McHenry, Ill.-based Novation Industries has a new owner, president and CEO, the latest in a string of changes since its previous owner, Chris W. Metz, was arrested on child pornography charges in late 2023.
Earlier this year, Novation had announced that an unnamed private investor had signed a letter of intent to purchase the injection molder. At the time, officials declined to name the buyer.
Mary Miller of Priest River, Idaho, is now listed as the owner, CEO and president of the company on LinkedIn and on the management team section of Novation's website.
Miller's previous work experience includes co-ownership of her husband's home building and maintenance repair business, including responsibilities for accounting and payroll, according to her LinkedIn profile.
In April, then-interim CEO Robert Marten told Plastics News that Metz would have no involvement in the business after the sale, and that Novation would eventually hire a permanent CEO.
Miller did not respond to multiple requests for comment from PN.
Metz's trial date has been extended five times since March 8. His next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 4. Information about the case against Metz remains closed to the public.
Metz made the decision to sell the company in early December 2023, and initially had a letter of intent to sell Novation to Scott Baxter and Lee Shawback, who at the time were the CEO and president, respectively. But when that deal fell through, Baxter and Shawback left the company.
According to McHenry County, Ill., records, Metz was jailed on Dec. 5 and released the next day. According to the McHenry County Police Department, Metz was initially charged with one count of child pornography, which is a felony.
According to court records, Metz now is charged with 11 counts of felony possession of child pornography. The case remains under investigation.
Metz's father, Bill Metz, founded WM Plastics Inc. in 1967. Chris Metz joined the company in 1979. The business was rebranded as Novation Industries in 2013.