Patricia Mishic O'Brien has been named chief sustainability officer at materials firm Teknor Apex Co.
The appointment at the Pawtucket, R.I.-based firm was effective March 3. In a news release, officials with Teknor Apex said O'Brien will be responsible for developing and overseeing the firm's sustainability strategy and its alignment with the company's long-term vision and business goals.
O'Brien "has a proven track record of successfully collaborating with key stakeholders to ensure sustainability is embedded in operations, product development and overall corporate strategy," CEO Don Wiseman said.
"We are delighted [O'Brien] has joined the team to help us sharpen our focus on responsible stewardship, ingenuity and sustainable investment," he added.
Officials also said O'Brien's appointment "strengthens [Teknor Apex's] focus on contributing to a circular economy, incorporating sustainable practices … and helping customers meet their sustainability goals."
O'Brien said in the release that Teknor Apex "has a decades-long legacy of combining expertise in compounding with environmental awareness" and that she "looks forward to advancing [the firm's] sustainability journey and to helping our customers achieve their sustainability-related objectives."
O'Brien most recently was chief commercial officer at bioplastics maker UBQ Materials in 2023-24. In that role, she was responsible for sales operations, marketing and technical service and development. Her career also includes 16 years with materials firms Dow Inc. and A. Schulman Inc.
Teknor is one of North America's 30 largest compounders and concentrate makers. The firm operates 13 plants worldwide and has annual sales of more than $1 billion. Teknor products include PVC compounds, TPE and engineering resin compounds, as well as garden hoses.