President & CEO
Wilbur-Ellis
John Buckley is a dynamic and results-oriented executive with a distinguished career leading global, growth-focused organizations across the chemical, agricultural, and industrial sectors. As President and CEO of Wilbur-Ellis, he became the first non-family leader in the company’s century-long history, spearheading its transformation into a modern, innovation-driven agricultural enterprise. Under his leadership, the company executed four major acquisitions totaling $300 million, including the largest in its history, and restructured its portfolio to emphasize product development and innovation.
Prior to Wilbur-Ellis, John served as CEO of Air Liquide USA, where he unified a $3 billion business under the “One AL” initiative and led the integration of Airgas, delivering $50 million in cost synergies. His earlier leadership roles include President of AgroFresh Inc., where he tripled revenue and orchestrated a successful $860 million spin-off, and Global GM & President of Angus Chemical at Dow, where he expanded the research pipeline and built a global leadership team. His career began at Rohm and Haas, where he held diverse roles across Latin America and the U.S., gaining deep operational and commercial expertise.
John currently serves on the boards of Milliken & Company and Michelman, Inc., contributing to governance, audit, and compensation committees. His cross-cultural leadership is further enriched by fluency in Spanish and Portuguese, and a strong track record in M&A, strategic planning, and talent development. He is also a committed community leader, serving on the boards of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Philadelphia and The Center in Houston, and as President of The Monica T. Buckley Foundation.
A graduate of Villanova University with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering (with honors), John brings a rare combination of technical acumen, global perspective, and visionary leadership. His ability to drive transformation while fostering strong organizational cultures has made him a trusted leader in both public and private enterprises.