Jan E. Shumate

Senior Director, Worldwide Engineering and Construction Solutions and Corporate Manufacturing Automation, Eastman Chemical Company
BSME 1993

"I never lose. I either win or learn." -Nelson Mandela

FOR HER NOTABLE TRACK RECORD IN COMBINING CORPORATE VALUE AND FORWARD THINKING VISION, FOUNDED UPON INNOVATION, BY UTILIZING BREAKTHROUGH TECHNOLOGIES TO LEVERAGE SYSTEM INTEGRATION PROVIDING SUPERIOR ENGINEERING, PROCUREMENT AND CONSTRUCTION TO OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS THAT ALIGN WITH EASTMAN'S SPECIALTY MATERIALS STRATEGY.

As a talented and diligent engineer with proven business acumen, Jan Shumate is a glass ceiling breaker. After nearly 30 years with Eastman Chemical Company, she is now its Director of Worldwide Engineering and Construction Solutions and Corporate Manufacturing Automation Transformation. In that role, she manages Eastman's annual capital project execution, construction excellence, and alignment of mechanical, electrical/instrumentation, control systems, civil and project engineering services with critical business needs across Eastman's global footprint.

In her current role, she also has strategic oversight for the Corporate Manufacturing Automation Transformation initiative and SEIGA (Seamless EPCOM Integrated Global Access) Digital Innovation team. These teams utilize breakthrough technology and leverage system integration to provide superior engineering, procurement, construction, operations and maintenance solutions while rapidly accelerating implementation adoption of new technologies, automated operations, and automated services in alignment with Eastman's corporate specialty materials innovation strategy. SEIGA was awarded Chemical Engineering and Power Engineering magazine's "Game Changer Innovation Award" in 2020.

Shumate says her Purdue years helped shape her future success: "My Purdue engineering education instilled in me the structure to methodically solve problems, incorporate team members with diverse skillsets and concisely articulate results while having the courage to take on any task."

Outside of work, Shumate is a leader in her field. She has held several leadership positions in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Tennessee Society of Professional Engineers. She has led key committees for the Engineering Construction Contracting Association and Construction Industry Institute as well as being an ardent supporter of STEM programs at both the high school and collegiate levels. She also has championed strong ties between Eastman and Purdue's College of Engineering.

Her uncommon achievements have brought recognition and accolades. In 2016, she received both Purdue's School of Mechanical Engineering's Outstanding Mechanical Engineer Award and the Women in Manufacturing's STEP (Science, Technology, Engineering and Production) Ahead Award, which honors excellence in all levels of the manufacturing industry from the factory floor to the C suite. In 2021 she was honored with the Construction Industry Institute's Distinguished Service Award.

Shumate also gives of her time and talent for her community as a member of the Industrial Committee of her local United Way and a leader of Eastman's United Way campaign. She has also worked on behalf of the Arthritis Foundation and Special Olympics, among other causes.

She offers this insight and advice to current Purdue engineering students: "Appreciate the experiences you're going through. They may never be available again. Take the time to participate in clubs, societies, philanthropic events, and other experiences that are meaningful to you. They will expand your perspective and broaden the skillset you leave with from Purdue making you a stronger citizen of the world."

Career Highlights

2021-present Senior Director, Worldwide Engineering and Construction Solutions and Corporate Manufacturing Automation, Eastman Chemical Company (EMN)
2017-2020 Senior Director, Worldwide Engineering and Construction Services and Solutions, EMN
2014-2016 Director, Global Plant Engineering, EMN
2011-2014 Manager, Plant Engineering, EMN
2009-2011 Group Manager, Mechanical and Utilities Process Technology, Process Engineering, EMN
2007-2009 Business Development Manager, EMN Gasification Services, EMN
2005-2007 Capital Procurement Manager, Workington UK Fibers Expansion Project, EMN
2004–2005 Group Manager, Voridian Capital Procurement, EMN
2002-2004 Group Manager, Voridian Global Engineering & Reliability Support, EMN
2001–2002 Supervisor, Global IT Systems Services, EMN
2000-2001 Staff Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, Worldwide Manufacturing, EMN
2000-2000 Supervisor, Reliability Engineering, EMN
1999-2000 Staff Assistant to Vice President, Worldwide Maintenance and Reliability, EMN
1998–1999 Supervisor, Predictive Reliability, EMN
1995-1998 Plant Engineering, Polymers, EMN
1993-1995 Plant Engineering, Fibers, EMN

Education

1993 BS Mechanical, Purdue University
1997 MS Industrial Engineering, University of Tennessee
2004 MBA, Business, Northwestern University