Listen to Victoria and Mark’s Conversation Here:
From investment banking to the CEO seat at LSB Industries, Mark Behrman joins Victoria Meyer to discuss strategic transformation, market dynamics, and leadership in the chemical industry. Hear how LSB evolved from a traditional industrial conglomerate to a leading North American ammonia and nitric acid producer through operational integration, a focus on people, and strong customer partnerships.
They also cover how LSB is approaching digitalization, AI, and sustainability—with a spotlight on their upcoming carbon capture project in Arkansas. Mark shares practical leadership lessons for both seasoned executives and industry newcomers, emphasizing curiosity, culture, and long-term vision.
Victoria and Mark discuss the following:
- From Wall Street to CEO: Mark’s unique path to leadership.
- How focus and culture reshaped LSB Industries.
- Navigating regional dynamics and tariff impacts of Ammonia.
- People First: The central role of culture in company success.
- LSB’s journey with digital, sustainability, and efficiency.
Killer Quote:“It’s really all about the people. If you get a really good team of people that have the same common goal, same values, same drive, same level of curiosity, then they just figure out how to get things done.” -Mark Behrman
Watch The Episode on Youtube Here:
How Regional Focus Shapes Customer Partnerships with LSB Industries CEO Mark Behrman
Navigating today’s chemical industry is no small feat. For Mark Behrman, Chairman and CEO of LSB Industries, it’s been a journey of reinvention. From nontraditional beginnings to leading one of North America’s top ammonia producers, Mark provides a window into the changing landscape of chemicals, leadership, and the business of sustainability. In this episode of The Chemical Show, host Victoria Meyer sits down with Mark Behrman to discuss LSB’s evolution, global market dynamics, operational strategies, and what the future holds for the industry.
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A Nontraditional Path to the Chemical C-Suite
Mark didn’t follow a typical trajectory into chemicals. With a background in accounting and an MBA in finance, he spent over 25 years as an investment banker, focusing on industrial companies—some in chemicals, others not. His relationship with LSB Industries began on Wall Street, eventually leading to a leadership opportunity in Oklahoma. After joining as CFO, he became CEO, guiding the company through challenging times and positioning it for growth.
This career path reinforced one of Mark’s central beliefs: success is ultimately about people. “If you get a really good team of people that have the same common goal, same values, same drive…they just figure out how to get things done,” he explains. This focus on talent and culture has been foundational to LSB’s transformation.
LSB Industries: From Conglomerate to Nitrogen Powerhouse
LSB Industries started as an industrial conglomerate in the 1960s. Through decades of acquisitions, the company honed its current focus: nitrogen chemicals. Today, LSB operates three integrated U.S. facilities producing ammonia, nitric acid, and downstream nitrogen products, with half their business in fertilizer and half in chemical and mining applications.
What sets LSB apart is this diversification. Unlike competitors focused primarily on fertilizer, LSB is now the largest merchant marketer of nitric acid in North America, serving key industrial customers with reliability and a long-term commitment.
Adapting to a Global and Regional Market
The chemical industry is increasingly shaped by global trends, trade disputes, tariffs, regionalization, and competition from China. LSB’s U.S.-centric manufacturing footprint offers certain advantages, shielding the company from some volatility in global trade. According to Mark, recent tariffs have actually bolstered domestic production and demand for their products, particularly as onshoring and mining investments expand in North America.
But differentiation still matters, even for commodity products like ammonia. LSB’s customer relationships are built on consistency, supply chain reliability, and backup capabilities, critical for clients in industries like polyurethane manufacturing and mining. Their longstanding partnerships speak to a business model that values commitment and adaptability.
Embracing Digital Transformation Purposefully
Technology is reshaping chemicals, but Mark cautions against jumping on the latest trend without a clear strategy. While LSB leverages automation, machine learning, and predictive maintenance systems, the company takes a measured approach to AI adoption. “You have to have a strategy. You can’t just jump in because something sounds cool,” he advises.
Customers want more access to information, order status, fulfillment updates, digital touchpoints, but the focus remains on outcomes. LSB is exploring how AI can improve efficiency and safety without sacrificing operational oversight or falling into costly, unfocused initiatives.
Lessons in Leadership and Building Culture
Throughout the discussion, Mark returns to the importance of people and culture. Strategic investments in assets are essential, but without engaged, values-driven teams, those assets underperform. “Sometimes people discount the culture…It’s creating a set of values that really drive that culture. It’s living by those values.”
For those starting their careers, his advice is simple yet powerful: be curious, ask questions, work hard, and don’t get discouraged when ideas aren’t immediately adopted. Management, he notes, also has a responsibility to give meaningful feedback so employees stay engaged and motivated.
The Road Ahead: Efficiency and Sustainability
Looking forward, LSB is focused on operational efficiency and cost control, optimizing already reliable assets to generate additional cash flow. A major initiative is their carbon capture and sequestration project, one of the first in their space. This is more than a sustainability checkbox; it’s about aligning environmental responsibility with profitability. LSB exemplifies how the chemical industry can turn waste into opportunity, reducing their footprint while capturing new growth.
LSB Industries’ story reflects the broader evolution of the chemical industry. Strategic focus, cultural leadership, and thoughtful adoption of technology can drive transformation—even in a traditionally conservative sector. As Mark Behrman and Victoria Meyer highlight, the future of chemicals will be shaped not just by market forces or technology, but by leaders and teams committed to doing business better, one smart decision at a time.
About Mark Behrman:
Chairman and CEO, LSB Industries
Joined LSB Industries in 2014 and has served as CEO and Director since 2018; appointed Chairman in 2024. Previous experience covers over 25 years as an investment banker, providing M&A and capital structure advice to companies in the industrial sector Currently serves as the Vice Chairman of The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) MBA in Finance from Hofstra University and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Minor in Finance from Binghamton University.
LSB Industries: Fifth largest manufacturer of ammonia and ammonia-related products in North America. Committed to playing a leadership role in the production of low-carbon products that build, feed, and power the world.