North Kingstown, R.I. – Toray Plastics (America), Inc.’s (www.toraytpa.com), Lisa Ahart, VP of U.S. Corporate Human Resources and Environmental Health and Safety, has received the Providence Business News’s (www.pbn.com) C-Suite Award in the category of Chief Human Resources/People Officer at a public company. PBN’s C-Suite Awards recognize C-level executives who are innovators, trailblazers, and role models and leaders in the community. The awards dinner was held on April 26 at the Omni Providence Hotel in Providence, Rhode Island. Toray employs 600 people at its headquarters in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, and another 122 at its Front Royal, Virginia, facility. Ahart supports an additional 2,100 employees at the five other Toray U.S. Group companies.

“Lisa does extraordinary work on behalf of all of Toray’s employees, and we are extremely proud of her,” says Mike Brandmeier, President and CEO, Toray Plastics (America). “She wisely positioned Toray Plastics (America)’s Human Resources Department as an integral part of our business process and has been instrumental in ensuring the company’s long-term success and viability. Senior management here values her as a partner who helps them find, develop, and retain Toray’s ‘best in class’ workforce.”

Brandmeier adds that Ahart’s work within the Rhode Island community is another essential component of the company’s success. “Lisa is the leadership behind our internship program, in which Toray hires 12 to 15 college students per year for our award-winning workforce development program created in conjunction with the state’s ‘Real Jobs RI’ program.

“She also oversees our annual contributions to United Way, including a fundraiser for Toys for Tots and the Newport Naval Station’s Caring and Sharing Program, and our sponsorship of the North Kingstown .152K Fun Run and Military Appreciation Festival.

“On a personal level, the depth of caring and compassion that Lisa shows to the community is undeniable. She gives generously of her time and money to a variety of community organizations. She personally sponsors employees' children’s sports teams and works on causes that are close to her heart, including the North Kingstown Pet Refuge and the Hope Alzheimer’s Center.”