Jeffrey L. Tate
Summary
Jeffrey L. Tate is Dow’s chief financial officer, a position he has held since November 2023 after previously serving as a senior finance executive at Dow and as CFO of Leggett & Platt. ([sec.gov](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/29915/000175178826000018/dow-20251231.htm?utm_source=openai))
Biography
Tate first joined Dow in 1992 and held finance, operating, and general-management roles over several periods of his career. His Dow positions included vice president of finance for Packaging & Specialty Plastics, chief audit executive, director of investor relations, and finance leadership roles in Performance Products and Dow Automotive. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Alabama and is a certified public accountant. ([corporate.dow.com](https://corporate.dow.com/en-us/about-dow/leadership/jeff-tate.html?utm_source=openai)) From September 2019 to June 2023, Tate was executive vice president and chief financial officer of Leggett & Platt, where he led finance across 15 business units and 135 manufacturing sites. He returned to Dow as CFO in November 2023 and has executive oversight of finance, treasury-related activities, corporate facilities, integrated supply chain, purchasing, information technology, and investor relations. Tate also serves on the boards of Huntington Bancshares and several business and nonprofit organizations. ([sec.gov](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/29915/000175178826000018/dow-20251231.htm?utm_source=openai))
Notable achievements
- Led finance at Leggett & Platt across 15 business units and 135 manufacturing sites, with responsibility for cash flow, capital allocation, and investor engagement. ([corporate.dow.com](https://corporate.dow.com/en-us/about-dow/leadership/jeff-tate.html?utm_source=openai))
- Built broad experience at Dow across internal audit, investor relations, business finance, and operating roles before becoming CFO. ([leggett.com](https://leggett.com/annual-reports/2020/assets/downloads/leggett-platt-2020-ar-complete.pdf?utm_source=openai))
- During his Dow CFO tenure, the company announced a plan targeting at least $1 billion in annualized cost reductions by 2026 and approximately $1 billion in 2025 capital-expenditure reductions. ([investors.dow.com](https://investors.dow.com/en/news/news-details/2025/Dow-Reports-First-Quarter-2025-Results/default.aspx?utm_source=openai))
- During his tenure, Dow pursued additional financial flexibility through asset restructuring, a strategic infrastructure partnership, cost reductions, and other cash-support measures. ([investors.dow.com](https://investors.dow.com/en/news/news-details/2025/Dow-reports-fourth-quarter-2024-results/default.aspx?utm_source=openai))
- Was recognized by the National Association of Black Accountants as its 2020 Chief Financial Officer of the Year. ([corporate.dow.com](https://corporate.dow.com/en-us/about-dow/leadership/jeff-tate.html?utm_source=openai))
Problem areas / controversies
- Tate’s CFO tenure has coincided with weak demand and cyclical pressure in Dow’s markets, requiring restructuring, asset reviews, and cost reductions. ([investors.dow.com](https://investors.dow.com/en/news/news-details/2025/Dow-Reports-First-Quarter-2025-Results/default.aspx?utm_source=openai))
- Dow’s 2025 results and financial statements included restructuring costs, asset-related charges, pension-settlement charges, and other items that complicate assessment of underlying financial performance. ([sec.gov](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/29915/000175178826000018/dow-20251231.htm?utm_source=openai))
- Dow remains exposed to significant environmental liabilities and legal contingencies, including accrued environmental-remediation obligations reported at December 31, 2025. ([sec.gov](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1751788/000175178826000018/dow-20251231.htm?utm_source=openai))
- No significant personal controversy involving Tate was identified in the reviewed company filings and reputable public sources.