PERSONNEL: NAMED BOARD CHAIRMAN

Bradley B. Buechler, president and chief executive officer of Spartech Corp., headquartered in St. Louis, has been appointed chairman of the board.

W.R. Clerihue will step down as chairman today, with Buechler assuming the responsibilities.

Clerlihue was appointed chairman in October 1991, following a 16-year career at Celanese Corp. During his eight-year term as Spartech chairman, the company sales have more than tripled, to $650 million in fiscal 1998, and the stock process has appreciated at a CAGR of 37 percent.

Buechler became chief executive officer in 1991.

Spartech, a producer of engineer thermoplastic materials, polymeric compounds, and molded and profile products, has 38 facilities, including two operations in Cape Girardeau -- Spartech Plastics at 2500 Spartech Drive and Spartech Compounding on Nash Road.