Company Overview

Over the last 26 years Chris has guided AGS from a start-up molder to a leading supplier of injection molded parts made from recycled plastics.

Chris grew up in Glenview IL, attended New Trier high school and graduated Honors with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Iowa.  After graduation and a few weeks backpacking in Europe, Chris joined MRC Polymers, a Chicago based compounder of recycled plastic pellets. Chris started on the production floor and realized the importance of a strong quality management system to make consistent product from plastic regrind. Chris soon became Quality Assurance Manager and as the product improved moved to a technical sales position.

Chris’ unique experience in production, quality, and technical sales was the genesis of AGS Technology. Chris realized there was an opportunity to direct inject regrind into a plastic part saving cost, a heat history, and the finger pointing between the OEM, molder, and raw material supplier. In 1995 Chris co-founded AGS Technology with two injection molding machines and a lot of adrenaline.

Chris’ personal mantra can be summed up in three words; Learn-Earn-Return.

• Learn – There is no such thing as an expert. There are always opportunities to improve and become better.
• Earn – Money pays the bills, but more important is the respect and satisfaction of working with others on a challenging project.
• Return – Always give back to help customers, colleagues and community succeed.

Chris is married with three children and lives in the Chicago area. In his free time Chris enjoys being with family, watching his beloved Chicago sports teams, playing basketball, and participating in motorsport events.

George has served in many roles at AGS, leading Sales, recycled raw material procurement, and developing recycled polymer compounds.

George graduated from Wayne State University and has spent his 50+ year career in the plastics industry. Early on, George focused on ”up-cycling” various plastic waste streams by converting them into higher value products.  For decades, George has been a realist of the recycling dilemma and helped found and lead numerous companies by developing cutting-edge recycling processes.

He is past president of the Society of Plastic Engineers Recycling Division and has presented technical papers, and written numerous articles for, the Society of Automotive Engineers, the Society of Plastics Engineers, the Society of American Chemical Engineers, National Plastics Exposition, Plastics News, Plastics Engineering, local/national governmental conferences, and other industries.

George has a lot of experience in various aspects of plastics recycling technology, including de-polymerization, melt phase compounding, polymer modification, and application development.  Highlights of his career include being the technical lead in the launch of MRC Polymers and the subsequent co-founding of AGS Technology in 1995. Interestingly enough, AGS Technology gets its name from George’s initials (his first name is Aras), as he and business partner Chris Racelis told each other that the company would be named after whomever left their current employer first. Now, when asked what “AGS” stands for, George replies “All Good Stuff.”

George is married with two children and two grandchildren and lives in the Chicago area. In his free time, he takes his 1966 BSA motorcycle on long rides in the country. He and his wife Ruta love to travel and they go fishing whenever they can.

Terry Moore joined AGS Technology in 2018 to develop a strategic plan for the company to recapitalize and reposition the company for its next chapter of growth. Since then, he has also transitioned into financial and operational roles, currently serving as Chief Financial Officer. In 2009, he founded Best Way Advisors, which currently provides strategic guidance to multiple organizations in advisory, senior management, and board capacities with companies in the technology, education, publishing, agriculture, manufacturing, and construction industries.

He was a founding partner of Wrightwood Capital, a privately held commercial real estate finance and fund management company headquartered in Chicago and operating nationally.  He served as Managing Director & Chief Financial Officer from 2003 through 2009.  Mr. Moore also served as a voting member of Wrightwood Capital’s Executive and Investment Committees. Responsibilities encompassed development and oversight of the company’s strategy, financing, reporting, loan servicing, and infrastructure, which included all aspects of accounting, treasury, legal, risk management, human resources, and technology.

Prior to joining Wrightwood Capital, from early 1997 through 2003, Mr. Moore served concurrently as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer for Cohen Financial, a privately held commercial real estate finance and investment banking company headquartered in Chicago and operating nationally. He was responsible for overseeing acquisitions, operations, and finance for the company.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Moore served as the Chief Financial Officer for a newly created commercial real estate company in Chicago, managed a national portfolio of commercial real estate assets for Jones Lang LaSalle, a Chicago-based international real estate company, and was a Senior Manager for PricewaterhouseCoopers in Chicago and Los Angeles as a practicing Certified Public Accountant focused primarily on public security filings, auditing, and consulting for real estate companies.

Mr. Moore received his BS in Business, with an emphasis in Accounting from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California.  He is married and has lived in the Barrington, Illinois area for many years. He is also active in his community, serving on several boards, including the Finance Chairman on a board of an international non-profit organization for many years.

AGS Technology is excited to announce the addition of Sales Manager, Steve Racelis. He comes to AGS with over 20 years sales management experience in the automotive industry working for companies such as Uniform Color, Johnson Controls, Prince, and MRC Polymers. Steve recently spent 11+ years in education helping a fast-growing company grow from $5 million in revenue to $150+ million.

“I’m excited to work for the leader in recycled plastics being up-cycled into molded parts. I have not seen anyone doing what AGS does and I’m excited to expand it’s reach!” said Steve. Some of the things that excite Steve as he embarks on this new chapter are:

• 25 years of a spotless delivery record to some of the worlds’ most demanding customers.
• The leader in recycled plastics finding homes in high-end applications.
• Strength of position in automotive while eagerness to grow non-automotive customers too.
• Leadership team stability of 25+ years at AGS and 30+ years together.
• Domestic supply position, located in the heart of the Midwest.
• Excitement to expand representation with non-automotive reps.

Steve added, “there is so much rich history at AGS! I can’t believe I get a chance to work with this great team of innovators.” He also said his work with George and Chris at MRC Polymers remains a highlight of his career. A huge plus is the family relationship and obvious bond with brother Chris Racelis, President of AGS Technology. This is going to be an exciting chapter for Steve and AGS in 2020 and beyond!

Jordan Ginsbach graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science Computer Graphics focused on CAD and Data Management. Jordan is currently working at AGS Technology as a Project / Quoting Engineer. This role works in new product development and launch which includes quoting, project management, implementing engineering changes, and new technology spotting and introduction.

After graduating, Jordan worked as a tooling engineer in New Albany, IN. He was there for three years where he helped in procuring 70+ tools per year. He honed his experience in CAD, Design for Manufacturing (DFM), and project manage tooling builds from launch to approval.

He then went to PMC Smart Solutions where he was a Simulation Engineer for two years. Focusing on part design, tool design, quoting new business, and Moldflow simulations. This big picture overview of simulation was key in Jordan’s knowledge of the overall process of setting a project up for a successful launch.

Jordan has enjoyed moving to the Chicago area and has so many interests it is tough to pin down one. To name a few: he is an avid gamer, a lifetime Detroit Redwings fan, 3D printing, and loves caring for his cats.

Yelda has diverse experience in Quality Engineering and Quality Management activities in manufacturing and industrial assembly for over 36 years. Experienced in driving continuous improvement, developing, and facilitating training in lean manufacturing and 5S.  Plans coordinates and directs quality management system to ensure continuous production of products consistent with customers’ specific requirements. Responsible for monitoring suppliers’ performance and conducting internal auditing to IATF-16949 standards.

Yelda participates in Advance Product Quality Planning (APQP) and prepares all PPAP documentation for newly designed products. Develop process flow diagrams, control plans, pFMEA, and documentation for all inspection processes. Develop quality procedures, work instructions, and forms including inspection check sheets.

• Certified ISO 9000 and 9001 Documentation Training
• Certified ISO/ IATF 16949 Internal Auditor
• Certified VDA- (PSCR) Product Safety & Conformity Representative

He enjoys watching sports, reading, and spending time with his family and friends.

Yelda is married with two children and lives in the Chicago area.

Paula has grown her 25+ year career in small manufacturing companies. Her focus on manufacturing comes from being curious about how everything is made.

She’s a life-long learner who loves to learn about new technologies for everyday life and work. Paula is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in Business. She is married with two young adult children. She loves to read books on US History. Her goal is to travel to all 50 states, she’s currently at 33 states visited.

Darius graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and worked at the University as a research assistant, and later in an environmental analysis lab. He joined the AGS Raw Material Department in 2015 and has headed the polymer analysis lab since 2021.

His responsibilities include managing the testing and analysis of incoming regrind and certifying its properties for production. He also verifies the accuracy of test results, monitors testing procedures, ensures the proper function and calibration of testing equipment, and develops new testing methodology. In addition, he investigates issues that sometimes occur using recycled material, trouble-shooting problems that arise during production and performing failure analysis. Furthermore, he continues to study polymer chemistry and seeks out opportunities to educate the Raw Material team and himself. Darius finds working with the real-world challenges of injection molding exciting and rewarding. “I take pleasure in assuring that our raw material is of the highest quality,” he states.

Darius lives in Woodridge, Illinois. He enjoys coin collecting, hiking in the woods with his dog and snow skiing.

Rick has a wide array of operations experience with some notable companies, the most relevant for this position was Materials Manager for Microplastics in St. Charles for five years. During his time there, he was able to help increase efficiencies with Inventory Purchasing and Planning.

His experience includes:

— 2 years working as an Inventory Analyst for Motorola (Canopy Division) where he controlled fulfillment and inventory as well as Scheduling Kitting.

— 2 years working as an Operations Analyst for Polyform Products in Elk Grove where he streamlined Purchasing Operations by implementing use of Excel in concert with their operating system. He was also responsible for Inventory.

— 5 years working as Materials Manager for Microplastics in St. Charles where he was responsible for all Purchasing, Warehousing and Distribution, Inventory Control, Customer Service and Production Scheduling.

— 2 years working as Operations Manager for Argentum Medical in Geneva, a company that manufactures medical devices for surgical procedures. He was responsible for all Purchasing, Sourcing, Warehousing and Distribution, Manufacturing, Scheduling of Manufacturing and Customer Service.

On a personal note, Rick has lived in St. Charles for the past 10 years with his wife Karen and their two daughters Sierra, 11, and Emma, 3. Rick and his family enjoy spending time together hiking, biking and playing sports. Rick and his family also believe it’s important to help people in the community by donating time and supplies to the Lazarus house in St. Charles, and helping out at Feed My Starving Children in Aurora.

Rick is extremely happy to be joining the team and can’t wait to be able to do all he can to help the company as it grows.