Billy B. Barden, Global Digitalization Director, Dow Inc.

Billy B. Bardin is the Global Digitalization Director for Dow Inc. He is
responsible for ensuring the development of a well-integrated and fully
developed digital strategy to realize the vision of Digital Dow and the end to
end connectivity necessary to make it a reality. He leads efforts to explore,
evaluate and implement emerging and next generation digital technologies
that are required to maintain and improve Dow’s competitive position. He
also drives initiatives to ensure Dow’s workforce has the required skills,
characteristics, and training to be digital ready.

Bardin began his career in 2000 with Union Carbide/Dow in the Catalyst Skill
Center in South Charleston, W. Va. where he led alternative feedstock and catalytic process development
programs. In 2001, he joined the Chemicals Sciences group within Core R&D, leading programs in the
areas of alternative feedstocks, paraffin functionalization, and olefin partial oxidation. While in Chemical
Sciences, Bardin relocated to Dow facilities in Midland, Mich.; Horgen, Switzerland; and Terneuzen, The
Netherlands as leader for the development of Dow’s high throughput heterogeneous catalyst testing
capability. In 2007, Bardin was named leader for the North American Production Support Group within
the Hydrocarbons and Energy business in Freeport, Texas. He led efforts in cracker plant support and
developed R&D programs in next generation cracker technology.

In 2008 Bardin, accepted the combined role of R&D Director for Chemicals and The Dow Technology
Licensing and Catalyst (DTLC) Business where he drove both internal R&D programs and
technology/catalyst development efforts for licensee sales. In 2010, Bardin became R&D Director for the
Feedstocks, Hydrocarbons and Chemicals businesses, leading the technology strategy for Dow’s
hydrocarbons and alternative feedstock efforts and developing options to provide cost advantaged
chemical feedstocks to Dow’s downstream product portfolio. Bardin was named Global Operations
Technology Director in 2014 where he drove technology and innovation strategy within Manufacturing and
Engineering (M&E), had oversight of all commercial technology performance, as well as development of
technical talent across manufacturing and supporting operations. In 2016, he assumed additional
responsibilities as the Manufacturing 4.0 Director. He was named to his current role in digitalization in
2020.

Bardin holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from North Carolina State University, and a
Master of Science and a Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering from the University of Virginia.
He is a Registered, Professional Engineer (PE) with the West Virginia State Board of Registration for
Professional Engineers. Bardin is currently the President-Elect for the American Institute of Chemical
Engineers (AIChE) and will be the 2023 AIChE President. He was first elected to the Board of Directors
for the AIChE in 2016 and is a Fellow of the Institute. Bardin is an executive member and past Chair of
the Industrial Advisory Board for the School of Chemical Engineering at Purdue University and a member
of the advisory boards for the Departments of Chemical Engineering at the University of Virginia and
North Carolina State University. Bardin was founding chair of the RAPID advanced manufacturing
institute. He is currently vice-chair of the board of directors for the MxD advanced manufacturing institute.
Bardin is a member of the National Association of Manufacturers’ Manufacturing Leadership Council and
the AspenTech Executive Advisory Board. In 2011, Bardin was named the University of Virginia School
of Engineering and Applied Science Outstanding Young Graduate Alumnus and was selected for the
National Academy of Engineers Frontiers of Engineering Program. Bardin and his teams have received
multiple awards from the National Association of Manufacturers’ Manufacturing Leadership Council for
work in talent development and advanced manufacturing. He was named as one of Smart Industry
Magazines Top 50 Industrial Digital Transformation Leaders in 2018 and was recognized as a Visionary
Digital Leader by the National Association of Manufacturers’ Manufacturing Leadership Council in 2021.