Resin execs talk heroes, from Silent Cal to the 'great communicator'

History was in the air last week at the Plastics News Executive Forum.

Speakers and panelists were asked to identify their favorite historical figures. The members of the resin distribution panel that I had the honor of moderating made some great choices, but time limits at the event required me to shorten their explanations of why they made their choices.

So let's give them the chance to more fully explain...

Kevin Chase, president of Chase Plastics in Clarkston, Mich., chose Calvin Coolidge, the 30th U.S. President. Chase said that Coolidge was "a very quiet but decisive leader with a dry sense of humor [and] a small-government conservative, [who] restored public confidence in the White House after previous presidential scandals."

Coolidge also "embodied the spirit and hopes of the middle class [and] could interpret their desires and express their opinions," according to Chase. Coolidge and President Ronald Reagan had very similar views on tax policy, believing that lowering taxes actually increases government tax receipts, Chase said.

Chase even shares a Coolidge quote with all of his firm's sales trainees : "Persistence: Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone will bring success."

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John Dwyer, president of Osterman & Co. in Cheshire, Conn., said that his father, Jim Dwyer "is the leader who has inspired me the most in my career.

"While not historical, Jim is certainly a momentous leader in the history of Osterman," John Dwyer said. "The three qualities I value most in a leader are humility, integrity and courage. Jim Dwyer, the CEO of Osterman exemplifies these qualities.

"I truly admire his humility under pressure," John Dwyer added. "That translates into doing the right thing, no matter how difficult; not looking for praise or credit when things are successful; and taking the blame when things don't go as planned, regardless of fault.

"He's always willing to take one for the team for the greater good, like any good coach, with grace and silent strength. He created a culture where our employees believe in him and trust him. I have watched him lead the company down paths that didn't always garner a lot of support, but through his courage and perseverance the team saw successful fruition.

"He enjoys people, cares for them personally, and impacts their lives — most all would fall on their sword for him. Many see him like a dad and I'm glad he's mine. So he is and will remain my most inspirational leader."

Ed Holland, president and CEO of the M. Holland Co. in Northbrook, Ill., selected Jon Huntsman Sr. as his favorite historical leader, adding that Huntsman — a plastics industry legend who founded Huntsman Corp. — "is one of my three heroes in life, and it's not because of the financial wealth he created, which is significant.

"It is because of what he has done with that wealth that makes him and his family number one on my leadership list," Holland said. "He has been brilliant and relentless in creating wealth, but he has been even more spectacular in using that wealth for the good of the world.

"His first love is the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is a world class facility, run like a business [not for profit] designed to cure cancer. He donated $100 million to start it, raised another $51 million from others, and launched an impassioned group whose only mission is to cure many types of cancer, and manage health care for patients going through the protocols in a humane way. My wife and I are proud to have been at the Grand Opening of the hospital at its inception.

"When his business turned bad during the mid-2000s, his financial advisors suggested he slow down or stop his philanthropic contributions while he got back on his feet. He and his wife refused. They continued their commitments in full, even at times having to borrow the money to do it. They stated that the cancer patients needs had not changed, and the Huntsman problems should not affect the hospital and patients protocols and treatments."

The Huntsman family has also been very charitable to The Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania, Holland said. "We were privileged to be at the ground breaking ceremony of the Huntsman Building as well. My son attended Wharton at that time, and it was the State of the Art building at that time. They have also supported many other charities and institutions.

"Jon has given time and energy to his church, and to the US Government as well. He was in the Nixon White House as a young man, before he started Huntsman Chemical. He has some amazing stories to tell about this period of his life. Jon continues to give away most of his fortune, and when he dies, he expects to have a zero net worth."

"My personal vision of leadership involves having a vision, create plans, motivate a team of high performers whose values are aligned with one's own, and then executing and holding accountable all to that vision. Joh Huntsman exemplifies this definition."

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John Moisson, CEO of Jamplast Inc. in Ellisville, Mo., chose Ronald Reagan, the 40th U.S. President, bcause "his values were strong and unwavering [and] he treated everyone equally and made people feel valued — everyone he ever interacted with from presidents [and] prime ministers of other countries to the door man at the White House."

Reagan also "was an incredible communicator," Moisson said, and "had the ability to sit across the table and negotiate/compromise with his opponents in politics and come to a consensus on legislation that we haven't seen since he was president.

"He maintained a great work/life balance all during the time he was in politics."