WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Styrene Information & Research Center announced leadership changes at its 30th annual meeting. Executive Director John O. “Jack” Snyder is retiring after more than 24 years with the organization. Industry veteran Raymond J. “Ray” Ehrlich will succeed Snyder as the organization’s executive director.

A graduate of Yale University, Snyder joined SIRC in 1993 as manager of scientific affairs and then served as director of government affairs before being named deputy director in 1997. He became the second executive director in SIRC’s history on Jan. 1, 2002.

Throughout his SIRC career, Snyder oversaw strategic communications, readiness planning and implementation, scientific research projects, federal and state regulatory issues management, and coordinated the organization’s internal and value-chain communications programs. Accomplishments include managing the interface with the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis during work on a major styrene risk assessment in the early 2000s, coordinating a global industry research and communications partnership, and navigating the organization through multiple advocacy and regulatory challenges.

“Jack's contributions over the years have been immense and everyone at SIRC is very grateful for his great work and leadership,” said Fletcher Lindberg, chair of SIRC’s operating committee and vice president of marketing at AOC, LLC. “His steady presence and guidance over nearly 25 years has been invaluable.”

Ehrlich most recently served as director of responsible care and value chain outreach with the American Chemistry Council. Prior to that, he held government and public affairs positions with Dart Container Corporation and the Polystyrene Packaging Council. He has significant experience in polystyrene packaging and styrene industry issues management and advocacy, including previous roles as chair of the American Chemistry Council’s Plastics Foodservice Packaging Group, vice chair of the Society of the Plastics Industry’s public policy committee, an American Chemistry Council representative to The Sustainability Consortium, and commissioner for the City of Baltimore Commission on Sustainability. He holds an MBA from Loyola University in Maryland and a bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University.

“Ray’s long history with, and knowledge of, the styrene industry and its challenges will be a benefit to SIRC as we make this leadership change and plan for the years ahead,” Lindberg said.

Snyder will remain on board full-time through the end of the year and part-time in early 2018 to aid in the transition.

About SIRC

The Styrene Information & Research Center (SIRC) serves as a liaison between industry, federal and state governments, and international agencies on science and health-related issues involving styrene.Find out more by visiting www.styrene.org.