2023 Special Recognitions and Awards

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From left: Past President Deborah Ragsdale, Paul Davis Award of Merit recipient Dr. Keith Hechtel and President Peter DelGado.

Paul Davis Award of Merit

Dr. Keith Hechtel

In 1986, IAPD created the Paul Davis Award of Merit to recognize members who have performed exceptional, extraordinary or outstanding service on behalf of the association and the plastics distribution industry. The prestigious 2023 Paul Davis Award of Merit was presented to Dr. Keith Hechtel, Curbell Plastics, inc. Hechtel has been working in the performance plastics industry since 1986, joining Curbell Plastics, Inc. in 2005 where he is now the senior director of business development. Hechtel has become a thought leader in IAPD and the performance plastics industry. During his time at IAPD he has served on the Education and Technical Advisory Committees, authored articles for the Performance Plastics magazine and delivered educational presentations for IAPD’s webinars, annual conventions, as well as for the Women in Plastics and GenerationNext programs. Hechtel currently serves on the DEI+B Task Force.

From left: Past President Deborah Ragsdale, Pacesetter Award recipient Leah Konrady and President Peter DelGado.

Pacesetter Award

Leah Konrady

The Pacesetter Award is presented in recognition of an IAPD volunteer leader who sets the pace for the association. Leah Konrady of Konrady Plastics, Inc. is the recipient of the 2023 IAPD Pacesetter Award. Konrady is the incoming chair of the IAPD Government Relations Committee.

“When Leah Konrady joined IAPD, everyone took notice,” said IAPD CEO Susan Avery, CAE. “It is very rare that someone comes into an association and an industry and makes an immediate and profound impact, but that’s exactly what Leah did.”

Soon after Konrady joined the Government Relations Committee leadership, she took an active role in IAPD’s process to secure a new government relations and lobbying firm – Ogilvy Government Relations. Konrady brought her Washington D.C. experience and Hill contacts, as well as a fearlessness to question the status quo to IAPD.

From left: Past President Deborah Ragsdale, President’s Award recipient Danica Chin and President Peter DelGado.

President’s Award

Danica Chin

The President’s Award is bestowed on an IAPD person or persons who has gone above-and-beyond in their service to the association. Danica Chin of PLASKOLITE was honored with this award. Chin played a pivotal leadership role in developing a three-part video series as a member of the original Workforce Development Task Force. She stepped up into the role later as task force chair and became a strong advocate for the performance plastics industry. She demonstrated outstanding leadership in taking charge of the final stages of the project. She also made significant contributions to the task force’s efforts in enhancing skilled trade employee best practices. Furthermore, she actively engaged in the DEI+B Task Force at IAPD and authored a valuable article for IAPD’s Performance Plastics magazine on their behalf. Her strong commitment to the Women in Plastics community is highly commendable.

Education Circle of Champions Awards

Katie Clapp standing between Deborah Ragsdale and Peter DelGado and holding an award

A Gold Level Education Circle of Champions Award was presented to Katie Clapp of A&C Plastics, Inc.

recipients Jennifer Crocco, Mark Trepanier, Deena Baker, Pete Daumeyer, Chris Corona, Larry Widmann, Jacob Smith and James Thomson

A Gold Level Education Circle of Champions Award was presented to Jennifer Crocco, Mark Trepanier, Deena Baker, Pete Daumeyer, Chris Corona, Larry Widmann, Jacob Smith and James Thomson of CartierWilson LLC.

recipients John Lee, Erin Eddy, Alex Cannon, Jane Saale, Roxanne Wittman, Joe Laaker

A Gold Level Education Circle of Champions Award was presented to John Lee, Erin Eddy, Alex Cannon, Jane Saale, Roxanne Wittman, Joe Laaker of Cope Plastics, Inc.

recipients Eddie Howe, Jeff Ostrowsky, Sherrie Bloom, Luke Wittman, Gerry Helbig, Jay Forcellina, Dallas McLaughlin, Patty Puglia, Keith Hechtel, Tina Sabuda, Jeff Burke, Abdulkadir Sarac and Peter DelGado

A Gold Level Education Circle of Champions Award was presented to Eddie Howe, Jeff Ostrowsky, Sherrie Bloom, Luke Wittman, Gerry Helbig, Jay Forcellina, Dallas McLaughlin, Patty Puglia, Keith Hechtel, Tina Sabuda, Jeff Burke, Abdulkadir Sarac and Peter DelGado of Curbell Plastics, Inc.

recipients Sony Dhillon, Mike McKenna, John Schwenk and Ryan Kimichick

A Gold Level Education Circle of Champions Award was presented to Sony Dhillon, Mike McKenna, John Schwenk and Ryan Kimichick of Interstate Advanced Materials.

recipients Bert Hagy, James Pro, Chad Roberts, Brent Brelsford and Bill Barth

A Gold Level Education Circle of Champions Award was presented to Bert Hagy, James Pro, Chad Roberts, Brent Brelsford and Bill Barth of Piedmont Plastics

recipients John Kilmer, Courtney Kincaid, Mike Kaszuba and Sher'ron Underwood

A Gold Level Education Circle of Champions Award was presented to John Kilmer, Courtney Kincaid, Mike Kaszuba and Sher’ron Underwood of Polymershapes

recipients Sneha Jaishankar and Jesús Zamora

A Gold Level Education Circle of Champions Award was presented to Sneha Jaishankar and Jesús Zamora of Redwood Plastics and Rubber

The 2023 Education Circle of Champions Award Gold Level recipients are:
A&C Plastics, Inc.
CartierWilson LLC
Cope Plastics, Inc.
Curbell Plastics, Inc.
Interstate Advanced Materials
Piedmont Plastics
Polymershapes
Redwood Plastics and Rubber

The IAPD Education Committee established the IAPD Education Circle of Champions award program in 2009 to the innovative or exemplary educational initiatives by member companies. It is a special recognition for those companies that emphasize continuing education within their organizations.

Marketing Excellence Awards

The Gold Marketing Excellence Award was presented to Eddie Howe, Jeff Ostrowsky, Sherrie Bloom, Luke Wittman, Gerry Helbig, Jay Forcellina, Dallas McLaughlin, Patty Puglia, Keith Hechtel, Tina Sabuda, Jeff Burke, Abdulkadir Sarac and Peter DelGado of Curbell Plastics, Inc.

recipients Kevin Duffy, Lisa Kreinces, Amanda Winters and Kevin Vincent

The Silver Marketing Excellence Award was presented to Kevin Duffy, Lisa Kreinces, Amanda Winters and Kevin Vincent of Vycom.

recipient Michael Krauss standing between Deborah Ragsdale and Peter DelGado

The Bronze Level Marketing Excellence Award was presented to Michael Krauss of AGRU America, Inc.

The 2023 Marketing Excellence Award recipients are:
Gold — Curbell Plastics, Inc.
Silver —Vycom
Bronze — AGRU America, Inc.

The IAPD Marketing Excellence Awards celebrate the creative marketing efforts by IAPD member companies. The awards are based on a point system. The point system includes many low-cost or even free options for companies who may not have a marketing budget or even a dedicated marketing department.

Environmental Excellence Awards

The 2023 Environmental Excellence Award Gold Award recipients are:
Braskem
Cast Nylons Ltd.
Cope Plastics, Inc.
Curbell Plastics, Inc.
Interstate Advanced Materials
Piedmont Plastics
Professional Plastics, Inc.
Vycom

The Silver Award recipient is:
Redwood Plastics and Rubber (first-time applicant)

These awards celebrate the environmentally responsible practices of IAPD member companies. Applicants indicate their dedication to sustainable business practices via strategies such as recycling, conservation, community outreach, employee engagement and more.

For pictures and highlights of award winners, see Celebrating the 2023 IAPD Environmental Excellence Award Winners.

new IAPD Board Members

Michelle Betz, Alro Plastics, term to 2025.

Kevin Duffy, Vycom, term to 2025.

The IAPD Nominating Committee put forth the candidates Michelle Betz, Alro Plastics and Kevin Duffy, Vycom to be elected to the IAPD Board of Directors. They were voted on during the Opening General Session of the 67th IAPD Annual Convention on Wednesday, October 25, 2023. The IAPD Nominating Committee vets and selects candidates based upon a set of criteria that evaluates their business experience, leadership skills, executive background, strategic capacity, visionary capabilities and collaborative working styles.

In the same election, the following board members were renewed for a second term: Jeffery Burke, Curbell Plastics, Inc.; Hayden Hess, Industrial Plastic Supply, Inc. and Richard Miller, Braskem.

IAPD Past presidents

Mitch Opalich, Cleveland Fab, Wayne Gono, Mark Casey, Deborah Ragsdale,Jane Saale, and Ralph Meyer

From left: Mitch Opalich, Indelco Plastics – Cleveland Fab,; Wayne Gono, Regal Plastics Supply, Inc.; Mark Casey, Professional Plastics, Inc.; Deborah Ragsdale, Polymer Industries; Jane Saale, Cope Plastics, Inc. and Ralph Meyer, Meyer Plastics, Inc..

Each year, as the IAPD president’s term comes to a close, they join the ranks of the IAPD past presidents. In a special tradition, started many years ago, the IAPD Past President’s Jacket is given to the outgoing IAPD president at a special event as a symbol of recognition and appreciation for the dedication and service of the president. President Deborah Ragsdale was presented with the navy jacket by Past President Ralph Meyer at the Opening General Session of the 67th IAPD Annual Convention on Wednesday, October 25, 2023. They were joined on stage by the other past presidents who were in attendance. Her term officially ended Thursday, October 26, at midnight.

Thank you Deborah Ragsdale for your service to IAPD!

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