Star Team

Meet the Star Plastics Team

The Star Plastics team is made up of smart, hardworking individuals who believe in providing high-quality solutions and exceeding customers’ expectations.

If you have any questions, please contact us at Sales@StarPlastics.com.

Daniel McMullen

CEO
DMcMullen@StarPlastics.com

Daniel McMullen holds the role of CEO at Star Plastics. With over 30 years of experience in specialty chemicals and advanced materials industries, Dan has held multiple leadership positions in various functional departments including finance, corporate development, and general management. He has international mergers and acquisitions experience ranging from deal sourcing and valuations through closings and integrations.

Dan holds a B.S. in chemistry and an MBA in finance from the University of Cincinnati and an M.S. in Chemical Engineering from Tufts University. He also is certified in Lean tools implementation and as a Six Sigma blackbelt.

As interim CEO, Dan  plays a critical role in all M&A activities. With his experience working in large and small, public, private and start-up companies, Dan works to support Star’s aggressive growth plans.

Doug Ritchie

Founder, Vice President of Corporate Strategy
DRitchie@StarPlastics.com

Star Plastics founder Doug Ritchie graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan College with a B.S. in business management. In 1988, he founded Star Plastics, then known as SDR Plastics, in Ravenswood, West Virginia. In doing so, he created a custom compounding and plastics processing business with a focus on providing the highest quality products available in the market.

Doug is on the board of Polymer Alliance Zone, a member of Society of Plastics Engineering (SPE) and the Young Presidents’ Organization; served as president for the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, and was past chairman of multiple local projects and foundations. He is also involved in the operations of related plastics projects in North America and abroad.

Doug shifted roles in 2021 from Star Plastics CEO to vice president of corporate strategy. He focuses on the company’s strategic growth, developing, and exploring future partnerships and acquisitions that will help expand Star’s products and geographic reach.

Tara Conn-Taylor

Human Resources Director
TTaylor@StarPlastics.com

Tara assumed the role of Senior Human Resources Generalist at Star Plastics in April 2022, bringing with her a wealth of experience in the realms of human resources within the oil & gas and healthcare industries. In her capacity at Star Plastics, Tara has played a pivotal role in elevating the company’s human resources infrastructure. She spearheaded the enhancement of HR policies and systems, contributing to the optimization of internal processes.

Her comprehensive approach to HR management has resulted in a more robust and efficient HR framework at Star Plastics.

Tara holds a Master of Science in Human Resource Management, as well as a bachelor’s degree in education, both earned from Marshall University. These educational foundations, coupled with her hands-on experience, uniquely position Tara to navigate the intricate landscape of human resources with a well-rounded perspective.

Sonja Butler

Director of Supply Chain Management and Continuous Improvement
SButler@StarPlastics.com

Sonja has responsibility for identifying, managing, and supporting continuous improvement projects to improve the safety, productivity, and profitability of Star. Sonja joined the company in March of 2000. Since that time, she has held numerous positions including developing and managing Star’s ERP system. Sonja has  over a decade of experience in supply chain management, scheduling, inventory management, formulation and research; over six years experience in technical procurement and purchasing; and four years in project design in the plastic and chemical fields Sonja holds an associate’s degree in chemical process technology from Washington State Community College (Marietta, Ohio).

Chuck Hoop

Business Director, Star Sales
CHoop@StarPlastics.com

Chuck Hoop has been involved in the plastics industry for over 30 years. Since 2000, Chuck has been an important component of Star Plastics. in both the sales and marketing of the business. Prior to getting into plastics in 1994, Chuck graduated from The Ohio State University and began his career in transportation and logistics.

Within the plastics industry, Chuck has extensive knowledge and expertise in the compounding and distribution of both engineering and commodity grade resins. His deep experience allows him to focus on and lead strategic commercial initiatives for growth.

As the business director of sales at Star Plastics, Chuck is responsible for strategic planning, driving key sales initiatives, product management and marketing.

Rick Addis

Director of Sales
RAddis@StarPlastics.com

Rick Addis is the director of sales for the Star Plastics outside sales team. With an MBA from the University of Akron, Rick has held a variety of sales & marketing leadership roles over the past 35 years within the plastics industry. Most recently, Rick was the director of sales at GEON, a provider of specialty polymers, where he managed multiple market segment businesses including automotive, wire & cable, and contract services.

Rick has a track record of creating and implementing growth strategies, driving a customer-centric sales focus, and providing passionate leadership.

At Star, Rick is responsible for leading the compounding commercial process. He works collaboratively with the team to improve sales, customer acquisition and growth processes.

Luke Schindler

Director of Business Development
LSchindler@StarPlastics.com

Luke has over 30 years of experience in the plastics industry and has been with Star since 1989. Prior to Star, Luke worked as the warehouse manager for the Hartley Oil Company based in Ravenswood, West Virginia. He completed business courses at West Virginia University at Parkersburg and is an integral part of Star Plastics’ leadership team. Luke’s primary responsibility is the marketing and growth of the sourcing, supplying and tolling business.

Bob Powers

Technical Manager

BPowers@StarPlastics.com

With over three decades of dedicated service in the plastics industry, Bob brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to the Technical Manager position. Bob was a nuclear power plant operator in the U.S. Navy before getting his degree in plastic processing and color development at Terra (Ohio) Community College. He began his plastics career at Thermofil where he focused on color matching and quality control, working on diverse filled and reinforced on color matching and control. Subsequently, he provided technical and regulatory services at Carolina Color (now Chroma Color). He has a comprehensive knowledge spanning production, color science, new product development, quality assurance and management.

Mike Vacek

Director of Operations
MVacek@StarPlastics.com

Mike Vacek has over 25 years of experience in plastics, having held leadership positions with Prime Colorants and Ampacet.

Most recently, he served as manufacturing director for Ampacet North America where he implemented Lean Six Sigma and operational best practices including all facets of manufacturing operations, safety, product quality, process improvements, training, and other global initiatives.

Mike earned a B.S. in mathematics and computer science from Belmont University and an MBA from Belmont University Massey School of Business.

As director of operations, Mike leads Star’s North American Operations facilities and directs Star Plastics toward its primary growth objectives. He establishes long-range goals, plans and policies, and provides strategic and tactical leadership as part of the team.


Frank Liu

General Manager of Star Plastics Shanghai

Frank.Liu@StarPlasticsSH.com

Frank Liu has been the general manager of Star Advanced Materials (Shandong)  Co., Ltd.  since 2010. He got his start in the plastics industry in 2000 as a sales representative in commodity and engineering plastics. He graduated in 2000 from Polymer Technology of Qingdao University, and then in 2006 earned an MBA at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. In 2004, Frank joined GE Plastics and now leads the Star Asia team to serve the injection molding market.


Michael Watson

Director of Business Development
MWatson@StarPlastics.com

Michael Watson started with Star Plastics, Inc in 1990. He began his career in operations and quickly moved into the Quality Lab, where he was our leader in color matching for several years before transitioning into the New Product Development leader; where he specialized in Flame Retardants and managed the UL products and listings with Underwriters Laboratory. He also worked in technical service with customers on site and became proficient in trouble shooting and product development to meet customer needs.

Because of his wide breadth of plastics experiences, Michael has extensive knowledge in production, color, new product development, and management. Michael currently is Global Product Manager, managing our Asia operations, playing a key role in developing and maintaining Star Plastic’s global presence.

 

 

 

If you have a product inquiry, please call us at 304-273-0352 or email Sales@StarPlastics.com

Tara Chambers

Sales Manager
TChambers@StarPlastics.com

Tara Chambers, a graduate of Marshall University and native of Ravenswood, West Virginia and has worked in the plastics industry for nearly 20 years. She began her sales career in the metals market, selling foundry and billet aluminum for six years. Since 2002, she has been a key resource for customers in specifying engineering and commodity-grade materials into applications. Tara worked her way up in the sales group, becoming senior account manager and sales leader, and ultimately as the sales manager.

As sales manager, Tara is responsible for both the inside and outside sales teams, along with continuing to manage her targeted accounts.

Cheyenne Shankle

Business Development Executive

CShankle@StarPlastics.com

Cheyenne Shankle is Star Plastics’ business development executive. Cheyenne graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a B.S. in chemical engineering and public policy, with a minor in business administration, She has held positions in functional development areas including sales and account management, business development, sustainability advocacy and analysis, industrial marketing, and product management.

She is experienced with circular economy products and strategies, as well as understanding customers’ needs, products, and applications in order to determine how to best meet performance requirements and technical support needs.

As a business development executive, Cheyenne uses her holistic perspective in regard to corporate, economic, regulatory and technical lenses to build relationships with and add value for customers, while also identifying opportunities for future business.


Randy Ritchey

Sr. Sales Representative
RRitchey@StarPlastics.com

Randy Ritchey is a Southern Illinois University graduate, and he came to the Star team with nearly 25 years of plastics experience, including OEM new business development and account management. Randy began his career with Polymer Resources as an account manager, growing and developing new business across a five-state region. He has also worked at Nexeo Solutions.

Randy is well versed with leading customers from the concept stage to completion, following through at all levels of the manufacturing chain to best support the customers’ needs.

Randy lives near Chicago, Illinois, with customers in Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Northwest Indiana.

Luis Moncada

Sr. Sales Representative, Mexico
LMoncada@StarPlastics.com

Luis is a veteran sales and business development manager with more than 20 years’ experience in the full cycle of the sales service process. Luis holds a B.S. in mechanical engineering with a minor in industrial engineering and recently received an Executive MBA from IPADE Business School. Luis has extensive international and multicultural experience, supporting programs, tooling builds and trials in Asia, North America, and Europe.

Prior to joining Star, Luis held the role of North American sales manager for a global leader in plastic compounded solutions where he was responsible for the development and execution of strategy for North America plastics sales. In this position, he continually exceeded single and double-digit growth targets in both sales’ revenue and gross margin.

Luis supports Star Plastics’ expansion into the market in Mexico,

Joanne Nedley

Sr. Sales Representative

JNedley@StarPlastics.com

Joanne is an industry veteran with strong direct and distribution sales experience. Utilizing her degree in polymer science, she has been engaged in olefin and TPE sales with NOVA Chemicals, Inc, and Osterman & Company as well as contract manufacturing sales with PolyOne / GEON Performance Solutions. Originally from western Pennsylvania, she now resides on a small farm in north central Tennessee.

Melanie Mosser

Account Manager
MMosser@StarPlastics.com

Melanie Mosser, a Jackson County native, has joined the Star Sales team as an Account Manager. Melanie graduated from West Virginia University with a Bachelors of Science, and has held multiple roles in Public Relations, Sales and Education. She gained valuable sales and customer relationship management experience as an Account Executive with a public relations company, and continued this experience as an Inside Sales Representative for an aluminum company. While there, she managed inventory programs, tracked orders, and helped develop market strategies based on customer feedback.

Melanie’s commitment to people, sales experience, communication skills and customer relationship management makes her a great asset to the Star Plastics Inside Sales Team.

Whitney Whitney

Sales Operations Leader
WWhitney@StarPlastics.com

Whitney Whitney is a Ravenswood, West Virginia native and has a BA degree from Marshall University in broadcast journalism and history. She has held multiple sales and marketing positions in her professional career, including an account representative position at The Epic Brands, personal coordinator at Mountain State Agency Alliance, and most recently was an inside sales representative at Constellium Rolled Products.

Whitney has experience in building strong, long-lasting relationships with prospects and customers, transparent and consistent customer service communications, as well as experience identifying new opportunities for customers. As account manager, she is responsible for the processes, tools and technologies that support the sales team, working to boost productivity, efficiency and the overall impact of sales on business performance.

Tom Ridenbaugh

Senior Sales Representative
TRidenbaugh@StarPlastics.com

Tom has held various sales roles in his professional career where he gained skills in customer service and leadership, negotiation, and relationship building. He’s also well-versed in helping customers improve and achieve their company goals, whether it’s revenue growth or production efficiency. Tom is familiar with industrial sales, most recently as the territory manager for a chemical supply company in North Carolina.

With a track record of over 18 years in sales and account management, Tom brings great expertise and enthusiasm to Star.

 

Glenn Massengill

Senior Sales Representative
GMassengill@StarPlastics.com

Glenn is responsible for generating new business through direct sales, working with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to specify Star Plastics materials in the Carolinas, Tennessee and Georgia. Glenn received a bachelor of science in biochemistry and zoology and a bachelor of arts in chemistry with a minor in graphics communication from North Carolina University. He received his master of business administration from Mid-America Christian University and has spent more than 25 years in the plastics industry in various R&D, operations, and commercial roles.

Scott Blanchard

Marketing Communications Leader
SBlanchard@StarPlastics.com

Scott Blanchard started his career in the plastics industry with Americhem in 2004. He served as corporate marketing and communications manager and specialized in corporate communications, media and public relations and marketing strategy for digital and traditional marketing channels.

Prior to joining Americhem, Blanchard served eight years as marketing and international sales manager for Kirby Company. He also spent time in customer service for Whirlpool Corporation. Most recently, Scott was communications and grants manager for Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland, Ohio – the cathedral of the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio.

Blanchard graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism. In 2001, he completed his Master of Business Administration at Cleveland State University.

 

If you have a product inquiry, please call us at 304-273-0352 or email Sales@StarPlastics.com

Jodi Roman

Customer Service Manager
JRoman@StarPlastics.com

Jodi Roman, a graduate of Mt. Vernon (Ohio) Nazarene University, has a long history in sales, management, and customer service. Having previously worked at Star Plastics in the early 2000s in a sale’s administrative role, she has since worked in several positions at Mylan Pharmaceuticals in project management before returning to Star. Jodi lives in Morgantown, WV with her husband and three children, and commutes regularly to be with the customer service team in Ravenswood.

As a customer service manager, Jodi focuses on creating and improving systems and processes to help the efficiency of our sales team and order fulfillment. She works closely with the director of sales to ensure customer service remains outstanding as we continue to grow.

Lora Cremeans

Tolling Coordinator
LCremeans@StarPlastics.com

Lora Cremeans, a Ripley, West Virginia native, has over 20 years’ experience in the plastics industry and has been a dedicated team member of Star Plastics since 1992. Prior to her work with Star, she received a business certificate from Roane Jackson Technical Center and worked at Western Dakota Insurers in Rapid City, South Dakota. Lora works with customers of Star’s tolling business unit as the lead coordinator, working with manufacturing and customer to meet their tolling needs.


Julie Cogar

Customer Service Leader
JCogar@StarPlastics.com

Julie is a Ravenswood, West Virginia native and an important part of the Star Plastics customer service team. Julie worked in the retail food industry, in a variety of roles, from inventory and AR management, day-to-day customer relations and employee training. She has gained invaluable experience in problem solving, communication and coordination with internal and external customers.

Julie is married and has two sons; she volunteers her spare time as the treasurer for both the local Cub Scout pack and wrestling club, and enjoys reading, cooking and sewing.

Julie partners with Star’s customers, coordinating with the sales team, and keeping our customers’ needs above all else.


Lauren Hinzman

Customer Service Representative
LHinzman@StarPlastics.com

Lauren is also a native of Ravenswood, West Virginia and was most recently the transportation manager for a D.O.T. compliance company. In that role, she monitored processes against regulatory standards and conducted internal reviews, ensuring quality and compliance in her work. Her communication skills, collaborative efforts, and customer service experience prospective clients will translate to outstanding service to our customers.

At Star, Lauren is a key member of the customer service team, helping serve our customers’ needs as the Sales team and the company grows.


Kasara DiScuillo

Customer Service Specialist

KDiScuillo@StarPlastics.com

Kasara DiScuillo is customer service specialist for Star. She has lived in Jackson County nearly all her life; she most recently worked for the Jackson County Assessor Office where she was business deputy clerk. She received an associate degree in applied science in business administration from West Virginia University of Parkersburg.


Julie Price

Contract Manufacturing Specialist

JPrice@StarPlastics.com

Julie Price has a wealth of experience that she brings to the Contract Manufacturing Specialist position. Her responsibilities include purchasing goods and services, communicating with supply chain and the lab, and maintains pricing history. Julie began her Star Plastics career in 2018 in operations and served as a manufacturing lead and trainer. Before joining Star, she worked for 16 years in the West Virginia Division of Corrections as a corrections officer and counselor. Julie attended West Virginia University at Parkersburg and earned a degree in criminal justice, and she received her degree as a paralegal/legal assistant from West Virginia Junior College.

Kevin Eagle

Account Representative
KEagle@StarPlastics.com

Kevin Eagle began his professional career at Commissary Operations as the receiving supervisor. While there, he was responsible for dealing with shift operations, schedules, evaluations, and physical inventory. His experience is also enhanced with computer science educational background. Kevin started with Star Plastics in 2009 in floor operations and has been in the purchasing department since 2010.

As Star’s account representative, Kevin is responsible for the procurement of raw materials to support custom compounded sales and manufacturing, along with the growth of Star’s material marketing division, PolymerVault.

 

 

Call Now Button