Leon de Bruyn
President and Chief Executive Officer
Leon de Bruyn is the President and Chief Executive Officer for Lummus Technology, where he is responsible for the strategic direction of the company and leading all aspects Lummus’ global performance. He also serves on the board of directors of Chevron Lummus Global, a joint venture between Chevron and Lummus.
Mr. de Bruyn joined Lummus in 1993. During this career with the company, he has built executive experience in the downstream refining and petrochemicals industry, through technology development and licensing, catalyst supply and engineering, procurement and construction activities.
Prior to his current role as CEO, Mr. de Bruyn led the transformation of the Lummus Technology business from a subsidiary of McDermott International to a standalone company under the ownership of The Chatterjee Group and Rhône Capital.
Previously, Mr. de Bruyn was Managing Director of Chevron Lummus Global, a joint venture with Chevron, where he was responsible for the company strategy, P&L, sales and operations for the supply of technologies, engineering services and catalysts to refineries.
Mr. de Bruyn holds a master’s degree in business administration from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, and a master’s degree in chemical engineering from Eindhoven University for Technology in The Netherlands. He has lived and worked in eight countries.
Mr. de Bruyn joined Lummus in 1993. During this career with the company, he has built executive experience in the downstream refining and petrochemicals industry, through technology development and licensing, catalyst supply and engineering, procurement and construction activities.
Prior to his current role as CEO, Mr. de Bruyn led the transformation of the Lummus Technology business from a subsidiary of McDermott International to a standalone company under the ownership of The Chatterjee Group and Rhône Capital.
Previously, Mr. de Bruyn was Managing Director of Chevron Lummus Global, a joint venture with Chevron, where he was responsible for the company strategy, P&L, sales and operations for the supply of technologies, engineering services and catalysts to refineries.
Mr. de Bruyn holds a master’s degree in business administration from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, and a master’s degree in chemical engineering from Eindhoven University for Technology in The Netherlands. He has lived and worked in eight countries.
Norby 'Buck' Foss
Chief Legal Officer
Norby ‘Buck’ Foss is the Chief Legal Officer for Lummus Technology, where he is responsible for overseeing all legal matters for the company.
Mr. Foss has more than 25 years of legal experience. Prior to his current role, he served as General Counsel for McDermott’s Lummus Technology business. He also served as CB&I’s Chief Intellectual Property Counsel, where he managed IP for all CB&I companies, negotiated and performed legal functions for all investment and divestment of intellectual property assets.
Mr. Foss is licensed to practice law in Illinois, New Jersey, Texas and before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Prior to his legal career he served as an officer in the U.S. Navy.
Mr. Foss holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Rice University in Houston, Texas, and a juris doctor from Chicago-Kent School of Law in Chicago, Illinois.
Mr. Foss has more than 25 years of legal experience. Prior to his current role, he served as General Counsel for McDermott’s Lummus Technology business. He also served as CB&I’s Chief Intellectual Property Counsel, where he managed IP for all CB&I companies, negotiated and performed legal functions for all investment and divestment of intellectual property assets.
Mr. Foss is licensed to practice law in Illinois, New Jersey, Texas and before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Prior to his legal career he served as an officer in the U.S. Navy.
Mr. Foss holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Rice University in Houston, Texas, and a juris doctor from Chicago-Kent School of Law in Chicago, Illinois.
Ajay Gami
Chief Development Officer
Ajay Gami is Lummus' Chief Development Officer. In this role, Mr. Gami is responsible for helping grow the company’s technology portfolio organically and through investment, and pursuing new partnerships for the energy transition and acquisition opportunities to broaden Lummus’ technology portfolio. He is also responsible for sales forecasting, and Lummus’ strategic alliance partnerships and strategic accounts.
Mr. Gami spent nearly 30 years with Lummus, from 1990 to 2018. During this time, he served in several technical and commercial roles and developed a deep understanding of Lummus’ technology portfolio. Prior to rejoining Lummus in 2022, he served as a Director and Board Member of INEOS U.S. Chemicals Co. where he was responsible for developing long-term business growth strategies focusing on potential collaborations, mergers and acquisitions.
Mr. Gami holds a master’s degree in business administration from Rutgers University, a master’s degree in chemical engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, and a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Baroda. He is also a registered professional engineer in Pennsylvania and holds three U.S. patents.
Ujjal Mukherjee
Chief Technology Officer
Ujjal Mukherjee is Lummus’ Chief Technology Officer (CTO). He is responsible for driving cross-company initiatives to enhance and grow Lummus’ existing portfolio and champion the company’s technology solutions to strategic customers. Mr. Mukherjee also leads the development of advanced technology solutions that place Lummus at the forefront of our industry, the energy transition and digitalization. Additionally, he serves as a Lummus Fellow, a distinguished role in which he helps lead the organization’s knowledge transfer and development initiatives in key technology areas.
Prior to being appointed CTO, Mr. Mukherjee served as Vice President and Managing Director of Chevron Lummus Global, a joint venture between Chevron and Lummus. He began his career with Lummus in 1990, and has developed expertise in clean fuels, petrochemicals and emerging technologies. He has 49 issued U.S. patents and many of the processes he invented have been successfully commercialized, including LC-MAX technology and integrated hydrocracking.
Mr. Mukherjee holds a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from National Institute of Technology in India, a master’s degree in Chemical and Petroleum Engineering from ENSPM in France, and a master’s degree in business administration from Rutgers University in the U.S.
Prior to being appointed CTO, Mr. Mukherjee served as Vice President and Managing Director of Chevron Lummus Global, a joint venture between Chevron and Lummus. He began his career with Lummus in 1990, and has developed expertise in clean fuels, petrochemicals and emerging technologies. He has 49 issued U.S. patents and many of the processes he invented have been successfully commercialized, including LC-MAX technology and integrated hydrocracking.
Mr. Mukherjee holds a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from National Institute of Technology in India, a master’s degree in Chemical and Petroleum Engineering from ENSPM in France, and a master’s degree in business administration from Rutgers University in the U.S.
Helion Sardina
Chief Commercial Officer
Helion Sardina is the Chief Commercial Officer for Lummus Technology, where he is responsible for overseeing all aspects of sales and business development for the entire company.
Mr. Sardina has spent his entire career with the company. Prior to his current role, he served as the head of sales for McDermott’s Lummus Technology business.
Through a series of positions with increasing responsibilities, he has developed functional expertise in technology evaluation, operations, sales and marketing, contracting, strategic planning, negotiating skills and general management. His previous roles included Vice President, Operations and Vice President, Petrochemicals Business Group.
Mr. Sardina holds a master’s degree in chemical engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. He also holds two patents for Lummus technologies.
Mr. Sardina has spent his entire career with the company. Prior to his current role, he served as the head of sales for McDermott’s Lummus Technology business.
Through a series of positions with increasing responsibilities, he has developed functional expertise in technology evaluation, operations, sales and marketing, contracting, strategic planning, negotiating skills and general management. His previous roles included Vice President, Operations and Vice President, Petrochemicals Business Group.
Mr. Sardina holds a master’s degree in chemical engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. He also holds two patents for Lummus technologies.
Romain Lemoine
Chief Business Officer, Polymers and Petrochemicals
Romain Lemoine is the Chief Business Officer for Lummus’ Polymers and Petrochemicals operating segment, responsible for the division’s strategic direction and performance.
During Mr. Lemoine’s career, he has established expertise in distillation, reaction engineering, optimization, technology development and commercialization, and several other areas that have allowed him to ascend to roles of increasing importance and responsibility.
During Mr. Lemoine’s career, he has established expertise in distillation, reaction engineering, optimization, technology development and commercialization, and several other areas that have allowed him to ascend to roles of increasing importance and responsibility.
Mr. Lemoine spent eight years with Lummus, where he focused primarily on research and development, technology development and commercialization. He also held various R&D roles at ExxonMobil Chemical, Rentech and Sasol. Prior to rejoining Lummus in 2022, Mr. Lemoine served as Executive Vice President of Technology and Technology Support at Axens.
Mr. Lemoine holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in chemical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and a diplome d’ingenieur in chemical engineering from ENSCL in France.
Rutger Theunissen
Chief Business Officer, Services and Supplies
Rutger Theunissen is the Chief Business Officer for Lummus’ Services and Supplies operating segment, responsible for the strategic direction and performance of Lummus’ global heat transfer, lifecycle services and consulting businesses. These businesses focus on maximizing the operational performance during every major phase of our customers’ investments.
Mr. Theunissen has nearly 30 years of industry experience where he has held management roles of increasing responsibility and importance.
Prior to his current role, he led Lummus’ business that designs and supplies ethylene furnaces, refinery heaters and specialized heat exchangers for the downstream processing industry.
Mr. Theunissen holds a master’s degree in chemical engineering from Delft University of Technology in The Netherlands, and a master’s degree in business administration from INSEAD Business School in France
Mr. Theunissen has nearly 30 years of industry experience where he has held management roles of increasing responsibility and importance.
Prior to his current role, he led Lummus’ business that designs and supplies ethylene furnaces, refinery heaters and specialized heat exchangers for the downstream processing industry.
Mr. Theunissen holds a master’s degree in chemical engineering from Delft University of Technology in The Netherlands, and a master’s degree in business administration from INSEAD Business School in France
Ron Venner
Chief Business Officer, Clean Fuels
Ron Venner is the Chief Business Officer for Lummus’ Clean Fuels operating segment in 2022, responsible for the strategic direction and performance of Lummus’ clean fuels and crude-to-chemicals businesses, as well as the joint venture, Chevron Lummus Global.
Mr. Venner has 45 years of experience in process engineering, technology licensing, sales and marketing.
Prior to his current role, he led Lummus’ petrochemicals business, which included CATOFIN, ethylbenzene, styrene, butadiene extraction, cumene, phenol, paraxylene and carbonates technologies.
Mr. Venner holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a master’s degree in chemical engineering from Manhattan College.
Mr. Venner has 45 years of experience in process engineering, technology licensing, sales and marketing.
Prior to his current role, he led Lummus’ petrochemicals business, which included CATOFIN, ethylbenzene, styrene, butadiene extraction, cumene, phenol, paraxylene and carbonates technologies.
Mr. Venner holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a master’s degree in chemical engineering from Manhattan College.