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Press Room
Vinyl Institute Presents Lifetime Achievement Award to Richard Mason of Shintech Incorporated
WASHINGTON, Nov. 16, 2021 – The Vinyl Institute (VI) presented Richard (Dick) Mason, Advisor to the President of Shintech, Inc., the Vinyl Institute Lifetime Achievement Award at VI’s 2021 annual conference, Vinyl360.
“Dick Mason is a cornerstone of the PVC industry and has demonstrated a lifetime of doing what is right for the industry,” said Ned Monroe, President and CEO of the Vinyl Institute. “The global PVC industry is indebted to his leadership on critical industry issues. In addition, throughout his career at Shintech, Dick continues to make it a priority to get to know and actively engage with employees and with the communities where Shintech operates. He and his wife, Susan, are on a first name basis with many of the local residents. He continues to set the gold standard when it comes to community relations. We are extremely pleased to be able to recognize Dick Mason with this award.”
The Lifetime Achievement Award was established to recognize outstanding service to the vinyl industry over a person’s career.
Mr. Mason actively participates in community advisory panels (CAPs) in Texas and Louisiana. For Shintech, the CAPs are a vital connection to the local communities. Mr. Mason has seen firsthand how the Louisiana CAP, has evolved over the last two decades into a meaningful partner in community development and local hiring. It has morphed into a self-governing body with community representation, charters, and direct engagement with Shintech management.
As a result of his active engagement with the CAPs, Shintech developed and runs a training program to promote local hiring through upskilling. The training program, which takes place over seven weeks, is completely funded by Shintech, and focuses on teaching a mix of skills. This training program gained respect quickly and has helped build a talent pipeline for the company and the local community.
Mr. Mason also encourages Shintech facilities to participate in community outreach efforts which range from school supplies drives, foodbank collections, to providing donations for educational scholarships.
In 1987, Mr. Mason joined Shintech, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd. in Japan Shintech has manufacturing facilities in Freeport, Texas and Addis and Plaquemine, Louisiana. In addition to his responsibilities as the principal financial officer, Mr. Mason has also been involved in Shintech’s relations with federal, state, and local governments and with community affairs.
Mr. Mason served in the US Army from 1965 through 1968 including two years with the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) in the Republic of Viet Nam. From 1969 through 1996, he served in the US Army Reserve with the 12th Special Forces Group (Airborne). His awards and decorations include the Silver Star (1st Oak Leaf Cluster), the Air Medal, the Purple Heart (1st Oak Leaf Cluster), the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Aircraft Crewmember’s Badge, the Master Parachutist’s Badge, the Pathfinder Badge, and the Korean Master Parachutist’s Badge.