The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) has named Tony Radoszewski president and chief executive officer, effective September 16. Radoszewski, a plastics industry veteran with nearly 40 years of experience in the field, joins PLASTICS after serving since 2006 as the president of the Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI).

“Tony is a skilled, experienced executive leader with the demonstrated ability to build critical relationships with key stakeholders, drive member benefits, positively enhance the profile of the industry and advance critical initiatives that will challenge us going forward,” said Wylie H. Royce, board chairman of PLASTICS, in a statement. “We are delighted to have Tony in place to lead PLASTICS into the future, building on the legacy created by Bill Carteaux, who led the association for nearly 15 years, ending with his untimely passing in late 2018. We deeply appreciate Patty Long, who has served as interim president and chief executive officer, and the entire PLASTICS team for keeping the association moving ahead and on track. We face the future with optimism and excitement and look forward to the positive contributions we know Tony will make.”

“I am grateful for this opportunity to lead such an important and respected organization,” said Radoszewski in a statement. “While I have decades of experience in the plastics industry, I know as I step in to lead the great PLASTICS organization that I have much to learn, and I am dedicated to listening to members as a top priority and understanding the opportunities and challenges we have. I have great respect for what has been done to build this association, and I am truly honored to be able to lead PLASTICS and, along with our team, take the association to the next level.”

Radoszewski, who holds a degree in chemistry from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, began his career as a polyolefins sales representative with Phillips Chemical Company in 1980. In 1986, he moved to Houston to become part of the Phillips managerial team, holding positions in pricing and supply, market development and finally as market manager for film and rotational molding. In 1992, Radoszewski was named oil and gas sales manager for Phillips Driscopipe (now Performance Pipe), based in Richardson, Texas. There, he was later named director of business development, in a new strategic division created to enhance and expand the corporate portfolio by developing new products and markets to increase the company’s position. Following that role, he became sales director for Phillips Sumika Polypropylene Company, a joint venture between Phillips Chemical Company and Sumitomo Chemical.

In 1995, Radoszewski joined Advanced Drainage Systems Inc., the world’s largest manufacturer of plastic drainage pipe, as director of marketing and business development, a position he held for seven years before being named president of Wentworth Group International, a business-to-business firm specializing in market development for industrial clients.

In 2006, Radoszewski was recruited to become the president of PPI. During his 13-year tenure there, he led efforts that increased membership, enhanced member services, improved cash flow and profitability for the association while also strengthening relationships with key stakeholders, including government.