Omnova Solutions Inc. (NYSE: OMN) of Fairlawn said Michael E. Hicks, the company’s senior vice president and chief financial officer, will retire on July 1 after 36 years of working at the specialty chemicals company.<br /><br />He will be succeeded by Paul F. DeSantis, 49, who has been CFO, treasurer and assistant corporate secretary of Bob Evans Farms Inc. since March 2011.<br /><br />Kevin McMullen, chairman and CEO of Omnova, said Hicks “has been an important financial leader at our company, helping us navigate through many transitions, directing strategies that have steadily strengthened Omnova’s balance sheet, and serving as a trusted liaison with investors.”<br /><br />He said DeSantis' “broad-based background in finance and strategy — including time as CFO of a major chemical manufacturer — will make him a valuable addition to our team as we move aggressively to profitably grow our company on a global basis. We are planning for an orderly transition, with Paul joining us in early June to provide ample opportunity to spend time with Mike before his departure," added McMullen.<br /><br />Prior to joining Bob Evans, DeSantis was treasurer and CFO of Akron-based A. Schulman Inc., a supplier of custom compounds, masterbatches and resins supplied into a variety of markets and applications, from 2006 until 2011. He also had senior financial positions at The Scotts-Miracle-Gro Co., The Kellogg Co. and General Motors Acceptance Corp.<br /><br />DeSantis gained global experience by serving as CFO of Scotts' international division in Lyon, France.<br /><br />He is a graduate of Georgetown University and earned his MBA from the University of Michigan.