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Inside BASF Attapulgus: people powering progress
Regina Molisee is Operations Manager at BASF’s site in Attapulgus, Georgia, and has been a part of the company for the past 25 years. Learn more about what inspired her leadership style below.
Born and raised in rural southwest Georgia, Regina Molisee spent most of her childhood outdoors. From a very young age, she was fascinated by how things are made, and she enjoyed math, chemistry, and watching kids’ science shows on PBS. In high school, her geometry teacher recommended that she pursue engineering, helping her discover a path that she hadn’t considered and that would become her true vocation.
After completing two successful internships at BASF in Sparks, Georgia and earning a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2001, Molisee joined BASF as a project engineer. Today, she oversees production of the Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) catalyst portfolio as Operations Manager at the Attapulgus site.
Accountability and teamwork: the bedrock of operational safety
As Operations Manager, one of Regina’s main responsibilities is safety. The plant operates 24/7, making adherence to life-saving rules and high standards essential for safe, reliable operations with minimal downtime. “I always tell my team that we've got a great production plant and we're doing a good job, but none of that matters if we have an injury. No one will remember how many tons of product we made here if we have an injury - that will be our primary focus. Safety is simply not negotiable,” she explains.
The site conducts audits to strengthen safety and continuously improve by ensuring all personnel, including contractors, follow established rules and processes in the field. There is a formal process in place where colleagues identify potential issues, are transparent on their findings, address them with the team and find ways to improve.
You can’t ever be comfortable in a plant environment; a level of discomfort is key to continue improving.
Ongoing coaching across all levels as well as peer-to-peer conversations are also key to ensuring that everyone knows exactly what they are doing and how to stay safe throughout the entire day and through each step of the production process. “We find ways to quickly communicate and be transparent about any way we can improve. We don't ever want to repeat the same safety incident. We always look for ways to find the root cause and prevent it,” Regina expands.
Turning open dialogue into continuous improvement
In her role, Regina leads a team of 40 colleagues with a style grounded in transparency, direct communication, and service to others. She makes a point of understanding what colleagues need, speaking openly about what is not working, helping where she can and removing roadblocks that may slow them down.
At the same time, she adapts her level of support to each person’s experience, giving seasoned team members the autonomy they need while remaining available when guidance or assistance is required. Her focus is on taking purposeful action: understanding the most important information, identifying what is needed now and making focused changes that move the team forward.
Continuous improvement is central to Regina’s leadership philosophy. “I stand firmly on the mindset that there is always a better way to do something. I believe that nothing is ever fully optimized, and anyone can identify an opportunity to change or improve,” she remarks. For her, improvement begins with addressing challenges honestly and working together on practical solutions.
I have been influenced by every leader that I’ve had an opportunity to either work for or spend time with. When people want to show or teach me something, I have made the time to fully engage with them, recognizing that they are making an investment in me.
She also works to build enthusiasm around ideas from the team. When colleagues identify a promising improvement, Regina aims to act quickly so they can see the impact of their contribution and stay engaged in making the site better.
Regina credits the leaders around her with shaping her way of working. She acknowledges the importance of having people championing her, especially in her first leadership role, where everything felt new and challenging. “Don't go into a new role assuming that you know everything and with millions of new ideas. Leave space to learn from others,” she recommends.
A journey shaped by curiosity and connection
For Regina, success in operations starts with curiosity, humility and genuine engagement, and this is the advice she gives to any recent graduate interested in pursuing a career in manufacturing. "Regardless of what role you're in, but especially as an early career engineer, getting to witness first-hand what is being produced, how it’s being produced and who is producing it will make a great difference," she recommends. Building those relationships not only deepens technical understanding but also creates the trust needed to work together effectively.
After 25 years with BASF, Regina continues to value the people and the network of support she has found across the company. It’s this combination of shared knowledge, collaboration and willingness to help that has made her BASF journey so rewarding—and continues to shape how she leads today.
Published on November 2, 2026, by Mariana Licio.
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