ERT series: Retired industry leader, MC trustee to be featured speaker
Retired industry leader, MC trustee to be featured speaker
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The Economic Roundtable of the Ohio Valley kicks off its 2025 Speaker Series later this month with industry leader and Marietta College Trustee Joe Chlapaty.
Chlapaty, an entrepreneur and retired CEO of Advanced Drainage Systems Inc., will be the featured speaker for two events, presenting his topic: "ADS, A Classic Story of American Opportunity" during a public Business Q&A on Monday, Jan. 27, and at the ERT Luncheon on Tuesday, Jan. 28.
The Jan. 27 event is free and open to the public and will be from 7-8 p.m. in Thomas 124 on Marietta College's campus. The Jan. 28 event will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Parkersburg Country Club in Vienna.
Attendees must register for the luncheon by Jan. 22 at https://secure.touchnet.com/C23012_ustores/web/store_main.jsp?STOREID=17 . The $25 fee includes lunch.
"Now in its 42nd year, the Economic Roundtable offers a renowned speaker series to engage with our community on a wide variety of topics," said Greg Delemeester, Milton Friedman professor of economics at Marietta College. "We're excited to welcome Joe Chlapaty to kick off this year's lineup with his story on how he helped build ADS into a billion-dollar company."
With over five decades of experience in corporate leadership and community service, Chlapaty's career spans 37 years at Advanced Drainage Systems Inc., where he served as chief financial officer, president, chief executive officer and chairman of the board. During his tenure, he transformed the company from a $55 million business into the world's largest producer of thermoplastic corrugated pipe and related products, with sales revenue reaching approximately $1.5 billion.
Under his leadership, ADS expanded to encompass 60 manufacturing plants and 19 customer service centers worldwide, employing approximately 4,000 people. One of his crowning achievements was successfully leading the company's initial public offering and listing on the New York Stock Exchange in 2014.
Chlapaty is a proud veteran, having served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1968 to 1974. He holds a bachelor of science in business administration from the University of Dubuque, where he was a recipient of both the Wall Street Journal Award and Student Athletic Award and a master's of business administration from DePaul University. He is also a certified public accountant and has been honored with honorary doctorate degrees from both the University of Dubuque and Marietta College.
Chlapaty has been on the front lines of economic development and education advancement in Ohio. He serves on the board of directors for Nationwide Children's Hospital and KIPP Journey Academy, a charter school for disadvantaged inner city children. His commitment to education is further demonstrated through his role as chairman emeritus of the board of trustees at the University of Dubuque and his service on the board of trustees at Marietta College.
He now leads Chlapaty Investments LLC. A longtime resident of Dublin, Ohio, he remains actively engaged in supporting and strengthening the local community through various civic and philanthropic initiatives.