ConventionCoverage
2025 Special Recognitions & Awards
From left: IAPD President Peter DelGado, 2025 Paul Davis Award of Merit recipient Karen Debard and IAPD Vice President Jim Richards.
Paul Davis Award of Merit
Karen DeBard
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. Karen DeBard, CPMR, President of Martino Marketing Group, is the recipient of the 2025 IAPD Paul Davis Award of Merit. The award was presented during the Wednesday General Session at the 69th IAPD Annual Convention + connecX in Chicago. A long-time industry leader, DeBard has carried forward the legacy of her father, Tony Martino, while shaping the association through service on the IAPD Board of Directors, Convention Committee, Nominating Committee and Manufacturers’ Representative Common Interest Group. She was also a key advocate in the development of the Women in Plastics Program. Known for her integrity, generosity and commitment to service, DeBard continues to make philanthropy central to MMG’s culture.
From left: IAPD President Peter DelGado, 2025 Pacesetter Award recipient Chris Corona and IAPD Vice President Jim Richards.
Pacesetter Award
Chris Corona
Chris Corona, Principal of CartierWilson LLC, has been named the recipient of the 2025 IAPD Pacesetter Award. The announcement was made during the Wednesday General Session at the 69th IAPD Annual Convention + connecX in Chicago. The Pacesetter Award recognizes members whose volunteer efforts advance IAPD’s strategic priorities, and Corona exemplifies this leadership through extensive association service. Since joining the Board of Directors in 2022, he has made history as the first manufacturers’ representative elected to the Executive Committee and has contributed to numerous groups, including the Board Strategy Task Force, Convention Committee and Membership Model & Trends Focus Group. He also serves as liaison to the Workforce Development Task Force and GenerationNext Advisory Council, helping drive programs that support industry talent development.
From left: IAPD Vice President Jim Richards, 2025 President’s Award recipient Eric Giesen and IAPD President Peter DelGado.
President’s Award
Eric Giesen
Eric Giesen, Vice President of Sales at ZL Engineering Plastics, Inc., has been named the recipient of the 2025 IAPD President’s Award. The award was presented during the Wednesday General Session at the 69th IAPD Annual Convention + connecX in Chicago. The President’s Award recognizes members who demonstrate exceptional dedication and service to the association, and Giesen’s contributions in 2025 exemplify this standard. He served on the Marketing Committee, Midwest Golf Tournament Committee, Workforce Development Task Force and Education Committee, and will soon begin his first term on the IAPD Board of Directors as chair of the Education Committee. IAPD CEO Susan Avery, CAE, praised Giesen’s reliability and leadership, noting his consistent commitment to advancing the association’s mission.
Education Circle of Champions & Education Impact 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.
Curbell Plastics, Inc.
A Gold Education Circle of Champions Award and Education Impact Award were presented to Peter DelGado, Gerry Helbig, James Forcellina, Dallas McLaughlin, Sherrie Bloom, Jeff Ostrowsky, Eddie Howe, Abdulkadir Sarac, Jeff Burke, Dr. Keith Hechtel and Luke Wittman of Curbell Plastics, Inc.
A&C Plastics, Inc.
A Silver Education Circle of Champions Award was presented to Katie Clapp of A&C Plastics, Inc.
CartierWilson LLC
A Silver Education Circle of Champions Award was presented to Deena Baker, Larry Widmann, Jennifer Lisciandrello-Crocco, Mick Fisher, Chris Corona, David Dennemann, Steve Zagami, Pete Daumeyer, Jacob Smith and Joshua Delaney of CartierWilson LLC.
Cope Plastics, Inc.
A Silver Education Circle of Champions Award was presented to Joe Laaker, Jane Saale and Alex Cannon of Cope Plastics, Inc.
Piedmont Plastics
A Silver Education Circle of Champions Award was presented to Bill Barth, Brent Breslford, Gina Fox and Randy Blankenship of Piedmont Plastics.
Interstate Advanced Materials
A Bronze Education Circle of Champions Award was presented to Sukhjeet Dhillon, Mike McKenna and Kurt Broll of Interstate Advanced Materials.
Redwood Plastics and Rubber
A Bronze Education Circle of Champions Award was presented to Greg Fraser and Lindsay Fraser of Redwood Plastics and Rubber.
Marketing Excellence Awards
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.
Curbell Plastics, Inc.
A Gold Level Marketing Excellence Award was presented to Peter DelGado, Gerry Helbig, James Forcellina, Dallas McLaughlin, Sherrie Bloom, Jeff Ostrowsky, Eddie Howe, Abdulkadir Sarac, Jeff Burke, Dr. Keith Hechtel and Luke Wittman of Curbell Plastics, Inc.
CartierWilson LLC
A Silver Marketing Excellence Award was presented to Deena Baker, Larry Widmann, Jennifer Lisciandrello-Crocco, Mick Fisher, Chris Corona, David Dennemann, Steve Zagami, Pete Daumeyer, Jacob Smith and Joshua Delaney of CartierWilson LLC.
PLASKOLITE
A Silver Marketing Excellence Award was presented to Greg Hallam, Kevin Vincent, Tim Triggiano, Jeff Bostic and Jim Richards of PLASKOLITE
Martino Marketing Group
A Bronze Level Marketing Excellence Award was presented to Kim Reddick, Victoria Kohn and Karen DeBard a of Martino Marketing Group.
Roechling Industrial
A Bronze Marketing Excellence Award was presented to Brian A. Pizzini, Matt McKenzie, Alison Damery and Sean Helms of Roechling Industrial.
AGRU America, Inc.
A Silver Marketing Excellence Award was presented to AGRU America, Inc. Not pictured.
Environmental Excellence & Environmental Impact Awards
The Environmental Excellence and Environmental Impact Awards celebrate the environmentally responsible practices of IAPD member companies. Applicants indicate their dedication to sustainable business practices through strategies such as recycling, conservation, community outreach and more.
See photos and highlights of the environmental award winners in Sustainability in Action Celebrating the 2025 IAPD Environmental Excellence and Impact Award Winners.
Gold Award recipients:
Curbell Plastics, Inc.,
Ensinger, Polymershapes and
Redwood Plastics and Rubber
Silver Award recipients:
Finger Lakes Extrusion Corporation,
PLASKOLITE and Rowmark LLC
Bronze Award recipients:
Mitsubishi Chemical Group,
NewAge Performance Products and Professional Plastics, Inc.
The Environmental Impact Award recipient: Polymershapes
New IAPD Board Members
The IAPD Nominating Committee put forth the candidates Sherrie Bloom, Curbell Plastics, Inc.; Brent Brelsford, Piedmont Plastics, Inc.; Chad Cecil, Meyer Plastics; Eric Giesen, ZL Engineering Plastics; and John Shepherd, Alro Plastics to be elected to the IAPD Board of Directors. They were voted on during the Closing General Session of the 69th IAPD Annual Convention on October 2, 2025. 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. Board members serve two-year terms and may be re-elected for a second term. The IAPD Board of Directors consists of up to 15 seats, with at least 51% held by distributor members.
Sherrie Bloom, Curbell Plastics, Inc., term to 2027.
Brent Brelsford, Piedmont Plastics, term to 2027.
Chad Cecil, Meyer Plastics, term to 2027.
Eric Giesen, ZL Engineering Plastics, term to 2027.
John Shepherd, Alro Plastics, term to 2027.
New Board Executive Committee officers
The Executive Committee, comprising the officers of the Board, is elected by the Board of Directors. Two new Executive Committee officers were elected at the 69th IAPD Annual Convention on September 29, 2025: Stephen Garmon, Primex Corporation and Jeremy Kietzke, Professional Plastics, Inc. Additionally, Jim Richards, PLASKOLITE was elected IAPD President and Hayden Hess, Industrial Plastic Supply, Inc. was elected IAPD Vice President.
Stephen Garmon, Primex Corporation, term to 2027.
Jeremy Kietzke, Professional Plastics, Inc., term to 2027.
Jim Richards, PLASKOLITE, term to 2026.
Hayden Hess, Industrial Plastic Supply, Inc., term to 2026.
Outgoing IAPD Board Members And Executive Committee officers
Michelle Betz, Alro Plastics and Jeff Burke, Curbell Plastics, Inc. completed their Board terms while Bill Barth, Piedmont Plastics, completed his Executive Committee term at the close of the IAPD Annual Convention on Thursday, October 2, 2025. Betz, Burke and Barth were recognized with awards during the General Session. IAPD thanks Betz, Burke and Barth for their dedicated service to the association!
Michelle Betz, Alro Plastics, term to 2025.
Jeff Burke, Curbell Plastics, Inc., term to 2025.
Bill Barth, Piedmont Plastics, term to 2025.
IAPD Past presidents
From left, top row: Ralph Meyer, Meyer Plastics, Inc.; Rick Gough, Polymershapes; Patrick Foose, GEHR Plastics, Inc.; Mark Casey, Professional Plastics, Inc. From left, bottom row: Jane Saale, Cope Plastics, Inc.; Peter DelGado, Curbell Plastics, Inc. and Deborah Ragsdale, Polymer Industries.
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 Presidents’ 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 Peter DelGado was presented with the navy jacket by Past President Deborah Ragsdale at the Opening General Session of the 69th IAPD Annual Convention on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. They were joined on stage by the other past presidents who were in attendance. DelGado’s term officially ended Thursday, October 2, at midnight. Thank you Peter DelGado for your service to IAPD!