Contact: Paula Weis
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SPI'S HALSEY SUCCUMBS TO CANCER

WASHINGTON (April 22, 2005) - Douglas D. Halsey, longtime Director of Midwest Regional Operations for The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. (SPI) and Executive Director of SPI's Sheet Producers Division, died April 18, 2005, at Elmhurst Hospital near Chicago, IL, from complications related to Multiple Myeloma. He was 52.

Halsey, who had been active in the plastics industry for more than 20 years, first came to SPI in 1993, as Field Coordinator for the association's Northeast Region. He left the company, returning in 1999 to head up SPI's Midwest Regional office. Under his leadership, SPI Midwest implemented a number of member-driven initiatives, including lean manufacturing workshops, worker training and certification programs, industry legislative days and a well-received annual business and technology conference.

In 2002, Halsey also was named executive director of SPI's Sheet Producers Division. In this role, he worked to promote the use of good manufacturing practices among the group's 32 member companies - producers of plastic resins, manufacturers of sheet and/or roll stock and manufacturers of machinery used in the extrusion of plastic material. Halsey was instrumental in advancing the group's biannual conference series, which provided members' with opportunities to discuss progress on current issues, to establish new programs important to the accomplishment of the division's objectives and to network with their industry peers.

"Doug was always excited about the plastics industry and communicating the value that SPI brought to our members," said Catherine Randazzo, SPI's chief operating officer, "Members and staff alike found him a pleasure to work with and appreciated his professionalism. He had a great sense of humor and made many friends throughout the industry and among his colleagues. Doug's courage in combating his illness was remarkable and inspirational to all who knew him. He will be sorely missed and always appreciated by those who knew him," she said.

"Doug was passionate about this industry and his contributions to it via SPI," said Patti Gillespie, assistant director of SPI's Midwest Regional Operations, who worked with Halsey for many years, "He was in the job he truly loved. He brought integrity, humor, intelligence and humility to everything he did. His energy and influence (spark?) will continue to inspire those of us who were fortunate to know this most excellent human being."

Doug is survived by his wife, Deadra and son Zachary, 12. A memorial is planned for Sunday, April 24th at 3:00 pm at Ahlgrim Funeral Home in Elmhurst. Visitation will be from 1-3 pm. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his name to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. For more information, link to http://www.multiplemyeloma.org/.

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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