Metro Detroit native Leon C. Richardson is the founder and president of The Chemico Group, LLC, and (Chemico) one of the largest minority-owned chemical management and distribution companies in the United States. For 27 years, Richardson has guided what was originally Chemico Systems, Inc., from a single employee start-up to an internationally recognized player in the chemical and environmental services space. Today, Chemico employs more than 300 people across 22 states and three countries, and in 2015, saw sales of more than $100 million.
Chemico is a highly regarded Tier 1 supplier to automotive original equipment manufacturers and has been recognized as a General Motors “Supplier of the Year” for the past seven consecutive years. The company has received similar recognition from Toyota and Chrysler Capital. Beyond automotive, Chemico has made a name for itself in other industries, including aerospace and biopharmaceuticals.
Richardson is a passionate champion for Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) development. He is a long-time supporter of the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council (MMSDC) and currently serves on the organization’s Board of Directors. Richardson is a devoted mentor working formally and informally with up to 10 students or young professionals at any given time.
Richardson holds a business degree from the University of Maryland and is a United States Marine Corps veteran having served his country for eight years as a non-commissioned officer.
Paul Sinko is the Executive Vice President and COO for Chemico Systems, as well as the founding partner of the Chemico Group. Mr. Sinko is responsible for day-to-day operations for all of Chemico’s facilities and yields more than 22 years of knowledge and industry experience in chemical manufacturing, sales, and marketing.
Mr. Sinko has held the position of Executive Vice President since the company’s inception in 1989. Mr. Sinko has led Chemico Systems since the operation’s start as a 3-employee business to becoming a leading supplier of chemical products and management services within several leading industries including automotive, bio-tech and aerospace.
Prior to his time at Chemico, Mr. Sinko worked as a Sales Manager for a Fortune 500 chemical company after establishing his business career in the chemical industry in the areas of manufacturing and technical service.
Mr. Sinko attended Ford College business program.
Under the leadership of Mr. Sinko Chemico Systems has been recognized with many prestigious awards including: 2007 General Motors Supplier Environmental Excellence award; “1 of 50 Companies to Watch in Michigan” award in 2006; 2004 Regional Supplier of the Year by the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) and Michigan Minority Business Development Council (MMSDC) Supplier of the Year that same year.
Samuel Spencer was recently appointed Chief Financial Officer for The Chemico Group, where he is responsible for the company’s finance, accounting, mergers and acquisitions and IT activities. Mr. Spencer has years of experience in investment banking, corporate finance, cost engineering and management consulting. He most recently served as Vice President of Finance, Operations and Process at the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council where he oversaw multiple operational areas while advising middle market companies on mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Spencer’s specific experience includes significant work in complex capital structure solutions, buy-side and sell-side transactions, parametric cost modeling, risk management, manufacturing processes, sourcing, MRO/inventory management and supply chain management, primarily in the manufacturing sector. Prior to Chemico, Mr. Spencer held roles at Morgan Stanley’s Investment Banking Division (Chicago), USB Investment Bank (New York), Dana Holding Corporation (Toledo) and A.T. Kearney (Chicago). Mr. Spencer earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Northwestern University, and received his Six Sigma Green Belt certification. He attended The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where he received a Master of Business Administration degree specializing in Finance and Accounting.
Harry Seifert is the Vice President of Operations for The Chemico Group, LLC (Chemico). Prior to joining Chemico, Harry spent 15 years in the product development laboratory (Chemetall / Oakite and Haas TCM) where he was responsible for developing less hazardous and more environmentally friendly industrial chemical products. His areas of expertise include metalworking fluids, alkaline cleaners, and paint maintenance products.
Following his experience in the laboratory, he became involved in Chemical Management programs and has spent the last 20 years focusing on systems development and deployment, continuous improvement management, reduction of chemical usage, and the evaluation and implementation of new technologies to reduce the risk of using chemicals.
As the Vice President of Operations, he is responsible for managing all Chemico chemical management programs with respect to profitability and sustainability. Mr. Seifert is also actively involved in the development of marketing strategies and business plans for the Chemico Group.
Mr. Seifert holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Chemistry from New York University.
David MacLeod has nearly 20 years of experience in environmental and information management systems. Mr. MacLeod’s specific experience includes significant work with the development and implementation of Environmental Management Information Systems (EMIS). In addition, Mr. MacLeod has a strong background in all environmental aspects of chemical use, including Federal, State and local reporting requirements, permitting, and hazardous materials and waste management. Before joining Chemico, Mr. MacLeod spent 16+ years with a multinational engineering consulting firm, serving as Vice President of its Environmental Compliance and Reporting group, including its EMIS implementation practice. Mr. MacLeod’s degrees include a Bachelor’s of Chemical Engineering from the University of Detroit Mercy, and a MS in Hazardous Materials Management from Wayne State University.
As Vice President of Sales & Business Development, Chad Stackhouse is responsible for key customer management as well as developing and executing the sales strategies to drive revenue for the Chemico Group. Mr. Stackhouse has over 15 years of experience in chemical lifecycle management where he brings a diverse background in operations, new program implementation, product development, and new business development for a variety of commercial and federal clientele. He has developed chemical management programs for major multinational firms across automotive, aerospace, primary metals, and other industrial manufacturers. Prior to Chemico, Mr. Stackhouse served as the business development director for a government contractor where he was responsible for developing capture and strategic growth strategies with a variety of government agencies. Mr. Stackhouse has a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry and Zoology from Miami University.
Juan Lopez Araiza is the Executive Director for Chemico Mexico. Juan is an accomplished operations management professional with more than 20 years of experience, largely in the automotive industry.
Juan started his career with the Chemico Group in 2010 as a Process Engineer in the US. He then returned to Mexico to become the Business Manager for Chemico Mexico in 2012, and a year later he was promoted to Operations Manager managing the company; taking responsibilities on new program implementation, product development, and new business development.
In 2016 he was promoted to Executive Director of Mexico, where he has established a record of success in managing diverse teams, leading initiatives, and maximizing customer solutions, demonstrating his leadership capabilities in managing several teams all over the country.
Prior to joining Chemico in 2010, Juan spent the majority of her career working in Automobile Assemblyy Plants in Mexico in a variety of roles in the Paint Shop and General Assembly.
Juan is a graduate from EPCA University of Guanajuato Mexico.
HR Director
Executive Director of Automotive and Product Sales
Operations Manager
Metro Detroit native Leon C. Richardson is the founder and president of The Chemico Group, LLC, and (Chemico) one of the largest minority-owned chemical management and distribution companies in the United States. For 27 years, Richardson has guided what was originally Chemico Systems, Inc., from a single employee start-up to an internationally recognized player in the chemical and environmental services space. Today, Chemico employs more than 300 people across 22 states and three countries, and in 2015, saw sales of more than $100 million.
Chemico is a highly regarded Tier 1 supplier to automotive original equipment manufacturers and has been recognized as a General Motors “Supplier of the Year” for the past seven consecutive years. The company has received similar recognition from Toyota and Chrysler Capital. Beyond automotive, Chemico has made a name for itself in other industries, including aerospace and biopharmaceuticals.
Richardson is a passionate champion for Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) development. He is a long-time supporter of the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council (MMSDC) and currently serves on the organization’s Board of Directors. Richardson is a devoted mentor working formally and informally with up to 10 students or young professionals at any given time.
Richardson holds a business degree from the University of Maryland and is a United States Marine Corps veteran having served his country for eight years as a non-commissioned officer.
Paul Sinko is the Executive Vice President and COO for Chemico Systems, as well as the founding partner of the Chemico Group. Mr. Sinko is responsible for day-to-day operations for all of Chemico’s facilities and yields more than 22 years of knowledge and industry experience in chemical manufacturing, sales, and marketing.
Mr. Sinko has held the position of Executive Vice President since the company’s inception in 1989. Mr. Sinko has led Chemico Systems since the operation’s start as a 3-employee business to becoming a leading supplier of chemical products and management services within several leading industries including automotive, bio-tech and aerospace.
Prior to his time at Chemico, Mr. Sinko worked as a Sales Manager for a Fortune 500 chemical company after establishing his business career in the chemical industry in the areas of manufacturing and technical service.
Mr. Sinko attended Ford College business program.
Under the leadership of Mr. Sinko Chemico Systems has been recognized with many prestigious awards including: 2007 General Motors Supplier Environmental Excellence award; “1 of 50 Companies to Watch in Michigan” award in 2006; 2004 Regional Supplier of the Year by the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) and Michigan Minority Business Development Council (MMSDC) Supplier of the Year that same year.
Samuel Spencer was recently appointed Chief Financial Officer for The Chemico Group, where he is responsible for the company’s finance, accounting, mergers and acquisitions and IT activities. Mr. Spencer has years of experience in investment banking, corporate finance, cost engineering and management consulting. He most recently served as Vice President of Finance, Operations and Process at the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council where he oversaw multiple operational areas while advising middle market companies on mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Spencer’s specific experience includes significant work in complex capital structure solutions, buy-side and sell-side transactions, parametric cost modeling, risk management, manufacturing processes, sourcing, MRO/inventory management and supply chain management, primarily in the manufacturing sector. Prior to Chemico, Mr. Spencer held roles at Morgan Stanley’s Investment Banking Division (Chicago), USB Investment Bank (New York), Dana Holding Corporation (Toledo) and A.T. Kearney (Chicago). Mr. Spencer earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Northwestern University, and received his Six Sigma Green Belt certification. He attended The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where he received a Master of Business Administration degree specializing in Finance and Accounting.
Harry Seifert is the Vice President of Operations for The Chemico Group, LLC (Chemico). Prior to joining Chemico, Harry spent 15 years in the product development laboratory (Chemetall / Oakite and Haas TCM) where he was responsible for developing less hazardous and more environmentally friendly industrial chemical products. His areas of expertise include metalworking fluids, alkaline cleaners, and paint maintenance products.
Following his experience in the laboratory, he became involved in Chemical Management programs and has spent the last 20 years focusing on systems development and deployment, continuous improvement management, reduction of chemical usage, and the evaluation and implementation of new technologies to reduce the risk of using chemicals.
As the Vice President of Operations, he is responsible for managing all Chemico chemical management programs with respect to profitability and sustainability. Mr. Seifert is also actively involved in the development of marketing strategies and business plans for the Chemico Group.
Mr. Seifert holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Chemistry from New York University.
David MacLeod has nearly 20 years of experience in environmental and information management systems. Mr. MacLeod’s specific experience includes significant work with the development and implementation of Environmental Management Information Systems (EMIS). In addition, Mr. MacLeod has a strong background in all environmental aspects of chemical use, including Federal, State and local reporting requirements, permitting, and hazardous materials and waste management. Before joining Chemico, Mr. MacLeod spent 16+ years with a multinational engineering consulting firm, serving as Vice President of its Environmental Compliance and Reporting group, including its EMIS implementation practice. Mr. MacLeod’s degrees include a Bachelor’s of Chemical Engineering from the University of Detroit Mercy, and a MS in Hazardous Materials Management from Wayne State University.
As Vice President of Sales & Business Development, Chad Stackhouse is responsible for key customer management as well as developing and executing the sales strategies to drive revenue for the Chemico Group. Mr. Stackhouse has over 15 years of experience in chemical lifecycle management where he brings a diverse background in operations, new program implementation, product development, and new business development for a variety of commercial and federal clientele. He has developed chemical management programs for major multinational firms across automotive, aerospace, primary metals, and other industrial manufacturers. Prior to Chemico, Mr. Stackhouse served as the business development director for a government contractor where he was responsible for developing capture and strategic growth strategies with a variety of government agencies. Mr. Stackhouse has a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry and Zoology from Miami University.
Juan Lopez Araiza is the Executive Director for Chemico Mexico. Juan is an accomplished operations management professional with more than 20 years of experience, largely in the automotive industry.
Juan started his career with the Chemico Group in 2010 as a Process Engineer in the US. He then returned to Mexico to become the Business Manager for Chemico Mexico in 2012, and a year later he was promoted to Operations Manager managing the company; taking responsibilities on new program implementation, product development, and new business development.
In 2016 he was promoted to Executive Director of Mexico, where he has established a record of success in managing diverse teams, leading initiatives, and maximizing customer solutions, demonstrating his leadership capabilities in managing several teams all over the country.
Prior to joining Chemico in 2010, Juan spent the majority of her career working in Automobile Assemblyy Plants in Mexico in a variety of roles in the Paint Shop and General Assembly.
Juan is a graduate from EPCA University of Guanajuato Mexico.
HR Director
Executive Director of Automotive and Product Sales
Operations Manager
