White Gan Jee
White Gan Jee
B.S. Chemistry, 1974
College of Arts & Sciences Dean’s Executive Advisory Board
“Almost beating Kentucky in basketball, almost beating Ole Miss in football, and being SEC champs in baseball.”
For White Gan Jee, those moments are just a few of the memories that still define his time at Mississippi State University. A 1974 graduate with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Jee credits the College of Arts & Sciences with laying the foundation for a career that has spanned more than five decades in the chemical and polymer industry.
A legacy student, Jee, came to Mississippi State feeling connected to the university. That sense of belonging only grew through his academic experiences and the mentorship he received in the chemistry department.
“Dr. Donald Emerich, the chemistry department head, was my advisor, and along with other professors in the chemistry department, they were the ones who provided me with options to pursue a career path, whether it would be further academic education or employment in the chemical and polymer industry,” Jee said.
After graduating, Jee began a long and distinguished professional journey. His career started in Louisiana with Dow Chemical Company before taking him to Houston, where he spent three decades working with companies that evolved into what is now INEOS Olefins and Polymers USA. He later held roles with Ingenia Polymers Corporation and Sasol Chemical North America, where he helped launch a new polyethylene plant.
In 2021, Jee formed JEE Consulting Services LLC, a firm that provides expertise across the plastics piping systems supply chain.
“The A&S education provided a foundation to explore opportunities in the chemical and polymer industry and also an opportunity to pursue an MBA degree while being employed full time,” he said.
Throughout his career, Jee has earned recognition from employers and industry organizations alike, including honors from the Plastics Pipe Institute, ASTM International, and multiple company leadership and safety awards. He is particularly proud of the opportunity to give back to the next generation.
“The blessing of being employed in the chemical and polymer industry for over 50 years allows me to provide insights and experiences to the next generation in the workforce,” Jee said. “That includes communicating to students at my two alma maters, Mississippi State University and the University of Houston in Clear Lake.”
Jee remains deeply connected to Mississippi State through his service on the College of Arts & Sciences Dean’s Executive Advisory Board, a role he has held since being named a 2023 A&S Alumni Fellow. Beyond his professional life, he served in the U.S. Army Artillery branch, retiring as a captain, is active in his local church, and participates in an annual half marathon each January. He and his wife, who have been married since 1981, have two children and two granddaughters.
His advice to today’s students reflects the values that have guided his own journey.
“Stay focused and diligent in preparing for your future by continuously learning to expand your knowledge and improving yourself. Have faith, patience, and perseverance.”
When asked to sum up his MSU experience in one word, Jee did not hesitate: “awesome,” noting MSU and A&S will impact students’ futures through the “tremendous learning experience.”