for advancing this important initiative. I’m excited about continuing our collaboration to drive polymers innovation and growth across this critical sector of Northeast Ohio’s economy.”
“Hans Dorfi is a visionary leader who understands both the legacy and the future potential of our region’s polymer industry. As Board Chair of Bounce Innovation Hub, he has consistently championed innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurship,” said Jessica Sublett, President & Chief Executive Officer at Bounce Innovation Hub. “His appointment as Executive Director and Chief Innovation Officer of the Polymer Industry Cluster is a tremendous win for Northeast Ohio, and I look forward to the impact his leadership will have on strengthening our ecosystem and advancing next-generation materials innovation.
ABOUT DR. HANS DORFI
A champion of open innovation and ecosystem building, Dorfi has been a key figure in the work of the industry. From invited speaker roles at industry technology conferences to board roles in startups, academic-industry consortia, and non-profits, he has been active advising and shaping the work of those in the industry. Dorfi also currently serves as the board chair of Bounce Innovation Hub and was a part of the early efforts to create the Polymer Industry Cluster and has served on a variety of committees related to the Cluster’s work.
Dorfi holds advanced engineering degrees from The Ohio State University and Vienna University of Technology and has served as adjunct faculty at the University of Akron and industry advisor to institutions such as Stanford, The Ohio State University and Virginia Tech.
As a long-time resident of Akron, Dorfi is committed to driving economic growth within the region with a global perspective, deep technical knowledge, and a track record of aligning cross-sector partners. His passion for innovation and commercialization makes him uniquely suited to lead PIC’s bold vision for Greater Akron as a global hub for next-generation polymer technologies.
ABOUT THE POLYMER INDUSTRY CLUSTER
Known as the “Polymer Capital of the World,” Greater Akron has a rich history rooted in rubber and polymer production, and it continues to evolve as a center for advanced materials and manufacturing. Home to world-class polymer companies, research institutions, and a skilled workforce, this region uniquely balances legacy expertise with forward-thinking innovation. Northeast Ohio’s ecosystem has established itself as a leader in polymers, with a concentration of polymer manufacturers, research institutions, and universities driving next-generation technologies in areas such as sustainable materials, advanced manufacturing, and smart polymers.
Through collaboration with private industry, universities, and government and non-profit partners, the Polymer Industry Cluster builds on this foundation by advancing research, workforce development, commercialization pathways, and sustainability practices. Designated by the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration as the U.S. Sustainable Polymer Tech Hub and by the State of Ohio Department of Development as the Greater Akron Polymer Innovation Hub, Greater Akron is focused on driving solutions to the industry’s most significant sustainability and materials innovation challenges to drive impact across sectors like automotive, healthcare, aerospace, and consumer goods.
ABOUT THE GREATER AKRON CHAMBER
The Greater Akron Chamber (GAC) is the region’s metropolitan chamber of commerce serving both its business membership and functioning as a regional economic development organization. GAC serves as a critical convener of economic development efforts in the region, helping to align resources, stakeholders, and initiatives that support a thriving local economy. As a trusted partner to government, industry, and the community, GAC works to enhance the quality of life, attract investment, and drive economic progress for the region. Over the last three years, GAC has worked to catalyze more than $100 million in investment in support of the work of the Polymer Industry Cluster to leverage the region’s legacy and advantage to accelerate impactful innovation that can put the region on a higher growth trajectory.
GAC is committed to advancing the Polymer Industry Cluster as a strategic priority, given its potential to drive innovation, generate high-quality jobs, and promote sustainable practices. GAC actively supports the cluster’s initiatives, whether by connecting industry leaders, advocating for supportive policies, or fostering an ecosystem where polymer businesses can thrive.