NEWSLETTER DECEMBER Message from the President, Laurie Pedziwiatr

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "NEWSLETTER DECEMBER Message from the President, Laurie Pedziwiatr"

Ethelbert Franklin
5 years ago
Views:

HEADER CHICAGO DRUG & CHEMICAL ASSOCIATION FOUNDED IN 1900 OUR 114 TH YEAR Laurie Pedziwiatr, President Karen Desmond, Vice President Kip Coco, Secretary Brian Bloom, Treasurer WWW.CD-CA.

President, Laurie Pedziwiatr The year is almost over! Where did it go? I m sure a lot of you are feeling the same way.

1 HEADER CHICAGO DRUG & CHEMICAL ASSOCIATION FOUNDED IN 1900 OUR 114 TH YEAR Laurie Pedziwiatr, President Karen Desmond, Vice President Kip Coco, Secretary Brian Bloom, Treasurer NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2014 In this Issue: Holiday Party 2 Holiday Party 3 Member News 4 Publicity Page 5 Legends of the CD&CA 6 CD&CA Annual Meeting Recap 7 Calendar of Events 8 Message from the President, Laurie Pedziwiatr The year is almost over! Where did it go? I m sure a lot of you are feeling the same way. It seems like it was just yesterday when we had our 2014 formation meeting and it was the start of my presidency. A lot of activities have taken place since then, including for the first time, a breakfast, along with a luncheon and the usual golf outings. Our Program & Luncheon committee also hosted a repeat bowling event and of course our Annual Meeting and Silent Auction. As I accepted the role of President, I challenged each of you to continue participating in events, as our organization is only as good as those who actively participate. It was great to see so many new faces at some of the events and of course it s always great to see many of the familiar faces as well. (I didn t say old faces.) I really appreciate all the hard work and dedication by the officers, board or directors, committee volunteers and you, our members for attending the various functions. We continue to have challenges in juggling our jobs, our personal lives and other responsibilities along with commitments to our association and its members, but I am proud of the efforts and accomplishments made by all. If you haven t served on a committee, please consider doing so. It is very rewarding. (That s how I started out and my enthusiasm kept growing over the years). I was honored when I was asked to become a director on the board and have enjoyed the journey along the way leading up to the Presidency. I am saddened that my time as President is winding down, but I know the organization will continue to be great as we move forward. I personally want to thank my predecessor, Barbara Laffey for her continued support throughout the years and wish her well as our newest Honorary Member. I also want to thank all the current board members and Vern Karris, our Administrator for making my job as President seem easy despite some of the challenges we faced. I wish our President elect Karen Desmond, the officers and board of directors all the best in 2015 and look forward to serving as Ex-Officio. Let s keep our association going strong and continue to foster and promote good will among our members. Our upcoming Holiday Party at the Hilton Lisle will be our last official event for this year. I am looking forward to seeing you there. I want to extend best wishes to each of you as the year comes to a close. Take time to enjoy the holidays. Have a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year! Jill Broz Joe Bruzdzinski Jr. Cheryl DePasquale Lou DePasquale Eric Egan Jerry Hahn Patrick Kapsa Diana Watson Charles Wyack Jr. Ex-Officio: Barbara Laffey Vernon E. Karris, Executive Administrator DIRECTORS 2014

Lisle, IL 60532 Rooms available at special discounted

or booking online before er 4th at http://www.hilton.

2 HOLIDAY PARTY! Chicago Drug & Chemical Association ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY December 11th, :00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Hilton, Lisle/Naperville 3003 Corporate West Drive Lisle, IL Rooms available at special discounted rate of $85 by calling , Group code CDCA, or booking online before December 4th at Cash Door Prizes Holiday Music provided by Grant Street String Quartet $ includes open bar, appetizers, carving station, fresh pasta station and dessert Tickets available at or contact Vern Karris (708) or R.S.V.P. by December 4,

HOLIDAY PARTY Chicago Drug & Chemical Association Annual Holiday Party December 11, 2014 Hilton Lisle Hotel from 6 9 pm Followed with

maximum time socializing and networking with top executives in the Chemical Industry from the Chicago Area and around the country.

Entertainment will be provided by: The Grant String Street Quartet. Make your reservations now!

It is a great way to have discussions, share information and stay in touch, etc. To join the group, please go to: http://www.linkedin.

3 HOLIDAY PARTY Chicago Drug & Chemical Association Annual Holiday Party December 11, 2014 Hilton Lisle Hotel from 6 9 pm Followed with Hospitality Suites from 9 PM till 12:00 am This year s event will be held at the Hilton Lisle Hotel (right across the street from last year s location). Karen Desmond (Philchem) and her committee have scheduled a truly special night with a food package that will allow us to spend the maximum time socializing and networking with top executives in the Chemical Industry from the Chicago Area and around the country. And additionally, a Special Drawing of five $100 Cash Prizes will be held for all members and guest present. Entertainment will be provided by: The Grant String Street Quartet. Make your reservations now! Chicago Drug & Chemical Linkedln Group We have created a group on LinkedIn for the CD&CA. It is a great way to have discussions, share information and stay in touch, etc. To join the group, please go to: To join the CD&CA group, you must be a member of LinkedIn. LinkedIn is free and setting up a new account only takes a few minutes. Please join the discussion on LinkedIn. Welcome to Shutterfly We have created a website called Chicago Drug & Chemical Association to share pictures with our members. Please check it out at 3

MEMBER NEWS New Member Mini Bios Matt Snyder (Calumet Specialty Products) Hometown: Little Rock, AR Military Service/College: Sam Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas Fayetteville.

4 MEMBER NEWS New Member Mini Bios Matt Snyder (Calumet Specialty Products) Hometown: Little Rock, AR Military Service/College: Sam Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas Fayetteville. BSBA Financial Management and Investments Family: My family lives in Little Rock, AR. I recently moved back to Little Rock and asked my fiancé to marry me. We are getting married April 25th, Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy working on my home and making improvements, spending time with my family, tennis, running with the dog, football, and soccer. Charity Work/Volunteer Work/Coaching: I volunteer for Big Brother Big Sister in Little Rock, AR. My little brother s name is Ramaun Baker who is in the 8th grade and doing extremely well for himself. We often attend Ramaun s football or basketball games and every now and then we will go to a movie. He is a great kid! Awards/Accomplishments: 3x Fantasy Football Champion Anything else of interest that you might like to add: I am the Solvent Account Manager for the Midwest and Canada at Calumet Specialty Products. Dawn Drass (Rowell Chemical) Name: Dawn Drass Hometown: Tampa, FL Family: I have 1 daughter and 2 dogs. Married for almost 25 years. Hobbies/Interests: Running. I ran my first 5K in July and hope to run another in the spring, and hopefully increase to a 10K next summer. Member News Vern Karris (CD&CA Administrator) Vern & Carol Karris celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in October with a renewal of vows ceremony, and a party for family and friends at Silver Lake Country Club. Then they enjoyed some relaxing time in San Diego. Patty Gleason (Alexander Chemicals) Patty reports that her daughter Lauren, made the Varsity Golf Team at Downers Grove South High School and just received her Varsity Letter this month. Patty said she can say with all honesty, she is not following in my footsteps! Lou DePasquale (Acid Products) Who proposed marriage on their 76th birthday? Our very own Lou DePasquale who said it would never happen again, but his girlfriend Connie of 6 years, has captured his heart. The happy couple will wed in 2016 as that is when Lou will be done celebrating this year s birthday. And now a word from our own Officer Friendly Jerry Maziarka (Emco Chemical) Jerry reports in his continuing series on helping us become law abiding, ticket avoiding, safe driving: Okay, so now you re driving in your car, listening to music, obeying the speed limit in construction zones, not using a handheld phone of texting or ing. Are there any other new laws that you should be aware of? Yes, the new anti-littering law. It s a violation to throw from the car any trash be it a cigarette butt, food, wrapper, paper cup, gum, candy, etc. I can t wait to see what new laws are going to be enacted next year, but I m sure they will all make us better drivers. Editor s thoughts: Have to wonder if Barney, excuse me, Jerry is now carrying a bullet in his pocket in the event he has to make a citizen s arrest the next time a biker flicks a cigarette butt? Can one buy a motorcycle with an optional ash tray? Can a lawsuit be far behind? To learn more about the upcoming CD&CA Outings, Meetings and to view Photos of past events please visit us at: 4

5 PUBLICITY PAGE Where s the entrance to the exit? P. T. Sailor Man Yes, this is our favorite (the last is always the favorite) newsletter for 2014 Publicity Committee.! Quoth the raven, `Nevermore. Edgar Allan Poe A special thanks to the following for all their help on the committee: 2014 Publicity Committee Members: Bob Arquilla LA Chemical BArquilla@aol.com Dawn Drass Rowell Chemical ddrass@rowellchemical.com Patty Gleason Alexander Chemical patty.gleason@alexanderchemical.com Bob Miller BHS Marketing bobm@bhsmarketing.com Jerry Maziarka Emco Chemical jmaziarka@emcochem.com Jonathan Rierden Rierden Chemical jonathan@rierdenchemical.com Bryce Vander Ark Paraclete Management Bryce@paraclete.us Cheryl DePasquale Acid Products cheryl.de@acidproducts.net Co-Chair Chuck Wyack Seeler Industries cwyack@aol.com Chair Without their invaluable help it would not have been possible for me to put these newsletters together, and to find someone where I could misdirect the blame. As a team, we can only hope you enjoyed reading them more than we did putting them together. Chuck Wyack (Seeler Industries) PS. One final thought on the wisdom of P.T. Sailor Man that we all might do well to keep in mind for our own personal lives I yam what I yam, and that s all that I yam. Rainbow Printing The members of Publicity Committee would like to extend a special thank you to Patrick O Neill (Rainbow Printing) and his team of Beth O Neill, Jen Villarreal and Kelly Isaacson who were all so helpful and patient with us while formulating the CD&CA Newsletters. There is a saying in the Information Technology Industry that states Garbage In, Garbage Out. When working with Rainbow it is a case of Garbage in, Grandeur Out. Bryce Vander Ark (Paraclete Management) in one of his CD&CA Newsletter Transportation News Segments explained the many reasons for the current tightness of Rail Cars. With all due respect to Bryce and, his father Doug, I contend they may have missed a major contributor to the rail car shortage. In the past, Rainbow just had to sprinkle a Wee Bit of Pixie Dust on the CD&CA submissions to come out with a fantastic finished product. During the last year, they have been forced to buy it by the train load. The Publicity Committee sends Heather BORITZKE (Hydrite) our sincerest apologies for spelling her name wrong in recent newsletters more than a few times! Thanks for being such a great sport about it Heather, and for all your support with the CD&CA. 5

6 LEGENDS OF THE CD&CA Legends of the Chicago Drug and Chemical Association EDWARD POLEN, President and CEO of EMCO Chemical Distributors, Inc. In 1966, after graduating from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, Edward moved to Chicago and began his working career as a Registered Pharmacist for Walgreens. In 1969, he met a neighbor of his sister, Marshal Sher, who was working at the time for Big Ben Chemicals. Marshal indicated that there was a sales opening, and urged Edward to interview for the position. Edward did interview, and began his chemical career working at Big Ben from 1969 thru Edward started his own chemical packaging and distribution company, E-M Company, out of his home in Highland Park in The humble beginning in his garage was for packaging windshield wash solvent and paint thinner, and the resale of drain cleaner. Shortly thereafter, he rented space in North Chicago and started his chemical distribution business with 1 employee and 1 truck; he took orders, filled them and drove a rented truck to deliver them. In 1985 Edward was required to change E-M Company s name to EMCO Chemical Distributors, Inc. Since that time, his growth has been phenomenal. Today s employment is in excess of 400 employees and yearly sales in excess of $300 million. The company encompasses a full line of services providing custom packaging, industrial chemicals, specialty chemical, fine ingredients, and waste services. There are multiple facilities throughout the Midwest and in Canada. In 2013, EMCO s team engineered, retrofitted and built EMCO s new corporate headquarters in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin. A 30-acre, 260,000 square foot, new state-of-the-art, manufacturing and chemical distribution facility. This location includes 10 miles of stainless steel piping, 1.1 million gallons of bulk storage, a clean room built to ISO 8, Class 100,000 Standards, a warm room, three indoor truck scales, capacity for 26 rail cars, and fully staffed lab and technical services. Twelve years ago, Edward co-founded Youth Build Lake County. A charitable program that takes at risk men and women, ages 18-24, and assists them with work place training, jobs, and help with obtaining GEDs or high school diplomas. This program in Lake County has helped many since its inception and continues to receive Edwards support and involvement. Every year since the 9/11 disaster, EMCO has conducted a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at all of their facilities, honoring local fire and police first responders. Ceremonies include quite moving presentation of the colors by sky divers, and military aircraft flyovers. During the recent disasters of the Oklahoma tornados, and hurricane Sandy, besides personal contributions, Edward pledged and matched any amount of contributions made by his employees. He is a member and former regional president of the NACD, and a member of the Chicago Paint and Coatings Association, as well as Chicago Drug and Chemical Association. He has been a member and active supporter of our organization since Edward was recently awarded the Entrepreneur of the Year award by the Kenosha County Chamber of Commerce and the Kenosha Area Business Alliance. Edward would be the first to say that there were many other people involved with his success in our industry, But his personal direction and involvement are the, and continue to be, the driving force that results in the accomplishments EMCO has achieved. He is a Chicago Drug and Chemical Legend. 6

CD&CA ANNUAL MEETING RECAP CD&CA Annual Meeting Welcome to our new CD&CA President Karen Desmond (Philchem).

Jerry Hahn Director, 2 year term Joe Bruzdzinski Jr. Director, 2 year term Megan Peboontom Director, 2 year term Gina Peart Director, 1 year term Charles Wyack Jr.

McKenna Ganassin Kelly Kons Shannon Miller Kyla Swain Robert Ganassin (Hawkins Chemical) Mary Kons (Evonik-Goldschmidt) Bob Miller (BHS Marketing) Judi Swain (Columbus Chemicals) Additionally, a

7 CD&CA ANNUAL MEETING RECAP CD&CA Annual Meeting Welcome to our new CD&CA President Karen Desmond (Philchem). The CD&CA nominating committee presented the following slate of nominees for 2015: President Karen Desmond Vice President Kip Coco Secretary Brian Bloom Treasurer Diana Watson Director, 2 year term Jerry Hahn Director, 2 year term Joe Bruzdzinski Jr. Director, 2 year term Megan Peboontom Director, 2 year term Gina Peart Director, 1 year term Charles Wyack Jr. Ex Officio Laurie Pedziwiatr A unanimous vote was cast for the nominees presented. CD&CA Scholarships and Grants Awarded The Following CD&CA Members only scholarships were awarded. McKenna Ganassin Kelly Kons Shannon Miller Kyla Swain Robert Ganassin (Hawkins Chemical) Mary Kons (Evonik-Goldschmidt) Bob Miller (BHS Marketing) Judi Swain (Columbus Chemicals) Additionally, a special grant was awarded to: Maywood-Melrose Park-Broadview School District 89. (below) Accepting the CD&CA Grant from Barbara Laffey for School District 89 was Executive Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent Manella Sanchez and Superintendent Dr. Michael Robey. If you would like to learn more about School District 89 please visit their web page. 7

HEADER Visit us on the web at: www.cd-ca.

on CD&CA history CHICAGO DRUG & CHEMICAL ASSOCIATION 14101 William Drive Orland Park, IL 60462-2018 (708) 403-7884 vern@cd-ca.

8 HEADER Visit us on the web at: View our calendar of events Download membership forms Order CD&CA event tickets Catch the latest news Sign up for committees Submit Newsletter items Read up on CD&CA history CHICAGO DRUG & CHEMICAL ASSOCIATION William Drive Orland Park, IL (708) CHICAGO DRUG & CHEMICAL ASSOCIATION CALENDAR OF MEETINGS & EVENTS 2014 July 21, 2014 Golf Outing Seven Bridges September 15, 2014 Chemical Cup Golf Outing Klein Creek October 15, 2014 Bowling Outing Woodridge, IL November 6, 2014 Silent Auction LaGrange Country Club December 11, 2014 Christmas Party Hilton Lisle Hotel

NEWSLETTER JANUARY Mark your CALENDAR. CD&CA February Breakfast

NEWSLETTER JANUARY Mark your CALENDAR. CD&CA February Breakfast HEADER CHICAGO DRUG & CHEMICAL ASSOCIATION FOUNDED IN 1900 OUR 119 TH YEAR President, Cheryl DePasquale Vice President, Megan Peboontom Secretary, Bob Miller Treasurer, Chris Wrobel WWW.CD-CA.ORG NEWSLETTER