2026 Annual Meeting and Dinner

The Founders Club’s 2026 Annual Dinner and Reception set records for attendance and sponsorship as the Club gather for its annual meeting and recognition of the Petrochemical Heritage Award nominee and former CEO of LyondellBasell, Bob Patel.

      The evening started with a cocktail reception hosted by American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, one of the three nominating parties of the Petrochemical Heritage Award, including The Founders Club and the Science History Institute.

      Robert Sawchuk kicked off the meeting welcoming members and guests, and recognizing two past Award winners in the audience, Jim Teague (2020/21) and Gary Adams (2018). In a surprise move, Sawchuk summoned Bob Patel to the stage for an impromptu Q&A which delved into rather unknown aspects of his past, and ended with a quiz that started with the question, “You were formerly the CEO of LyondellBasell, but what do you know about lions, Dell computers and basil?” Patel successfully completed the quiz.

      After dinner, Stephanie Bryars officially called the meeting to order. Bryars recognized the cocktail reception sponsor, AFPM, and the dinner sponsor, Enterprise. She recognized the gold, silver and bronze sponsor and thanked everyone for their support. She concluded her remarks by introducing Club President, Theresa Houston.

      Houston welcomed the new members to the Club before presenting the results of the Board of Governors election and introducing the Board Members. She reminded members and guest that the Club hosts two additional events during the year including a cocktail reception in September and golf tournament in October. Houston introduced and welcomed the guest of honor, Bob Patel.

      Patel began his remarks by noting that this was the 50th anniversary of AFPM, also the 50th anniversary of his immigration to the U.S. He recalled arriving with his family, his mother having just $20. He talked about how he felt seeing the New York skyline for the first time. Patel told the story of seeing snow for the first time and asking, “why are flowers falling from the sky?” He talked of the early days in Ohio and how his mother and uncle formed his values that were influential in his life. The remarks turned to his time at Chevron and CP Chem, and what compelled him to leave CP Chem after 20 years for an opportunity at Lyondell. Patel spoke of the difficulties in the early years at Lyondell and how important it was to manage the business through the cycles. In his comment about not letting costs follow the cycle, Patel said, “at the top, you are the hunter, at the bottom, you are the hunted.” He wrapped up his remarks by saying the one stakeholder he cared the most about was the employees. Patel was received with a standing ovation.

      Bryars thanked Patel for his remarks and the members & guests who joined the Annual Dinner and Reception. The meeting was adjourned.