Contact: Paula Weis
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SPI NAMES SENIOR DIRECTORS

WASHINGTON (January 24, 2005) - The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. (SPI) has announced the appointment of Karen Bland Toliver as senior director of international trade and industry statistics and Suzanne E. Charleston as senior director of public affairs for the plastics industry trade association.

Toliver comes to SPI from the law firm of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer and Feld, LLP, in Washington, DC, where she represented domestic and foreign producers involved in unfair trade proceedings before the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission. She also worked with clients on a variety of trade policy matters, such as issues related to trade developments with China, elimination of market access barriers to U.S. exports and enforcement issues arising under the framework of the World Trade Organization. Prior to joining Akin Gump, she was a staff attorney in the Office of Chief Counsel for the Import Administration in the Commerce Department. During her tenure, Toliver provided advice on enforcement of antidumping and countervailing duty laws and related customs issues.

In her new position, Toliver will work with Charleston to help drive SPI's global trade policy and will develop resources to enable SPI's members to better compete in the global plastics market. Additionally, she will direct SPI's trade missions to influential plastics processing districts around the world and will have oversight of the association's comprehensive economic studies and statistical programs.

Toliver has a B.A. in American Government from the University of Virginia and a J.D. and M.A. in Law and International Affairs from American University.

Charleston, who oversees SPI's federal and state relations programs and manages all grassroots and advocacy efforts, has more than 15 years' experience in government affairs and lobbying, on issues that range from the environment to healthcare in both the state and federal arenas. A private consultant before joining SPI, she previously lent her expertise to organizations that include the Generic Pharmaceutical Association, the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, the Associated Builders and Contractors of Metropolitan Washington, the Suburban Maryland Building Industry Association and Fleishman-Hilliard, Inc. She also spent three years in the State of New Jersey General Assembly's Majority Office.

Charleston has a B.A. in Political Science and History from the University of Maryland University College.

"We are very pleased to have professionals with Karen's and Suzanne's levels of expertise joining our organization in these critical areas," said Donald K. Duncan, president of SPI. "They are exceptional additions to the slate of experts we have in place to provide the services necessary to promote and protect the U.S. plastics industry. Their broad experience in their areas of expertise will allow them to play pivotal roles as SPI works to help our industry be an aggressive player in the global marketplace."

Founded in 1937, The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc., is the trade association representing one of the largest manufacturing industries in the United States. SPI's members represent the entire plastics industry supply chain, including processors, machinery and equipment manufacturers and raw materials suppliers. The U.S. plastics industry employs 1.4 million workers and provides nearly $310 billion in annual shipments. For more information, visit SPI on the Web at www.plasticsindustry.org.

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