Leading with Purpose: Meet AmSty CEO Venki Chandrashekar
Venki Chandrashekar takes the helm at AmSty at a pivotal moment for the plastics and petrochemical industry.
As President and Chief Executive Officer, he takes a people-centered approach to guiding the company. With decades of experience across technology, operations, strategy and leadership, Venki brings deep technical expertise to inspire innovation that charges forward in an environment that has its challenges.
Before stepping into his role at AmSty in September, Venki served as Vice President of Research and Technology at Chevron Phillips Chemical and spent more than a decade in senior leadership roles. He also served on AmSty's Board of Directors since 2020, giving him firsthand insight into the company's culture, people and performance well before taking the helm.
Venki sees a company defined by purpose, collaboration and focus – one that excels by serving customers reliably, investing in its people and assets and staying agile in a competitive industry.
In this Q&A, Venki shares his personal journey, leadership philosophy, perspective on the petrochemical industry and his vision for AmSty's future.
Q: What established the path for your new role at AmSty?
Venki: My journey began in India, where I grew up and earned my undergraduate engineering degree from the University of Madras. The region I'm from has strong ties to textiles and polymers, which sparked my early interest in the field. I later came to the United States for graduate school at Kansas State University. I saw the U.S. as a land of opportunity and it has truly been that for me.
That educational path laid the foundation for a career in polymers and petrochemicals, a field I enjoy and continue to learn from decades later. Along the way, I've had the privilege of working for great companies with exceptional people and mentors who helped shape my career. It's been a gratifying journey, both professionally and personally, that's allowed me to create value, build a meaningful career and raise a family here.
Q: Tell us about your family.
Venki: My wife Rohini and I have been married for 37 years. She's phenomenal. I often joke that I upgraded myself by marrying her. We have two sons. Our older son Vikrama is a lawyer in Denver and he and his wife have a young daughter who is an absolute joy. Our younger son Siddharth lives in Houston and is getting married soon. We're a very close family and that foundation allows me to stay focused, grounded and energized at work.
Q: You could have chosen any career path. What drew you to the petrochemical industry?
Venki: Few industries have the same breadth of impact. Petrochemicals touch nearly every aspect of modern life – from what we wear to how we live, travel and communicate. Developing products that make life better, more affordable and more durable is deeply satisfying. Plastics, in particular, offer tremendous value. They replace heavier, more expensive materials, improve performance and extend product life. When you see how these products support growing economies and improve quality of life globally, it's easy to stay motivated.
Q: What attracted you to AmSty?
Venki: I became familiar with AmSty through my time on the Board of Directors and what stood out immediately was the people. AmSty is a relatively small company in a very competitive industry and that creates a family-like environment. There's genuine care, inclusivity and diversity of thought. I saw a dedicated, efficient team delivering value and taking care of customers and one another. When the opportunity arose to step into the CEO role, it felt like a natural transition. AmSty has a strong culture and a reputation for operational excellence. That combination is powerful.
Q: What does AmSty do and why do its products matter?
Venki: AmSty primarily produces styrene and polystyrene, which are used across a wide range of applications – from appliances and building materials to automotive components and packaging. We intentionally focus on durable applications in products that last for years. When I see an AmSty product in a refrigerator, washer or car, it's a point of pride. These products improve everyday life at an affordable cost.
Q: How would you describe your leadership approach?
Venki: I believe in servant leadership and leading by example rather than authority. AmSty is a smaller, collaborative organization without a lot of layers and that suits a leadership style built on trust, dialogue and shared ownership. I focus on enabling people to do their best work, encouraging adaptability and allowing our strengths to thrive. Agility is one of our biggest advantages and leadership should reinforce that.
Q: How does AmSty approach customer service?
Venki: Customers are our top priority – plain and simple. Without them, we don't have a business. Our goal is to be the preferred supplier everywhere we operate, which means delivering the right product, at the right time, to the right place – every time. Reliability and trust are our competitive advantages. Especially during challenging market conditions, customers come back to us because they know we deliver consistently and stand behind our commitments.
Q: How is AmSty addressing industry challenges, including sustainability concerns?
Venki: This is one of the toughest periods I've seen in four decades, driven by global oversupply, economic pressures and misconceptions about plastics. At the same time, sustainability is a real responsibility. We're investing in circularity and innovation – like our PolyRenew® products – to demonstrate that polystyrene is recyclable, both mechanically and chemically. We also need to continue telling our story and explaining the value plastics bring to society.
Q: What is your vision for AmSty's future?
Venki: Our focus is on value creation – unlocking more value every day, at every level of the organization. That mindset is gaining momentum and it's exciting to see employees thinking differently about how their work contributes to the enterprise. As the industry rebounds, I believe AmSty is positioned to excel. With strong products, great people and a unified culture – what we call #OneAmSty – we'll continue to deliver and achieve long-term success.
