Dirk Buengel has been hired as a full-time Assistant Professor of Practice in the department. Dirk has been teaching two different courses this semester: MGT 3334 and MGT 4084. His wide ranging experience and expertise make him uniquely qualified to teach a variety of courses in the MCA and MHR options and contribute the department in many other ways.

Dirk has many years of international work experience as a senior manager/executive in various global Fortune 500 companies. He has worked in different regions (Europe, Latin America, North America) and industries (engineering & electronics, fast-moving consumer goods, chemical industry, consulting). He also has a strong background in Human Resource Management, leadership and people & organizational development. 

Dirk started his career at Siemens in Munich, Germany and then joined Henkel and later on Cognis in Duesseldorf, Germany. From 2004 to 2007 Dirk transferred to Mexico City, Mexico to become the General Manager of Cognis leading a multi-SBU business in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. In 2007 he moved to Philadelphia, PA to lead the whole North American business of the division.

In 2011, Dirk took over the lead of the newly created division in North America after BASF, the world’s largest chemical company, acquired Cognis. As a Senior Vice President, he led the integration of both units forming an industry-leading team with approximately 1,000 employees, annual revenue of $2bn, 10 production sites and five Innovation Centers. After leaving BASF in 2017, Dirk worked as a management consultant.

Dirk graduated from Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany in 1991 with an MBA in Marketing and Finance. A native from Duesseldorf, Germany, Dirk lives in Blacksburg.

Please join us in welcoming Dirk to the full-time position.