s IAPD celebrates the accomplishments of its 2025 award recipients, their achievements also set the stage for the next group of industry leaders and organizations to be recognized. Each award reflects a different way IAPD members are making an impact, from leadership and service to education, marketing, environmental responsibility and innovation.

With the 2026 IAPD Annual Convention approaching, excitement is building around who will be recognized next. The 2026 award recipients will represent the people and companies continuing to move the performance plastics industry forward through their ideas, commitment and contributions. Who will join the distinguished group of IAPD award winners this year? Stay tuned as IAPD prepares to celebrate the 2026 honorees in Atlanta.

Karen DeBard, CPMR, president of Martino Marketing Group, received the 2025 IAPD Paul Davis Award of Merit, one of the association’s highest individual honors. Established in 1986, the award recognizes members who have provided exceptional, extraordinary or outstanding service on behalf of IAPD and the plastics distribution industry. DeBard’s decades of service include two terms on the IAPD Board of Directors and more than 10 years on the Convention Committee, including several years as chair. She also served on the Nominating Committee, participated in the Manufacturers’ Representative Common Interest Group and supported the IAPD Political Action Committee and IAPD Charitable Foundation’s Scholarship Program.

DeBard also played an influential role in the development of IAPD’s Women in Plastics Program. While serving on the IAPD Board, she advocated for the initiative during its formative years, helping secure support from member company leaders and establish the program as one of IAPD’s signature initiatives. Her commitment to service extends beyond the association through philanthropy, nonprofit support, volunteerism and mentorship, reflecting the leadership and service represented by the Paul Davis Award of Merit.

Chris Corona, principal of CartierWilson LLC, received the 2025 IAPD Pacesetter Award, which recognizes a member whose volunteer efforts align with the association’s strategic priorities and help advance the performance plastics industry. Corona joined the IAPD Board of Directors in fall 2022 and made IAPD history in October 2023 when he became the first manufacturers’ representative elected to the IAPD Executive Committee.

Corona’s involvement has included service on the Board Strategy Task Force, Convention Committee and Membership Model & Trends Focus Group, as well as serving as board liaison to several IAPD groups. His work with the Workforce Development Task Force and GenerationNext Advisory Council helped guide strategies and programs focused on attracting, recruiting and retaining talent in the performance plastics industry. Through his involvement, Corona demonstrated the forward-looking volunteer leadership recognized by the Pacesetter Award.

Eric Giesen, vice president of sales at ZL Engineering Plastics, Inc., received the 2025 IAPD President’s Award, which recognizes members who go above and beyond in their volunteer service to the association. In 2025, Giesen served on the IAPD Marketing Committee, Midwest Golf Tournament Committee, Workforce Development Task Force and Education Committee. His involvement across these groups demonstrated a commitment to several of IAPD’s priorities, including education, workforce development and member engagement.

At the time of the award, Giesen was preparing to become chair of the IAPD Education Committee and begin his first term on the IAPD Board of Directors. His willingness to take on responsibilities across the association and contribute where needed exemplified the volunteer leadership recognized by the President’s Award and demonstrated how individual involvement can help advance IAPD and the performance plastics industry.