IISRP long-time leader James McGraw passes away

Houston, Texas - The International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers (IISRP) former managing director and CEO James McGraw passed away 8 June, it has been announced. 

“We are deeply saddened by his loss,” said Juan Ramon Salinas, said the current managing director & CEO of the IISRP in a statement 10 June. 

Aged 71, McGraw held a BS in mechanical engineering and an MS in engineering management.

He began his 40-year career in 1975 in Louisville at the American Synthetic Rubber Corp (ASRC) where he served in various positions for 23 years. 

He was involved with the IISRP for 36 years, serving as the chair and active committee member while employed by ASRC and subsequently as deputy, managing director and CEO for 17 years.

During McGraw’s tenure, IISRP membership expanded to include upstream companies, agents and distributors, the statement said. 

Under his leadership, IISRP developed single-product manufacturing benchmarking exercises, the life cycle
assessment project, and enhanced statistical exercises. 

McGraw began his transition into retirement in 2015 and was serving as advisor to the IISRP executive committee.