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K-C's Stargel Among Top 100 Most Influential Blacks in Corporate America

Kimberly-Clark, Dallas, Texas, USA, reports that Robert N. "Bob" Stargel Jr., VP of Global Nonwovens, has been named to Savoy Magazine's 2012 list of "Most Influential Blacks in Corporate America." The Top 100 listing showcases a cross section of national and international business leaders and executives representing a diverse range of industries who demonstrate leadership and influence within their company and community.

Stargel, who was also recognized on this prestigious list in 2010, was honored this year alongside influential executives such as Ursula M. Burns, chairman and CEO of Xerox; Kenneth I. Chenault, chairman and CEO of American Express; Kenneth C. Frazier, chairman, CEO, and president of Merck; Clarence Otis Jr., chairman and CEO of Darden Restaurants; Richard D. Parsons, chairman of Citigroup; and Don Thompson, president and COO of McDonalds.

"This year's Top 100 features an elite group of executives entrusted with leadership at the highest levels of America's corporations," said L.P. Green II, publisher of Savoy Magazine. "Savoy is proud to feature professionals boldly redefining and representing leadership in their respective organizations through our list."

Stargel said that "I am truly grateful for this recognition and honored to share it with such a distinguished group of individuals. At Kimberly-Clark, we are dedicated to helping local communities build a better future. This recognition underscores the importance of that commitment as well as my personal commitment to give back. When we give back to the communities where we live, work and play, we all benefit."

As head of K-C's nonwovens business, Stargel oversees the development, commercialization and supply of materials used to support the company's branded personal health and hygiene products. The business includes seven manufacturing facilities, a centralized research and engineering team, as well as planning, finance, and staff manufacturing operations.

Throughout his K-C career, which began in 1984 as an entry-level electrical engineer, Stargel has worked in various divisions including Engineering, Research, Manufacturing, and Marketing, and has held positions of increasing responsibility and leadership. Outside of K-C, Stargel also lends his time and expertise to a number of organizations. Currently, he serves on the board of the Peachtree Regional FIRST Robotics Division and the European Disposables and Nonwovens Association (EDANA); the finance committees for the Georgia Council of Economics Education, the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) Women in Engineering, and the College of Engineering at Georgia Tech. He is also on the executive committee of the Georgia Tech Alumni Association.

In 2007, Stargel received the Rodney D. Chip Memorial Award by the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) in recognition of his commitment and support to help women succeed in engineering. He was inducted into the Council of Outstanding Young Engineering Alumni for The Georgia Institute of Technology in 1996. Stargel is a Georgia Tech graduate.