Star Plastics names new CEO

Donald Wiseman will take over as CEO, while the company’s founder transitions to chief strategy officer.

Star Plastics Donald Wiseman
Star Plastics Donald Wiseman
Star Plastics

Star Plastics, Ravenswood, West Virginia, has appointed Donald Wiseman as CEO, effective this month, following the company’s acquisition by Akoya Capital Partners. Wiseman succeeds Star Plastics founder Doug Ritchie, who will now serve as the company’s chief strategy officer.

According to a news release from Star Plastics, Wiseman has held senior-level leadership roles with PolyOne, Cabot Microelectronics, Americhem and Rohm and Haas. He also has advised on multiple private equity transactions totaling more than $1 billion. At PolyOne, Wiseman managed 11 global plants and 1,500 people while serving as president of its Performance Products & Services Solutions business. Most recently, Wiseman served as interim chief operating officer and board member for GreenMantra where he helped to lead the company’s international growth.

“Don’s leadership skills, commercial and operational experience and success in delivering exceptional growth will make him a valuable addition to the Star Plastics team,” says Bob May, board chair of Star Plastics.

“Don understands our culture and is going to hit the ground running,” adds Ritchie. “His experience will be a big advantage to bringing Star closer to our growth goals.”

Ritchie held the CEO position since he founded Star Plastics in 1988, where he grew the business from a contract recycling company to a provider of custom-engineered compounds and specialty materials.