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Team 1 Plastics Announces Changes to Advisory Board

Changes have recently been made to the Advisory Board of Team 1 Plastics, a plastic injection molding company for the transportation industry. Darrel J. Reece has retired from the board, and two new members have been added, David (Dave) Donnay and Susan (Susie) Muma.

Reece, who joined Team 1’s Advisory Board in 2010, is the former President of Android Industries. His practical knowledge and experience as an owner of an automotive supplier has enabled him to share actual “been there / done that” learning experiences to which Team 1’s co-owners, Craig Carrel and Gary Grigowski have been able to relate.

One such experience that Reece has had as a company owner is to plan and implement an exit strategy – something that Carrel and Grigowski are beginning to work on. Reece shared this advice, “Backing out is a process, not an event. It needs to be planned, discussed with the various players involved, then implemented in small steps that are taken, evaluated, modified, and, as necessary, re-taken. Once a step is working, move on to the next one.”

Reece said a book that helped him through his “backing out” process was The Flight of the Buffalo: Soaring to Excellence and Learning to Let Employees Lead by James Belasco and Ralph Stayer (former CEO of Johnsonville Sausage). He added, “I think the focus should not be on each of you [owners] backing out, but rather on you developing people that increasingly push you out, as you are no longer required to do daily tasks.”

Reece summed up his time on Team 1’s Advisory Board in one word, “Unusual.” He explained, “I cannot think of another meeting or group in which I’ve participated where the participants were open, transparent, and didn’t have a hidden agenda.” He said that the owners “were brutally honest in presenting information, whether good or bad. They truly sought help and wisdom from the Advisory Board members, and they both valued our opinions and experiences. Team 1 is a well-run, very successful business and great place to work, and I am personally proud to be associated with Team 1.”

Donnay joins Team 1 Plastics’ Advisory Board with 35 years of experience in the automotive industry. He is currently Vice President of Information Technology and Business Systems at Android Industries and was recommended to Team 1 by Reece. Donnay said, “I am new to the Advisory Board role and felt honored when Darrel approached me to consider functioning in this role as his replacement.” Donnay said that he has a “strong factory-floor mindset” and that he is able to “develop unique solutions to problems.” And, he has first-hand experience of the “transition of a privately-owned company to new owners and the unintended impact on the organization.”

Muma is donning a new hat with Team 1 Plastics. Having worked for the company for nearly 20 years, Muma retired at the beginning of 2018 from her position as the company’s Controller. “I understand the financial side of the company inside and out,” Muma said. And, she expects that knowledge will be invaluable when items are introduced or discussed at the Board meetings. “My knowledge of the company’s finances will help me to know the capabilities and limitations and how they could financially affect the company.” She added, “It is exciting to be a part of Team 1 from this very different perspective. I have been involved with the financial side of what it takes. Now, I hope to lend a hand in other areas as well.”