BUSINESS' CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
IN ASIA'S NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

While there are few who would dispute Asia's incredible economic growth in the past 20 years, there are also few who would dispute the enormous environmental cost that has come with it, nor the potential that depleting aquifers, shrinking forest cover and other testimonies to this cost have to curb the region's economic expansion. Using their experience conducting business in Asia as a basis for discussion, panelists Pat Dawson (Dow Chemical) and James Allen (Chevron Corporation) will reflect on both how the natural environment might challenge their organizations' opportunities for expansion, as well as opportunities and innovations they see within these challenges. Although the degree of influence that environmental considerations will have is unclear, one thing is certain: business leaders cannot disregard the importance of the environment as a part of their organization's future well being in Asia.

Prof. Tom Gladwin

Max McGraw Professor of Sustainable Enterprise and Associate-Director of the Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise, jointly in the Stephen M. Ross School of Business and School of Natural Resources and Environment at The University of Michigan

Tom received a B.S. with Honors and Distinction from the University of Delaware in 1970, an M.B.A. with Distinction from the University of Michigan in 1971, and a Ph.D. in International Business and Natural Resource Policy from the University of Michigan in 1975.  He assumed the Max McGraw Professorship of Sustainable Enterprise and Directorship of the  Frederick A. and Barbara M. Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise at the University of Michigan in 1998.  Tom teaches courses on systems thinking, global change and sustainable enterprise.  He is also the recipient of 30 foundation and academic awards for research on ecologically and socially sustainable commerce, including major awards from the National Science Foundation and the Energy Foundation. Tom is also the author/co-author of over 140 articles, cases and chapters on international and environmental management and eight books including:  Environment, Planning and the Multinational Corporation (1977), Building the Sustainable Corporation: Creating Environmental Sustainability and Corporate Advantage (1992), Sustainable Economy Dialogue (2006), and Global Megaforces, Sustainability and Human Destiny (4) (in process).

Tom and his family reside on a farm just outside Ann Arbor where they recently converted their horse barn into a solar-passive environmental retreat center for use by University and community groups.

Mr. Pat D. Dawson

Business Group President, Polyurethanes,
The Dow Chemical Company

Topic: "EH&S Challenges and Opportunities for Dow in China"

Pat D. Dawson is the group president for the Polyurethanes business of The Dow Chemical Company. 

Dawson began his career in 1980 in the Marketing Development Program in the New York Sales office.  Following a series of sales and marketing positions in Performance Products, Dawson was named group marketing manager for Emulsion Polymers North America in 1991.  He became business manufacturing manager for Fabricated Products in 1994 and later assumed additional roles of global business director for Engineered Laminates.  In 1996, he became commercial director for Specialty Chemicals in the Pacific area and was located in Hong Kong. 

In 1999, was named business director for the Global Polyglycols Business and he relocated to Midland.  Dawson was appointed business vice president for the Oxide Derivatives global business unit, and also business director for Oxygenated Solvents in 2000.   He assumed his current role in January, 2004.

Mr. Levon Hachigian

Director, Environmental Operations and International Support GM Worldwide Facilities Group - Environmental Services General Motors Corporation

Topic: TBD

Levon (Lee) Hachigian is the Director of Environmental Operations and International Support in General Motors Worldwide Facilities Group.

Lee began his career in 1977 as an Environmental Engineer supporting and later managing environmental activities at the Hydramatic Division of General Motors Corporation in Ypsilanti, Michigan.   Lee spent 12 years at the plant and helped develop the environmental systems to comply with the ever increasing regulatory requirements in the U.S. during late 1970s and 1980s.

In 1989, Lee transferred to GM Environmental Activities Staff in Warren, MI as manager of Water Pollution Control activities.   In 1993, Lee was became the manager of Regulatory and Legislative Affairs under the newly organized Worldwide Facilities Group - Environmental Services.  

In 1995, Lee was transferred to the Public Policy Center to establish the GM Environmental Management System, and in 1997 was transferred back to the Worldwide Facilities Group to implement the system worldwide.  In 2004, Lee was promoted to Director of Environmental Operations and International Support.  Lee was assigned responsibility to globalize the facility environmental organization for GM, and oversee its environmental management systems, including environmental compliance, due diligence, permitting, and pollution prevention activities.    Lee is a Chemical Engineer by education (BS, University of Michigan), a licensed Professional Engineer, and a Certified Hazardous Material Manager.