Sixty-five years and counting for Cooley chairman

On Sept. 18, P. Robert Siener Jr. joined a distinguished group of octogenarians who still serve as chairmen of successful companies, a group that includes Warren Buffett (Berkshire Hathaway), Sumner Redstone (CBS Corp.) and J.W. Marriott Jr. (Marriott International). Siener celebrated 65 years with the Cooley Group, the Pawtucket, R.I., designer, developer and manufacturer of high-performance, sustainable engineered membranes.

Following his tours of duty with the U.S. Navy in World War II, Siener joined Cooley in 1947, when it was a sign and awning manufacturer. He became president of Cooley in 1960 and led the company into international markets with innovative products until he assumed his current role as chairman in 2011. “We have always been a chemistry company focused on taking truly talented people and focusing them on developing innovative solutions,” said Siener.