Carmen Masciantonio To Succeed John Paro as Hallstar CEO in 2026

Specialty chemistry supplier Hallstar released leadership succession plans for its global organization. Effective January 1, 2026, John J. Paro, chairman and chief executive officer since 2002, will step away from his CEO role and focus solely on the leadership of Hallstar’s board and his family enterprise. On that same date, Carmen B. Masciantonio, a 25-year Hallstar veteran currently serving as chief operating officer and president of the Industrial Solutions division, will assume CEO duties, reporting to Paro and the board.

“Carmen is a capable, trusted and much-admired leader and I am excited about the company’s future growth potential under his leadership,” said Paro. “Of course, this announcement comes after years of reflection and planning with family and board members. Given Hallstar’s strength, its foundational culture and core values, the capabilities and integrity of the entire senior leadership team, and the passionate commitment of our global workforce, I have great confidence that Hallstar and I are ready for this transition.”

More Than Two Decades with Hallstar

Masciantonio joined Hallstar in 2001 with the acquisition of RTD Chemical, where he had worked since 1995. Starting as a business director for Hallstar Personal Care Ingredients, he added sourcing and purchasing responsibilities over the years and, in 2013, was named VP-supply chain and general manager for all product lines, successfully leveraging the synergy between product management and sourcing. From 2016 to 2018, Masciantonio served as the vice president of the North America region, responsible for all P&L operations, sales and sourcing in the NA territory. He was appointed president of the company’s Industrial Solutions division in 2019 and COO in 2022. From 2023 to 2024, he also served as interim president for Hallstar Beauty & Personal Care.

Masciantonio earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Penn State University, where he played on the 1982 National Championship football team and was named Academic All-American in 1984. He and his wife live in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, and have three grown children and one grandchild.

Chief Human Resources Officer and Board Vice Chair, Ashley P. Gertz, remarked on Masciantonio’s fitness for the leadership role.

“We are fortunate to have someone with Carmen’s wide-ranging experience and industry knowledge prepared to succeed John Paro as CEO, but his dedication to Hallstar’s unique corporate culture is equally important. Carmen consistently demonstrates a passion for people and their professional development, and he knows that the greatest employee opportunities and rewards will be the result of Hallstar’s consistent growth.”