media release

Date: October 20, 2017
Contact: Liz Novak, Director of Marketing and Communications, +913.345.1005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Rick Gough, Regional Director of Polymershapes, Elected IAPD President

Overland Park, KS — The International Association of Plastics Distribution (IAPD), the international trade association comprised of companies engaged in the distribution and manufacturer of engineering plastics, has elected Rick Gough as its president for 2017-2018. He was voted in by the IAPD Board of Directors at the 61st Annual IAPD Convention and Plastics Expo in Chicago, IL, USA on Wednesday, October 18, 2017 and officially takes office today for a one-year term.

Rick Gough is regional director for Polymershapes, an industry leader in the distribution of plastic sheet, rod, tube, film and associated products. He leads a sales organization comprised of 13 branch locations across the eastern United States. Gough also manages various headquarter functions including marketing, communications and training. Prior to his current role, Gough served as chief operating officer for SABIC Polymershapes’ 70 North American operations.

Gough’s plastics career began with Cadillac Plastic, where he served in roles including director of supply chain (1997-2000); corporate development, with responsibility for mergers and acquisitions (1994-1997); and manager of FP&A (1990-1994). In 2000, Cadillac was purchased by General Electric. Gough held several customer-facing roles including director of sales (2006-2015) and Great Lakes regional manager (2000-2006).

Gough earned a B.S. in Accounting from Oakland University and holds a Master in Accountancy and Business Administration from Walsh College. He resides in Mooresville, NC, USA with his wife Teresa and their three children.

“IAPD’s new expanded training center is an excellent resource for our members and is just one of the many reasons we’ve designated 2017 as The Year of Education,” said IAPD CEO Susan E. Avery, CAE. “The system provides a solution for the growing demand of educational opportunities our members seek. It houses the current trainings in IAPD University, provides a platform for the continued growth of IAPD offerings and provides access to training on the most requested topics. Every program and service IAPD provides is designed with the simple goal of helping our members increase profitability and this training center is another way of adding value while also helping our members save money.”

“IAPD is an exciting, dynamic organization that has strong support from its members,” said Gough. “I look forward to carrying the momentum from our past leadership into the future and see what exciting things we can do as the whole association aligns with our new strategic plan.”

About IAPD

The International Association of Plastics Distribution (IAPD), established in 1956, brings together performance plastics distributors, fabricators, manufacturers, manufacturers’ representatives, recyclers and service providers in an environment which encourages a free flow of ideas and information that help members build their businesses. Every program and service we provide is designed with the simple goal of helping our members increase profitability. Membership in IAPD is an affordable business investment. IAPD provides training, connections with customers and suppliers and information about developments that impact the industry.

This release and more are available in IAPD’s Press Room.

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