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Washington State University
The Gene and Linda Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering

Advisory Board

Craig McDonald

Craig McDonald

Craig McDonald, P.E.
Director, External Manufacturing (Retired)
Dow Inc.
2019 Voiland School Alumni Awardee

  • M.S. Chemical Engineering – Washington State University – 1989
  • B.S. Chemical Engineering – Washington State University – 1986

Professional Experience

Craig McDonald (BS, MS, chemical engineering, 1986, 1989) is retired as Director, External Manufacturing for Dow Chemical.

In the year between graduating with his bachelor’s degree and returning to graduate school, McDonald worked for UNC at the N-reactor on the Hanford site. He was there for the final shutdown of the famous reactor.

McDonald joined Dow Chemical in Research and Development, after finishing his master’s degree at Washington State University. His early career included working in several rotational assignments in Central Research and Business R&D groups in Midland, MI, Freeport, TX and Pittsburg, CA. During his time in R&D he worked on several new products for the Agricultural Sciences division and developed an expertise in water treatment chemistry.

In 2001, McDonald moved to Indianapolis, IN to join the Six Sigma expertise group and worked on a variety of Purchasing and Supply Chain projects focused on improving the efficiency and cost effectiveness of these work processes. While working on these projects, he developed a new business work process for optimizing the selection of external vs internal manufacturing, which became the External Manufacturing expertise center. The expertise center expanded to cover all of the Dow businesses and McDonald relocated to Midland MI in 2008 with the expansion.

McDonald has been a member of the Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering advisory board for over 20 years. While in the Midwest, beginning in 2005, McDonald proudly supported WSU by traveling to over 30 ESPN GameDay Shows waving the Cougar flag.

McDonald retired from Dow in July 2014 with over 26 years of service. He now resides in the Methow Valley enjoying hiking, biking and other recreational activities.