Latest news with #KevinWillis
Daily Mail
07-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Newly engaged Texas couple killed in freak wine cellar accident at their stunning $2.4 million home
A newly engaged couple died in a freak accident at their multimillion-dollar home after breathing fatal fumes released by dry ice they had been storing in their wine cellar. Deborah Putzka Touchy, 67, and Kevin Willis, 68, were found dead on July 4 after neighbors called 911 to their home in the ritzy River Oaks area of Houston. Firefighters noticed the fumes soon after they arrived about 7pm and needed respirators to enter the cellar, where the bodies were discovered. Touchy and Willis were reportedly planning to host a Fourth of July party when they were killed. 'There was dry ice being stored in the wine cellar,' Houston Police Lieutenant Larry said. 'When dry ice melts, it turns into carbon dioxide. Unfortunately, it appears the two people who went into the wine cellar were overcome.' Willis and Touchy got engaged earlier this year and threw an engagement party at the Champion Wine Garden during the Houston Rodeo on March 10. The couple frequently posted photos of themselves at wine tastings and vineyard tours across the country, as well as in France and Italy. Touchy, who described herself as a lawyer and accountant, posted dozens of photos of her wine collection on Facebook and Instagram. Friends took to social media to mourn the couple, who appeared active in the social scene. They were regular attendees of the Houston Rodeo, where they had 'royal seats,' and were members of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs food and wine society. 'She was a light and a delight. So smart and so self deprecating about her smarts and her achievements,' friend Vickie Elizardo wrote on Facebook. 'She has a tight circle of friends that will never be the same without her.' 'The world is a poorer place and has more shadows without her generosity and sparkle.' Another friend, Tara Dahnke, said she read about the couple's death with interest because she didn't know about the dangers of dry ice - before the horror of discovering their identities. 'I still cant believe this is real. I have been in tears all day,' she wrote on Facebook. 'Big personalities that will not be forgotten. They always brought joy, laughter, and a giving spirit.' The local chapter of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs society also paid tribute to two of its regulars. 'Deborah was full of energy and bigger than life in Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, rodeo, and Houston wine scene for many years,' the club wrote online. 'She always lit up the room with a huge smile and a warm hug. 'Kevin was a loving and kind person whose genuineness and caring was evident in each and every conversation. They loved each other dearly.' The couple's ivy-covered home on Avalon Place is surrounded by stunning mansions and historic homes. Touchy and her former husband bought the three-bedroom, four-bathroom home in 2000 for $299,250, records show. The house was last estimates to be worth more than $2.4 million and could be worth as much as 10 times what it was bought for 25 years ago. Dry ice, made of frozen carbon dioxide, is colder than frozen water and is often used to cool small areas like wine cellars. 'Carbon dioxide can replace oxygen in closed spaces, creating an oxygen-deficient environment. This can result in suffocation,' warns the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The medical examiner will confirm the couple's cause of death.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ashland announces executive leadership changes
Ashland - Kevin Willis Ashland - William Whitaker Ashland - Samuel Richardson WILMINGTON, Del., May 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) announced today that Kevin Willis, senior vice president and chief financial officer, has decided to leave Ashland to pursue another opportunity. His last day with the company will be May 16, 2025. Willis joined Ashland in 1987 as an associate auditor in the internal audit department. He has served in various management positions of increasing responsibility, including leading teams on major projects in the business services, information technology, accounting and finance areas. Willis' departure is not the result of any disagreement with the company related to its financial statements, internal control over financial reporting, operations, policies or practices. Today the company's board of directors appointed William C. Whitaker, vice president, finance, and director, investor relations, to serve as the company's interim chief financial officer until the board concludes its review process. Whitaker, 36, has served in his current capacity since January 2024. He joined Ashland in 2015 and has held several positions of increasing responsibility in corporate development, treasury, financial planning and analysis (FP&A) and investor relations. Prior to Ashland, Whitaker held various roles outside of the company within private equity and transaction advisory services. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Finance from Ohio State University and holds a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. The board also appointed Samuel A. Richardson, controller, to serve as vice president, controller and principal accounting officer. Richardson, 46, has served as the company's controller since January 2020. From March 2008 to December 2019, he has held various senior accounting roles. Richardson holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Computer Information Systems from West Liberty University and is a certified public accountant. 'I want to thank Kevin for his many years of service and numerous contributions to Ashland,' said Guillermo Novo, chair and chief executive officer, Ashland. 'And on behalf of all our employees at Ashland, I want to wish him continued success in the future. I am confident we have a strong and capable team to ensure a smooth and seamless transition, and we are committed to maintaining stability and continuing to achieve our goals.' About Ashland Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) is a global additives and specialty ingredients company with a conscious and proactive mindset for environmental, social and governance (ESG). The company serves customers in a wide range of consumer and industrial markets, including architectural coatings, construction, energy, food and beverage, personal care and pharmaceutical. Approximately 3,200 passionate, tenacious solvers – from renowned scientists and research chemists to talented engineers and plant operators – thrive on developing practical, innovative and elegant solutions to complex problems for customers in more than 100 countries. Visit and to learn more. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Ashland has identified some of these forward-looking statements with words such as 'anticipates,' 'believes,' 'expects,' 'estimates,' 'is likely,' 'predicts,' 'projects,' 'forecasts,' 'objectives,' 'may,' 'will,' 'should,' 'plans' and 'intends' and the negative of these words or other comparable terminology. Ashland may from time to time make forward-looking statements in its annual reports, quarterly reports and other filings with the SEC, news releases and other written and oral communications. These forward-looking statements are based on Ashland's expectations and assumptions, as of the date such statements are made, regarding Ashland's future operating performance, financial, operating cash flow and liquidity, as well as the economy and other future events or circumstances. These statements include but may not be limited to statements with respect to Ashland's beliefs in connection with the CFO transition and its commitment to maintain stability and achieve its goals. Ashland's expectations and assumptions include, without limitation, internal forecasts and analyses of current and future market conditions and trends, management plans and strategies, operating efficiencies and economic conditions (such as prices, supply and demand, cost of raw materials, and the ability to recover raw-material cost increases through price increases), and risks and uncertainties associated with the following: the impact of acquisitions and/or divestitures Ashland has made or may make (including the possibility that Ashland may not realize the anticipated benefits from such transactions); Ashland's substantial indebtedness (including the possibility that such indebtedness and related restrictive covenants may adversely affect Ashland's future cash flows, results of operations, financial condition and its ability to repay debt); Ashland's ability to attract and retain key employees and the identification and development of talent to succeed senior management; severe weather, natural disasters, public health crises, cyber events and legal proceedings and claims (including product recalls, environmental and asbestos matters); the effects of announced or future tariff increases; the effects of the ongoing Ukraine/Russia and Israel/Hamas conflicts on the geographies in which we operate, the end markets we serve and on our supply chain and customers, and without limitation, risks and uncertainties affecting Ashland that are described in Ashland's most recent Form 10-K (including Item 1A Risk Factors) filed with the SEC, which is available on Ashland's website at or on the SEC's website at Various risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from those stated, projected or implied by any forward-looking statements. Ashland believes its expectations and assumptions are reasonable, but there can be no assurance that the expectations reflected herein will be achieved. Unless legally required, Ashland undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements made in this news release whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. ™ Trademark, Ashland or its subsidiaries, registered in various countries. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Investor Relations: Media Relations: William Whitaker Carolmarie C. Brown +1 (614) 790-2095 +1 (302) 995-3158 wcwhitaker@ ccbrown@ Attachments Press_Release_Ashland_Announces Executive_Leadership_Change_FNL_20250505 Ashland - Kevin Willis Ashland - William Whitaker Ashland - Samuel RichardsonSign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Oak Hill welcomes Mountain State Masterpieces
Owner Tiffany Willis threw open the doors to Oak Hill's newest business over the weekend. Representatives from the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce joined Willis and her husband, Kevin Willis, and friends, family members and co-workers on Saturday to christen Mountain State Masterpieces. The business is located at 1113B Main Street East beside C&O Cleaners. 'It's just for the local artisans; there's not very many places that they can display their work in Oak Hill,' said Tiffany Willis. 'This is the only place in Oak Hill so far that they can display their artwork.' Tiffany outlined a 'variety of artisans' on the premises. That includes glass blower Josh Bailey, whose studio is in the back of the building. 'When he's back there, you can actually watch and see his work,' she said. Vendor space is still available. Vendors set up at the business include Bailey's Baubles Hot Glass, Rusted Roots Fabrication, Daisy Hill Jewelry, BeBe's Beads, The Pretty Pickle, Dave's Backyard Sugarin', Moss & Moon Creations, Lighting Laser Creations and Southern Farmhouse Furnishings. For more information on the business, or to arrange to display products, visit Mountain State Masterpieces on Facebook or email msmasterpieces@ Kevin Willis says the business is something for the community. 'When we sat down and put this together, it's just for the community,' he said. 'Fayetteville, they have a lot of different things like that, but Oak Hill doesn't have this. 'So, we're trying to give back to the community for Oak Hill and the local people of Oak Hill. Something to be proud of. 'There's a wide variety of different things, gift giving. And, it's local. This is just for the community and the local artisans.' The business, which has three employees, will be closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the other days of the week.
