Executive Biography

David Yake is Director of Research and Business Development, heading DuPont Canada’s leading edge research and development facility, located in Kingston, Ontario. 

Mr. Yake joined DuPont in 1980 as a Research Engineer at the Experimental Station, DuPont's central research facility in Wilmington, Delaware.  Since then Mr. Yake has held various technology, business and sales management positions at sites throughout the United States and Asia, in Engineering, Fibers, Polymers and Chemicals businesses.

In 1989 Mr. Yake assumed the role of Commercial Development Manager- Specialty Isocynanates, leading teams to develop and commercialize novel product and process technology. Four years later, he was named Global Marketing Manager – Terathane™ and subsequently, was transferred to Japan in 1996. In 1997, Mr. Yake was assigned Regional Sales Manager – Specialty Chemicals and served as Regional Director – DuPont Chemical Solutions Enterprise from 1999 to 2002. Mr. Yake returned back to the United States in 2002 as Business Manager – SIP Products and US Sales Manager – DuPont Chemical Solutions Enterprise. The following year he became the Innovation Manager – DuPont Chemical Solutions Enterprise, with responsibility to accelerate the growth of the Lubricants and Surface Protection Solutions businesses through technical innovation.

Mr. Yake was transferred to Canada and named into his current position in July, 2006.

Mr. Yake was born in Michigan, United States.  He has a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Iowa State University in Iowa, United States. 

Mr. Yake lives in Kingston with his wife, Rhonda and has two daughters.

DuPont Canada is a diversified science company offering a wide range of products and services to promote our customers’ growth in markets covering agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.  Our origins in Canada extend back to 1877, and we continue our commitment today to be an industry leader in safety and environmental stewardship.  We have 1,000 employees in administrative and sales offices across Canada, as well as manufacturing operations in Thetford-Mines, Québec.  Our Research, Development and Engineering Centre in Kingston, Ontario, is a world leader in the combined development of polymer products and processes that supports DuPont businesses around the world.