Herkt brings extensive industry experience and strong leadership qualities to new corporate position

Emerson Process Management, an Emerson business, has announced the appointment of Melissa B. Herkt as president of Process Systems and Solutions - Americas. Herkt will lead the division created by Emerson to provide process improvement solutions to the life sciences, power, chemical, food and beverage, pulp and paper, and hydrocarbon and energy industries.

"Melissa has spent her entire career planning and delivering major projects in both the petrochemical and pharmaceutical industries," says Tom Snead, president, Systems and Solutions. "Her experience and leadership qualities are key to meeting the goals set for the Process Systems and Solutions division."

Herkt has been actively involved in global project management throughout her professional career. She has worked in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, and Colombia and has conducted training in project management best practices at 66 locations in 21 countries. Her experience includes managing grassroots projects as large as $600 million and working on projects up to $3 billion in size.

Most recently Herkt was vice president of global project management for GlaxoSmithKline, where she was responsible for capital management, resource management, project manager training and development, project controls, project management standards, and the delivery performance of projects. She had previously worked for Hoffmann-La Roche, Exxon R&E, and Alabama Power Company.

Herkt holds a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Auburn University. She received the university's Civil Engineering Outstanding Alumna Award in 2004. Herkt is a member of the Board of Advisors for the Construction Industry Institute (CII) and co-chairs the CII Research Committee. She recently received the CII Outstanding Implementer Award for 2004. She serves on the Advisory Board of the University of Pittsburgh Mascaro Sustainability Initiative and is a member of the International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineers (ISPE).