By JESS MANCINI

POSTED: January 7, 2010

PARKERSBURG - DuPont Wednesday named a new plant manager at the Washington Works Plant.

Karl J. Boelter's appointment was effective Friday, the company said in a release issued Wednesday afternoon.

Boelter, a graduate from Villanova and Lehigh University, started his career with the chemical giant in 1985 at the Washington Works. He is the 15th manager at the plant and succeeds William H. "Bill" Hopkins, who retired last Friday.

Boelter said it was an honor and plans to carry on where Hopkins left off and build upon DuPont's core values of improving safety, concern for the environment and respect for the community, and continue to challenge and motivate the workplace to reach and exceed its potential.

"I'm extremely excited," he said.

He and his wife, Ann, live in Vienna and have three children. Maggie, 17, is a student at Parkersburg Catholic High School where she excels on the basketball team. John, 19, is a student at High Point (N.C.) University and Chris, 21, is a nursing student at Marshall University at Huntington. John and Chris were graduated from Parkersburg Catholic.

Boelter is a native of Niagara Falls, N.Y.

He has served in chemical engineering, manufacturing, marketing and managerial roles for DuPont in Texas, Delaware and Ontario, Canada. He returned to the Washington Works in 2001 and has held various leadership positions, the company said.

"The strength of the site is its dedicated work force and demonstrated resilience during times of change. The future of the site is strong and I'm energized by the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead," Boelter said.

Boelter graduated from Villanova University with a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering in 1983. He received a master's degree in chemical engineering in 1985.

"Sounds like DuPont is on top of everything," said Karen Facemyer, president of the Polymer Alliance Zone of Wood, Jackson and Mason counties.

Facemyer said she has spoken with several people affiliated with the plant and they are excited with Boelter's appointment. Boelter has their confidence and has a good reputation at the plant, she said.

"I wish him all the success," Facemyer said.

Boelter has local ties from the years he's been here, said Keith Burdette, president of the Wood County Development Authority. That's good for the community, Burdette said.

"He's got some local connections. So that's good news," Burdette said. "We're anxious to work him."

The Washington Works plant celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2008. The company, founded in 1802, has facilities in more than 70 countries, including in Wood and Kanawha counties in West Virginia, and offers a range of products and services for markets, including agriculture and food, building and construction, communications and transportation.

Among products made at Washington Works are Delrin, Teflon and Zytel.