Glenn Fish, '89, Leads one of America's Largest Family-Owned Companies into a Sustainable Future
By Lia Kizilbash Gillet
Glenn Fish, '89, CEO, J.M. Huber Corporation (Photo credit: Stephen Glass)
From innovative building materials to wires and cables, nutritional supplements to water purification systems to sustainable farming, materials from J.M. Huber Corporation make everyday products better — with NIU alumnus Glenn Fish, ’89, leading the way.
Founded in 1883, Huber began as a single manufacturer of printing ink. Today, it is a sixth-generation, family-owned business and a global innovator in engineered materials, engineered woods and sustainable forestry, all guided by a long-term commitment to people, planet and performance.
Fish joined Huber as executive vice president and CFO in 2023 and became CEO in December 2025.
The Road to Manufacturing
Fish grew up in the south suburbs of Chicago doing what most kids his age were doing — school and sports — but what set him apart was tagging along with his father to help with plumbing and construction side jobs.
“Working with my father at a young age taught me about work ethic, commitment and integrity,” Fish said. “I learned that big goals could be achieved little by little over time and that personal and professional growth came through hard work, dedication and staying focused.”
Over 35 years, Fish advanced through finance and operations roles in global manufacturing, including senior leadership positions at Alcan Packaging and Tekni-Plex, where he drove growth through acquisitions. Before joining Huber, he helped build Vibrantz Technologies into a global leader in specialty chemicals.
Now, as CEO of J.M. Huber Corporation, Fish oversees businesses that impact everyday life and critical infrastructure, including minerals for construction and personal care, fire-retardant solutions for electrical infrastructure and vehicles, and specialty fertilizers and biostimulants for agriculture. Huber also produces engineered wood used in innovative building products, manages timberlands, and partners strategically — including a 2024 stake in Tate & Lyle PLC following the sale of its food-ingredient business, CP Kelco.
Commitment Beyond the Bottom Line
Sustainability and innovation are at the core of Huber’s strategy, with each business working to reduce its environmental impact while helping customers do the same. Fish says this purpose-driven approach is one of the reasons he’s proud to lead Huber.
“It’s not just about performance — it’s about making a positive difference,” he said.
This commitment extends beyond products. Through Huber Helps, the company supports initiatives such as Habitat for Humanity and the Gary Sinise Foundation’s Restoring Independence, Supporting Empowerment (R.I.S.E.) program, to which Huber has made significant contributions to 50 of the R.I.S.E. homes built for severely wounded veterans in the U.S.
The Right School for Fish
Fish chose NIU for its accounting program and for its balance of academic quality and affordability.
“Close friends and family attended NIU, and I already had familiarity with the school,” he said. “NIU had a great business school and accounting program, and I had an interest in both. Funding a college education came with its challenges for me, as it does for many, and NIU was a much more affordable and the best option for me overall.”
While earning his bachelor’s degree in accountancy, he spent time competing on the NIU’s former Division I men’s swim team — a commitment that taught him time management, resilience and the value of teamwork. Fish created lifelong memories and strong friendships through swimming and campus life. He credits NIU for preparing him for the workforce and for equipping him with the tools to advance his career.
“Much more than book smarts, NIU helped me focus on the importance of developing strong working relationships, group problem solving and resolution, speaking and presenting and time management, among others,” he said. “Those skills gave me the foundation to succeed in every role I’ve held since.”
Today, Fish’s Huskie pride runs deep.
“I certainly have more than my fair share of Huskie pride, especially as a longtime fan of NIU football,” he said. “I have enjoyed cheering on the Huskies through the years.”
Glenn Fish credits his NIU accountancy degree for preparing him for leadership roles. (Photo Credit: Cheryl Holloway)Words of Wisdom From the C-Suite
Fish is quick to credit others for his success.
“I’ve been blessed with a supportive spouse, Josephine, who is a great life partner, and we’ve grown in our journey together — in our faith, family and friendships,” he said. “I’ve also worked for and learned from some of the best leaders along the way and have had great teams working for and with me to drive success.”
He acknowledges that sacrifices and calculated risks played a role, but one experience stands out as transformative: being a special needs parent.
“My second youngest of five children, my son Carter, is non-verbal autistic with many other related neurological challenges,” Fish shared. “Seeing the obstacles he has overcome and how he doesn’t quit in the face of adversity motivates me even more personally. Being his father has blessed me with another degree of empathy, patience, discipline, grit and much more that comes with this life experience.”
Fish emphasizes curiosity and adaptability, encouraging professionals to take on different roles, volunteer for high-impact projects and seek out great leaders to learn from. He advises being open to relocation to expand experiences, networks and earning potential.
“Focus on broadening your experiences and always learning more about your business outside of your designated function,” he said. “Be willing to give and take feedback and work to improve from it.”
Success, Fish believes, is as much about mindset as it is about skill. He believes the way you think shapes the way you act — and ultimately, the results you achieve. As he puts it, quoting Henry Ford: “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.”
Inspired by J.M. Huber Corporation's sustainability mission? Learn how NIU is embedding sustainability into every corner of campus life at niuforward.com.