2024 Special Recognitions & Awards

Paul Davis Award of Merit
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. IAPD has awarded the distinguished 2024 Paul Davis Award of Merit to Deborah Ragsdale of Polymer Industries, honoring her remarkable contributions to the performance plastics industry. Since joining Polymer Industries in 1989, Ragsdale has shown impressive growth, advancing from receptionist to her current role as director of relations. A respected industry leader, Ragsdale served two impactful terms each as IAPD vice president and president. Her effective leadership of the Government Relations Committee and Political Action Committee, along with service on multiple boards and committees, has significantly strengthened the organization and established her as a trusted industry advocate.

Pacesetter Award
The Pacesetter Award is presented in recognition of an IAPD volunteer leader who sets the pace for the association. IAPD has awarded the 2024 Pacesetter Award to Mike Howser of Palram Americas, Inc., recognizing his outstanding dedication to advancing the performance plastics industry. As one of the original members of the IAPD Government Relations Committee since 2014, Howser has distinguished himself through a decade of committed service. His dedication is evidenced by his attendance at every in-person fly-in and consistent support of crucial legislative initiatives. Rising to vice chair of the Government Relations Committee in 2020 and chair in 2023, Howser has worked with IAPD’s government relations firm, OGR, to drive important industry objectives forward. His unwavering commitment and leadership have set a high standard for industry advocacy and organizational advancement.

President’s Award
The President’s Award is bestowed on an IAPD person or persons who has gone above-and-beyond in their service to the association. IAPD has awarded the 2024 President’s Award to Mark Trepanier of CartierWilson LLC, in recognition of his exceptional volunteer service to the association. For over 15 years, Trepanier has demonstrated outstanding leadership as chair of the Canadian Common Interest Group (CIG), making invaluable contributions to the Canadian Charitable Golf Tournaments and creating premier networking opportunities for IAPD’s Canadian members. Beyond his CIG leadership, Trepanier serves on the Membership Committee, was a founding member of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion + Belonging Task Force and is a contributor to Performance Plastics magazine. His reliable commitment to stepping up whenever needed and his ability to bring people together has made him an indispensable volunteer for the association.
Environmental Excellence Awards
For photos and highlights of the evnironmental award winners, see Celebrating IAPD Member Achievements in Sustainability.
The 2024 Environmental Excellence Award Gold Award recipients are: Cast Nylons Ltd., Curbell Plastics, Inc. and Redwood Plastics and Rubber.
The Silver Award recipients are: Finger Lakes Extrusion Corporation, PLASKOLITE, Professional Plastics, Inc. and SIMONA AMERICA Group.
The Bronze Award recipient is: Polymershapes.
The Environmental Impact Award recipient is: NewAge Industries.
Education Circle of Champions Awards
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 and leverage the available IAPD resources. The awards were presented by IAPD President Peter DelGado and Vice President Jim Richards during the General Session.
A&C Plastics, Inc.

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

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

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

A Gold Level Education Circle of Champions Award was presented to Mike McKenna of Interstate Advanced Materials.



A Gold Level Education Circle of Champions Award was presented to Sneha Jaishankar, Don McMillan, Dale Delmage and Jesús Zamora of Redwood Plastics and Rubber.

A Silver Level Education Circle of Champions Award was presented to Deena Baker, Pete Daumeyer, Mark Trepanier, Jacob Smith, Larry Widmann, Chris Corona, David Dennemann, Steve Zagami, Mick Fisher and Jennifer Crocco of CartierWilson LLC.
The IAPD Marketing Excellence Awards celebrate the creative marketing efforts by IAPD member companies. The awards are based on a point system created by marketers in the performance plastics industry. Awards were presented by IAPD President Peter DelGado and Vice President Jim Richards during the General Session.

A Gold Marketing Excellence Award was presented to Georgia Covarrubias of AGRU America, Inc.

A Gold Level Marketing Excellence Award was presented to Eddie Howe, Dallas McLaughlin, Sherrie Bloom, Dr. Keith Hechtel, Jay Forcellina, Luke Wittman, Jeff Burke, Gerry Helbig and Peter DelGado of Curbell Plastics, Inc.

The Gold Level Marketing Excellence Award was presented to Sean Helms, Matt McKenzie, Alison Damery, Tim Brown and Jeff Hester of Roechling Industrial Gastonia.
PLASKOLITE

A Silver Level Marketing Excellence Award was presented to Kevin Duffy, Kevin Vincent, Susan Svotelis, Jeri O’Brien, Jeff Bostic and Greg Hallam of PLASKOLITE



The Bronze Level Marketing Excellence Award was presented to Rebecca Samson-Inclan, Valerie Glover, Karen Brock-Amoah, Samantha Stacy, Autumn Werner, Alicia Spence, Amy Brandon and Anna Rinaldi of SIMONA AMERICA Group.
The IAPD Nominating Committee put forth the candidates Katie Clapp, A&C Plastics, Inc.; Brian Davis, Ensinger and Bob Healy, Mitsubishi Chemical Group to be elected to the IAPD Board of Directors. They were voted on during the Opening General Session of the 68th IAPD Annual Convention on Wednesday, October 9, 2024. 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 to 2026: Jeremy Kietzke, Professional Plastics, Inc.; Mike McKenna, Interstate Advanced Materials and Ken Schwartz, Covestro LLC – Specialty Films.

Katie Clapp. A&C Plastics, Inc., term to 2026.

Brian Davis, Ensinger, term to 2026.

Bob Healy, Mitsubishi Chemical Group, term to 2026.
Karen Brock-Amoah, SIMONA Boltaron; Dale Delmage, Redwood Plastics and Rubber and Richard Miller, Braskem (not pictured) completed their Board terms at the close of the IAPD Annual Convention on Thursday, October 10, 2024. Brock-Amoah and Delmage were recognized with awards during the General Session. Drew Schwartz, Colorado Plastics (not prictured) also completed his Board and Executive Comittee terms at the close of the convention. IAPD thanks Brock-Amoah, Delmage, Miller and Schwartz for their dedicated service to the association!

Karen Brock-Amoah, SIMONA Boltaron.

Dale Delmage, Redwood Plastics and Rubber.