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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 17, 2020 (April 15, 2020)
CELANESE CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
 
 
 
Delaware
 
001-32410
 
98-0420726
 
 
 
 
 
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
 
(Commission File
Number)
 
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
222 West Las Colinas Blvd. Suite 900N, Irving, TX 75039
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (972) 443-4000

N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
☐   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class
Trading Symbol(s)
 Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share
CE
The New York Stock Exchange
1.125% Senior Notes due 2023
CE /23
The New York Stock Exchange
1.250% Senior Notes due 2025
CE /25
The New York Stock Exchange
2.125% Senior Notes due 2027
CE /27
The New York Stock Exchange
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Emerging growth company  ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

1

Item 5.02
Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On April 15, 2020, Mark C. Rohr notified the Board of Directors of Celanese Corporation (the “Company”) that he intends to retire as a director of the Company on June 1, 2020. Mr. Rohr will continue to serve on the Board of Directors until his retirement.
On April 15, 2020, the Board of Directors appointed Lori J. Ryerkerk, the Company’s current Chief Executive Officer and President, and a director, to serve as Chairman of the Board, effective after the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2020 Annual Meeting”) on April 16, 2020.
A copy of the Company’s press release dated April 16, 2020 relating to the resignation and appointment is attached as Exhibit 99.1.
Item 5.07
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
On April 16, 2020, the Company held its 2020 Annual Meeting in a virtual mode at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CE2020. The Company’s stockholders were asked to consider and vote upon three proposals: (1) election of ten Directors to the Board to serve for a term that expires at the annual meeting of stockholders in 2021 or until their successors are duly elected and qualified or their earlier resignation or retirement; (2) ratification of the selection of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2020; and (3) advisory vote to approve executive compensation.
As of the 2020 Annual Meeting record date of February 18, 2020, there were 119,566,232 shares of the Company’s Common Stock issued and outstanding and entitled to be voted at the 2020 Annual Meeting, if represented in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting. A total of 107,991,463 shares were voted in person or by proxy (90.31% quorum). For each proposal, the stockholder voting results were as follows:
1. Election of Directors. Each of the Director nominees was elected to serve for a term which expires at the annual meeting of stockholders in 2021 by the votes set forth in the table below.
Nominee
 
Voted For
 
Voted Against
 
Abstain
 
Broker Non-Votes
Jean S. Blackwell
 
101,749,123
 
2,060,338
 
29,312
 
4,152,690
William M. Brown
 
103,722,808
 
87,100
 
28,865
 
4,152,690
Edward G. Galante
 
101,398,383
 
2,410,645
 
29,745
 
4,152,690
Kathryn M. Hill
 
100,775,261
 
3,034,075
 
29,437
 
4,152,690
David S. Hoffmeister
 
99,930,304
 
3,861,634
 
46,835
 
4,152,690
Jay V. Ihlenfeld
 
101,735,835
 
2,073,212
 
29,726
 
4,152,690
Mark C.Rohr
 
102,571,300
 
1,215,380
 
52,093
 
4,152,690
Kim K.W. Rucker
 
103,705,103
 
105,384
 
28,286
 
4,152,690
Lori J. Ryerkerk
 
103,012,393
 
798,935
 
27,445
 
4,152,690
John K. Wulff
 
99,493,160
 
4,297,520
 
48,093
 
4,152,690
2. Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. The appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2020 was ratified by the stockholders by the votes set forth in the table below.
Voted For
 
Voted Against
 
Abstain
106,469,029
 
1,500,113
 
22,321
3. Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation. The stockholders approved, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in the Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting, by the votes set forth in the table below.
Voted For
 
Voted Against
 
Abstain
 
Broker Non-Votes
95,179,188
 
8,496,343
 
163,242
 
4,152,690

2

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
Exhibit
Number
 
 
 
Description
 
 
 
99.1
 
104
 
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

3

SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
 
CELANESE CORPORATION
 
 
By:
/s/ JAMES R. PEACOCK III 
 
Name:  
James R. Peacock III 
 
Title:  
Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Assistant Corporate Secretary 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
April 17, 2020
 

4


Exhibit 99.1
CELOGOA02A01A10A01A02A01A28.JPG
 
Celanese Corporation
 
222 West Las Colinas Blvd.
 
Suite 900N
 
Irving, Texas 75039
Chief Executive Officer Lori Ryerkerk Named Chairman

Mark Rohr to retire from Celanese’s Board of Directors


DALLAS (April 16, 2020) - Celanese Corporation (NYSE: CE), a global chemical and specialty materials company, today announced that Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors Mark Rohr has elected to retire from the Board effective June 1, 2020. Lori Ryerkerk, President and Chief Executive Officer, has been elected by the Board to succeed Rohr as Chairman following the company’s Annual Meeting today.

Rohr was appointed Executive Chairman of Celanese in May 2019, following his tenure as Chairman, President and CEO since April 2012. He has been a member of Celanese’s Board of Directors since April 2007. Under Rohr’s leadership, Celanese achieved record operating results and shareholder value. Having completed a successful onboarding and transition of all leadership responsibilities to Ryerkerk, Rohr felt now was the right time to retire.

“It’s always been my plan to step away once our leadership transition was complete. I have tremendous confidence in Lori, the Board and our colleagues, and I’m confident Celanese can continue to deliver increasing shareholder value over the quarters and years ahead,” said Rohr. “It has been a great privilege to be a part of Celanese for the past 13 years and I am very proud of our nearly 8,000 employees for all they do every day to create value for our shareholders and make a positive impact on the communities we serve.”

Ryerkerk became CEO and was elected to the Board in May 2019. Throughout her career, she has held a number of senior leadership roles across a range of businesses and geographies.

Ryerkerk said, “I am honored to have been chosen to succeed Mark as the Chairman of the Board of this extraordinary company. His unwavering focus on building a strong culture and his drive to create value for shareholders, customers and employees have made Celanese a better company and his contributions will have a profound impact on the organization for years to come. I want to thank Mark for his leadership and for his guidance during this leadership transition.”

Ed Galante, Lead Independent Director of Celanese’s Board of Directors, said, “On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to congratulate Mark on his distinguished career and thank him for his outstanding stewardship of Celanese. As a result of Mark’s strategic direction, Celanese has become a stronger and more resilient company that is positioned well for long-term success. We wish him all the best in his retirement.”

Galante continued, “Lori is doing an excellent job as CEO and is the logical choice to take on the role of Chairman in this orderly transition of leadership at Celanese. She recently led the creation of our updated base strategy and is well-suited to assume Mark’s efforts exploring strategic options for the Company. I look forward to partnering with Lori to lead the Board and deliver sustainable value for our shareholders.”

Upon Rohr’s departure, the Celanese Board of Directors will consist of nine members, eight of whom will be independent directors. Galante will remain the Lead Independent Director, overseeing effective corporate governance, which promotes the long-term interests of stockholders and strengthens Board and management accountability.





About Celanese
Celanese Corporation is a global chemical leader in the production of differentiated chemistry solutions and specialty materials used in most major industries and consumer applications. Our businesses use the full breadth of Celanese's global chemistry, technology and commercial expertise to create value for our customers, employees, shareholders and the corporation. As we partner with our customers to solve their most critical business needs, we strive to make a positive impact on our communities and the world through The Celanese Foundation. Based in Dallas, Celanese employs approximately 7,700 employees worldwide and had 2019 net sales of $6.3 billion. For more information about Celanese Corporation and its product offerings, visit www.celanese.com or our blog at www.celaneseblog.com.

Contacts:
 
 
 
 
Investor Relations
 
Media - Global
 
 
Abe Paul
 
Travis Jacobsen
 
 
Phone: +1 972 443 4432
 
Phone: +1 972 443 3750
 
 
Abraham.Paul@celanese.com
 
William.Jacobsen@celanese.com
 
 
Forward-Looking Statements: This release may contain "forward-looking statements," which include information concerning the company’s plans, objectives, goals, strategies, and other information that is not historical information. When used in this release, the words “outlook,” “forecast,” “estimates,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “plans,” “intends,” “believes,” and variations of such words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and beliefs and various assumptions. There can be no assurance that the company or its stockholders will realize these benefits or that these expectations will prove correct. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this release. Numerous factors, many of which are beyond the company’s control, could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed as forward-looking statements. Other risk factors include those that are discussed in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and the company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which it is made or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances.