In 2004, George Cornelius was elevated to the position of president and CEO of Arkema, Inc. He was responsible for all operations in the Americas, which included seven business units, an R&D and technology center, corporate staff functions, 18 manufacturing facilities, and commercial offices in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Brazil. The company’s revenues exceeded $2 billion and its headcount surpassed 2,000.

George’s passion for higher education led him to leave DCED to become president of Bridgewater College, a private nonprofit liberal arts college in Virginia. He guided the institution through a strategic planning process, quickly improving retention, increasing enrollment, initiating significant improvements to the academic and residential experience, establishing an international education center, prioritizing diversity, designing a leadership institute and improving the financial condition of the college.

George does some limited consulting work under the auspices of his company, Upslope Performance LLC, and also has worked with students at the local community college on a part-time basis as an academic advisor and adjunct instructor.