Ashland Inc. announced Thursday that it has hired from within to find a new president for The Valvoline Co., selecting Samuel J. Mitchell Jr. The 40-year-old Mitchell succeeds James J. OBrien, who in November was named group operating officer for Ashlands chemical operations.
Mitchell has been with Valvoline for five years, most recently as vice president and general manager of its retail business, and was credited by the Covington, Ky., company with the marketing success of MaxLife, a motor oil marketed specifically for high-mileage cars.
Before joining Valvoline, Mitchell worked for eight years in brand and category management for The Clorox Co. He holds a bachelors degree in business administration from Miami University (Ohio) and a masters degree of business administration from the University of Chicago.