Rudy L. Shomo

Rudy L. Shomo, a native of Barbour County, graduated from West Virginia University with a BSChE degree in May 1961. He joined Union Carbide Corporation's Silicones Division as a process development engineer. After serving as a technical service representative and production engineer, he was appointed department head of the polymers unit in 1967. In 1973, Shomo became department head of the alkylbenzene and rigid polyol units at UCC's Institute plant in Charleston. A year later, he became production manager of the oxygenated solvents business team and remained in Charleston. In 1976, he became assistant plant manager at the Seadrift, Texas, polyolefins division plant, where he subsequently managed the maintenance and shift organizations, as well as, major operating units including UCC's new revolutionary low pressure polyethylene units.

In 1985, Shomo returned to West Virginia as plant manager of the Institute site. In 1986, he joined Rhone Poulenc Ag. Co. when UCC sold the Institute plant and the agricultural business to the French firm. While serving as Institute plant manager, he served on the board of directors of the West Virginia Manufacturer's Association, Chemical Industry Committee, Kanawha Valley Chamber of Commerce, the West Virginia State College Foundation, the American Heart Association and the Fund for the Arts. He served as vice president of government relations for the Kanawha Valley Chamber and membership director for the West Virginia Manufacturer's Association. In 1990, Shomo became director of manufacturing for Rhone Poulenc Ag. Co., and in 1991, became vice president, operations and planning for the Specialty Chemicals division of Rhone Poulenc in Cranbury, New Jersey. As a hobby, Shomo designed and built racing car engines and chassis while managing a racing team. He is a 4,000-hour instrument-rated pilot and is constructing a composite sport aircraft. He and his wife, Kathy, have four children and currently reside in Englishtown, New Jersey.