On November 8, 2018, W. R. Grace & Co. announced that Fred Festa had retired as Chief Executive Officer of the company, and Hudson La Force had been elected President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Festa will continue as non-executive Chairman of the company's Board of Directors.

Mr. La Force joined the company in 2008 as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. In 2016, he was elected President and Chief Operating Officer. In that role, Mr. La Force was responsible for its Catalysts Technologies and Materials Technologies business segments, technology organization, and its global manufacturing and supply chain operations.

Mr. La Force will continue as a Class I Director of the company, a position that he has held since 2017. Mr. Festa and Mr. La Force have not been appointed to any standing committees of the Board.