Shawn Whitman Joins FMC Corporation as Vice President of Government Affairs, Succeeds Retiring Industry Veteran Jerry Prout

PHILADELPHIA, April 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- FMC Corporation (NYSE: FMC) has named Shawn Whitman as vice president of Government Affairs.  He succeeds Jerry Prout who will retire in July after a 34-year career with FMC.

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Whitman will lead the specialty chemical company's global government affairs function and will serve as FMC's key liaison with policy makers, industry associations and other stakeholders in the federal government and associated agencies.  He has served in a variety of leadership roles during his nearly 20 years working in state and federal government affairs, including staff assistant to Senator Alan Simpson, chief of staff for the late Senator Craig Thomas, and chief of staff for Senator John Barrasso.  He most recently was a principal with bipartisan consulting firm Kountoupes Denham.

"Shawn is a seasoned leader with deep capabilities across the political landscape," said Pierre Brondeau, FMC president, CEO, and chairman of the board.  "His broad experience, ranging from public policy and advocacy management to constituency outreach and bipartisan coalition development, will serve him well in his new role."

Whitman will report to Brondeau and will be based at FMC's office in Washington, D.C. 

Brondeau acknowledged Jerry Prout's more than three decades of service to FMC.  "Jerry has been the voice of FMC Corporation in Washington and in state capitals across the U.S. since the 1980s, and today is recognized as one of the elite corporate government affairs leaders in our industry.  He is well known for his sound judgment, political savvy and warm personality, and will be greatly missed by his FMC colleagues," Brondeau said.  "I wish him a long, healthy and well earned retirement."

About FMC

FMC Corporation is a diversified chemical company serving agricultural, industrial, environmental, and consumer markets globally for more than a century with innovative solutions, applications and quality products.  In 2012, FMC had annual sales of approximately $3.7 billion.  The company employs approximately 5,700 people throughout the world, and operates its businesses in three segments: Agricultural Products, Specialty Chemicals and Industrial Chemicals.  For more information, visit www.FMC.com.

SOURCE FMC Corporation