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South Elgin executive a third-generation in plastics industry

When Gretchen Hoffer Farb worked as an accountant for a few years, she realized it wasn't the career she really wanted. So she approached her father, William Hoffer, president of Hoffer Plastics Corp. in South Elgin, a privately held family owned manufacturer that started in 1953.

He found a spot for her and now, more than 9 years later, she has learned about the plastics business inside out and was recently selected to join the Plastics Environmental Council as a company representative. The group is a nonprofit with companies and other professionals who help to make earth-friendly decisions involving plastic biodegradability.

“We document every pound of plastic and where it's going,” Gretchen said about her company. “Products are shipped to customers or other pieces go to recycling.”

Such vigilance for the environment and care for the company are qualities that are inherited for this third generation supply chain director.

“When I first started, I found it was important to listen,” Gretchen said. “So many people have been here for decades and they're the best teachers.”

She admits that coming from a CPA background, she didn't know much about the plastics industry. But she learned from mentors at the company and soon helped the company grow. The company reopened a plant and made it state of the art, she said.

When she's not working, she enjoys church activities and traveling through Europe, Costa Rica and throughout the United States, she said.

While some travel is personal, she finds she has been traveling some for business, reaching out to customers face to face.

“Working in a family business isn't only the culture, but the family, integrity and trust,” she said. “Yo do what's best for the company and our customers. It's a whole different environment.”

Spirited debut for plant

Paul Gallagher, supply president for Diageo North America; Rocky Wirtz, president of Wirtz Corp.; Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, state senator of 49th District; Michael P. Collins, mayor of Plainfield; Larry Schwartz, president of Diageo North America; Tom Cross, state representative of 97th District; and Erik Snyder, vice president of operations were among those on hand to mark the completion of a $120 million expansion of Diageo's bottling facility in Plainfield. It bottles Smirnoff No. 21 and flavored vodkas and Smirnoff Ice malt beverages.

Entrepreneur opens another store

Glenview native Megan Tamte, founder and CEO of Hot Mama, just signed a lease to open a store in downtown Birmingham, Mich. in March 2014. Earlier this year, we wrote that she opened a store in Wheaton. The retailer, which caters to mothers who want to look trendy, was founded in 2004 and now has more than 35 stores. Tamte now lives in Edina, Minn., by the flagship store. In June, Ernst & Young also named her Entrepreneur of the Year Upper Midwest and she will attend the national event in November in Palm Springs, Calif.

Honoring a customer

Jesse Jarrett, general manager at Culver's in Zion, signed up frequent customer George Houchin of Waukegan to be a part of a future Honor Flight, which brings World War II veterans to Washington, D.C. to see the memorial. George had considered the flight in the past, but Jarrett applied and ultimately convinced Houchin to consider the flight if he went as a guardian. Stay tuned.

FastTrack

Mitchell A. Sabshon is the new CEO of Inland Real Estate Investment Corp. in Oak Brook, succeeding Robert Parks, who will continue as chairman. Sabshon recently served as chief operating officer of Cole Real Estate Investments and will join Inland this month. ... Alla Bodner, a doctor of obstetrics and gynecology, joins The Vista Physician Group in Grayslake. She's fluent in the Russian and Spanish languages. ... Katy Smart, who left Santa Rosa, Calif., is the new client care coordinator at Eggar Insurance Agency in Geneva.

Mukund “Mac” Rao is the new chief financial officer at Veracity Hospitality in Gurnee. It's a newly formed independently held hotel and resort management company that manages the KeyLime Cove Indoor Waterpark Resort in Gurnee. ... Alissa Adler, principal at Podolsky|Circle in Riverwoods, said Podolsky|Circle CORFAC International has been named manager, agent and asset adviser for a seven-building portfolio that includes office, industrial and retail buildings totaling 164,000 square feet in the city and western suburbs.

Steven L. Haddad of Glenview, the senior attending physician at Illinois Bone & Joint Institute, was named president of the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society. ... Doug McAllister, owner of Douglas Automotive in Barrington, said the company will move from their Hager Avenue shop to expanded facilities at 417 West Main St. in Barrington. This is the second expansion for the 12-year-old company. ... M.J. Seiler, broker/owner of Century 21 Kreuser & Seiler in Libertyville, said sales associates Laura Reilly and Dan Timm recently earned the Century 21 system's Centurion Producer Award.

Beth Peterson has been hired as director of marketing by Illinois Business System in Downers Grove and will report to President Richard M. Mytnik. ... Marcie Lance has been named chief financial officer of Creative Marketing Associates Inc. in Northfield. She also is a co-founder of the public relations and marketing firm, representing clients in various industries for public relations, advertising and social media.

Ÿ There's more to business than just the bottom line. We want to tell you about the people that make business work. Send news about people in business to akukec@dailyherald.com. Follow Anna Marie Kukec on LinkedIn and Facebook and as AMKukec on Twitter.

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