W.R. Grace hires new HR chief

W.R. Grace & Co. has announced the appointment of Pamela Wagoner as its new VP and chief human resources officer. Wagoner, age 45, joins Grace from Host Hotel & Resorts, where she held the position of senior VP since 2003. Prior to that position, Wagoner worked for Savvis Communications and Lucent Technologies.

In her new position, Wagoner will oversee Grace's global HR activities, including recruitment and retention, leadership development, employee training, labor relations, talent and performance management, regulatory compliance and compensation. She will be based at Grace's global headquarters in Columbia, Md., and will report to Fred Festa, chairman, president and CEO.

Grace manufactures a variety of products for the industrial sector and building materials for commercial and residential construction. The latter includes cement and concrete additives, concrete masonry products, air and vapor barriers, structural waterproofing systems, roofing membranes, window and deck flashings, and fire protection products. With annual sales of more than $3 billion, Grace has about 6,000 employees and operations in more than 40 countries.