Larry Somma is a man on the move. As an accomplished endurance athlete, he has competed in 21 marathons and 17 Ironman triathlons. Accomplished in his career, Somma has landed roles that put on a few more road miles – taking him from his home state of Connecticut to Chicago, London, Miami, Boston and finally Houston, where he now serves as Vice Pre...
By Richard Shaw, Director – Sustainability & Circular Economy Sustainability is foundational to everything we do at AmSty. That's why we're proud to showcase our history and progress in our sustainability reports. This year's report, "Building Momentum," speaks to our continued headway in building a more sustainable future for our employee...
By Kevin Stallmo, Sales Director In the last book I reviewed, The 5 Graces of Life and Leadership by Gary Burnison, I mentioned another great book that took our team to the next level of resilience, The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday. This book was inspired by Marcus Aurelius, one of the greatest emperors of the Roman Empire. In January of 202...
By Dr. Randy Pogue, CEO Whether you've landed your first "real" job fresh out of college or have been in the workforce for a handful of years, it makes sense to put your nose to the grindstone and get the job done to the best of your ability. Nothing wrong with that. It's what you were hired to do. But where are you headed? If you're not deli...
By Tim Barnette, Vice President – Polymers & Sustainability Plastics, as an industry, has entered a new domain once thought unattainable. Circularity is no longer just a concept or even a goal – end-to-end plastic recycling is already here. This new reality was evident at NPE2024 – where companies from around the world came to Orlando for the f...
When Hector Bedoya was promoted to plant manager at AmSty's Torrance, California, polystyrene plant his priority was the people. He promptly scheduled one-on-one meetings with each of the 33 employees, listening intently to understand who they are, their areas of expertise, and where they saw challenges and opportunities. "As a manager, you must lo...
By Kevin Stallmo In 2022, after a long two years of adjusting to the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic, I discovered a book entitled "The 5 Graces of Life and Leadership" by Gary Burnison, CEO of Korn Ferry, the leading executive recruiting and leadership training company on the planet in my opinion. As Sales Director at AmSty, and a voracious...
Christina Guice was drawn to AmSty because of its values. As a chemical engineer who spent 12 years in various industries, she was offered the role of production engineer at the company's plant in Joliet, Illinois, in 2016 and knew AmSty was the right fit. "They genuinely care about people. I had an opportunity to meet people here and they were pro...
AmSty has an impressive record that exemplifies its dedication to safety and the environment. As highlighted in the 2023 AmSty sustainability report, "Driving Sustainable Change," the company's safety record, measured by the Recordable Incident Rate (RIR), is in the top quartile of chemical companies in the American Chemistry Council (ACC). Also, s...
Jennifer Hellmich wants employees to see what they're capable of "and get excited about it." As plant manager at AmSty's Hanging Rock, Ohio, facility, Hellmich has plenty of experience to draw upon in her leadership role. The chemical engineer has been with AmSty 14 years, serving as quality coordinator, improvement engineer and operations coach be...
By Richard Shaw, Director, Circular Economy & Sustainability I can't imagine a life without plastic, specifically polystyrene plastic, which is one of the products AmSty makes. Created from styrene monomer, another product we produce, polystyrene has a long been a favorite of manufacturers because it's durable, attractive, lightweight, to...
Plant Manager Christina Guice prides herself on a hands-off approach. As the manager of AmSty's plant in Joliet, Illinois, where high-impact polystyrene plastic is made – a material used in the interior lining of refrigerators, disposable party cups and various food and medical packaging – Guice doesn't need to micromanage. She oversees a small tea...
Supply chain management, in its most basic form, is managing the flow of goods, data and information related to a product or service – from procuring raw materials to getting the end product to its final destination. Customer satisfaction hinges on the outcome and it takes lots of players to make it happen. This is according to Bill Griebel, who re...
As vice president of operations at AmSty, Jonathan Kammerer is on the road. A lot. And he wouldn't have it any other way. "I love being at the plants, helping and supporting plant managers," said Jonathan, who has served in this role since 2019, overseeing all manufacturing, engineering, quality and reliability at AmSty's seven plants. That i...
By Richard Shaw, Director, Circular Economy & Sustainability AmSty is a leading producer of polystyrene and styrene monomer. In other words, we make plastic – a material that enhances our everyday lives in many ways, from food packaging, medical supplies and bike helmets that keep us safe to refrigerators and insulation that keep us comfortable...
AmSty is proud to have been named a finalist for the 2023 ICIS Innovation Awards, open to companies in the chemical industry that use innovation to solve problems and provide solutions for their customers and society, as well as benefitting the environment and progressing sustainability. With offices worldwide, ICIS (Independent Commodity Intellige...
Since joining AmSty in July 2022 as an Account Management Specialist, Ryan has embraced the opportunity to dive into a variety of roles within the company. Straight out of college, he saw the position as a hands-on learning experience where he worked with a variety of departments. In his words, "We’re on the frontlines every day," a challenging environment that has fueled his growth and determination to excel.
Ryan finds daily inspiration in his colleagues and values AmSty's strong customer focus, where efforts are geared toward putting the customer first. Outside of work, he’s happiest near a river, lake or mountain, pursuing fly fishing and his love for the outdoors. Ryan also strives to be the best husband, son, friend and sibling he can.
Carissa joined AmSty as an Account Management Specialist in October 2021, drawn to the company’s culture and the opportunity to transition from the oil and gas sector to the chemical industry. She quickly discovered that the collaborative, close-knit environment at AmSty was the perfect fit. Carissa particularly appreciates the family-like atmosphere and camaraderie within her team, which makes every workday enjoyable. She also takes pride in AmSty’s leadership in sustainability initiatives and is excited about being part of a company focused on forward-thinking environmental goals.
Outside of work, Carissa is a true “Jill of all trades,” spending her time on DIY home projects, from remodeling to furniture restoration and channeling her creativity and work ethic – a trait inspired by her hardworking father. When she’s not tackling a new project, Carissa enjoys quality time with her family and camping in the great outdoors. Known for her go-getter attitude, she aims to leave a legacy of determination and positivity at AmSty, guided by her motto, “Life’s tough, get a helmet.”
Since 2021, Brittni has served as the Customer Service Manager at AmSty, where she collaborates with a team of passionate individuals dedicated to customer success. Leading a team committed to going above and beyond, Brittni finds great fulfillment in fostering strong, transparent relationships with customers – earning their trust through honesty and dependability. She takes pride in consistently receiving positive feedback about her team’s efforts, reflecting the high standards they uphold.
Brittni is particularly proud of AmSty’s leadership in sustainability, including their top position in U.S. polystyrene recycling innovations. Volunteering alongside her children to recycle polystyrene, she brings this mission home, showing them the impact of their efforts in real products on store shelves. Driven by a belief that “it is more blessed to give than to receive,” Brittni’s legacy at AmSty is one of positivity, encouragement and compassion, qualities she shares freely both professionally and personally.
Mariela joined AmSty as an Account Management Specialist in June 2022, transitioning from a career in teaching. Drawn to AmSty by its positive culture, Mariela has found fulfillment in her role, especially in the camaraderie with her team. She enjoys the ever-evolving challenges of customer service, where there are always opportunities to grow and learn.
AmSty’s commitment to safety and employee well-being resonates deeply with Mariela, and she strives to leave a legacy as a friendly, dependable team member dedicated to excellent customer service. Outside of work, she proudly answers to the titles of dog mom and nature enthusiast, embracing her love for the outdoors and quality time with her furry best friend.
Since stepping into her role as an Account Management Specialist at AmSty in July 2022, Ashley has found joy in the strong connections she’s built, both with her team and her customers. Her proudest accomplishment lies in the relationships and trust she has nurtured – Ashley’s word is her bond, and when she commits, she follows through. Inspired by her family and friends, Ashley is driven to make them proud every day.
Outside of work, she is known by many titles including Mom, friend’s fashion stylist and family comedian. Ashley is a music enthusiast who lives for live events, from concerts to drive-in movies and kids' shows. Living by the words of Charlie Chaplin, “A day without laughter is a day wasted,” Ashley brings fun, warmth and dedication to both her professional and personal life.
After a career in healthcare that involved multiple relocations, Chris was excited to settle in at AmSty. Taking on the role of Account Management Specialist in 2018, Chris was drawn to AmSty’s values, mission and supportive community. Working alongside a close-knit Account Management Specialist team that he calls family, Chris appreciates the humble nature and dedication of his coworkers and the meaningful connections they’ve built.
Chris takes pride in supporting customers, particularly through challenging situations. Guided by Denzel Washington’s words, “Without commitment, you’ll never start. But more importantly, without consistency, you’ll never finish,” Chris applies his commitment to both work and community. Outside the office, he’s an active member of AmSty’s DEI and Community Involvement Committees and enjoys quality time with his family, attending sporting events and going to concerts.
Coby, who joined AmSty as an Account Management Specialist in June 2022, appreciates the company’s positive work environment and the opportunity for a good work-life balance. He is inspired and energized by his co-workers at AmSty, where he’s committed to leaving a legacy as a dedicated employee who is always ready to lend a hand.
Coby is a proud combat veteran, having served 21 years in the Army National Guard – a career that he considers one of his greatest achievements. Outside of work, he wears many hats: father, husband and coach. His passions include real estate and training young athletes, where he takes pride in helping them develop their skills. For Coby, giving back to his community and supporting others is at the heart of everything he does.
Hazel joined AmSty as an Account Management Specialist (AMS) in July 2022, drawn by the company’s mission, values and innovative approach. She values AmSty’s collaborative work environment, especially within her closely-knit AMS team, where open communication and trust create a strong foundation for teamwork and success.
Dedicated to fostering a positive work culture, Hazel aims to leave a legacy of collaboration, respect and commitment to customer care. Outside of work, she cherishes time with her husband and kids and enjoys running as a favorite pastime that helps her stay energized and focused.
Megan began her journey at AmSty as a receptionist and quickly moved up to an Account Management Specialist (AMS) role, ultimately becoming the AMS Team Lead. She finds great satisfaction in working with her supportive, friendly team, embracing the challenges that come with problem-solving in her department. Her path from temporary roles to leadership is driven by a strong work ethic and dedication to her team’s success.
Outside of work, Megan is a devoted “Baseball Mom” to her three young children – JD, Danny and Riley – who keep her and her husband Justin on the move with sports and activities. Inspired by her family, she strives to set an example of hard work and balance. In her free time, she explores her creative side through graphic design, photography, crafts and playing piano, a skill she’s enjoyed since first grade.