HOUSTON, June 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Westlake Chemical Corporation (NYSE: WLK) today announced that it has named Steven Bender as Vice President and Treasurer. Mr. Bender will be responsible for all treasury activities to include, finance, credit, cash management, risk management, banking and investments. Additionally, he will assist with a variety of activities related to business development and investor relations.

"We are delighted that Steve has joined our management team and believe his extensive industrial experience in finance and treasury provide an ideal background to make an immediate and positive impact on our organization and business," said Ruth Dreessen, Sr. Vice President and CFO of Westlake Chemical Corporation.

Mr. Bender has over 27 years of treasury and finance experience and most recently served as the Treasurer of Kellogg, Brown and Root, Inc., a subsidiary of Halliburton. He previously held the positions of Assistant Treasurer and Director, International Treasury with the parent company. Additionally, he was employed by Texas Eastern Corporation for over a decade in a variety of increasingly responsible audit, finance and treasury positions.

Mr. Bender holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Texas A & M University and an M.B.A from Southern Methodist University.

Westlake Chemical Corporation is a manufacturer and supplier of petrochemicals, polymers and fabricated products with headquarters in Houston, Texas. The company's range of products includes ethylene, polyethylene, vinyl intermediates, PVC and PVC pipe, windows and fence components. For more information visit the company's web page at http://www.westlakechemical.com .

Contact: D. R. Hansen - Media Relations
Ruth I. Dreessen - Investor Relations
(both at 713-960-9111)
SOURCE Westlake Chemical Corporation
06/16/2005
CONTACT: media relations, D. R. Hansen, or investor relations, Ruth I.
Dreessen, both of Westlake Chemical Corporation, +1-713-960-9111
/Web site: http://www.westlakechemical.com
(WLK)
CO: Westlake Chemical Corporation