January 21st, 2011
Harshad Shah, Owner and CEO of Hamilton Plastics, was awarded the Americanism Medal from the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. He was presented the medal by members of the Chickamauga chapter of DAR at their January luncheon meeting.
The Americanism Medal is given annually to only 12 naturalized citizens nationwide who have made significant contributions in their community. Recipients are nominated by local DAR chapters and also approved by the state and national organizations.
Shah immigrated to the United States in 1974 with $8 and a chemistry degree. He furthered his education in Chicago and worked for Owens Corning and Union Carbide, before moving to Chattanooga to manage the research and development department of a plastics firm in Dalton, Ga. In 1986, Shah formed Hamilton Plastics to manufacture products for specialty markets. Today the company has a 300,000-square-foot plant on Amnicola Highway.
Shah has been involved in the construction and management of franchise hotels including Marriot, Intercontinental Hotels, Days Inn and Comfort Inn. In 2006, he partnered with five businesspeople to organize CapitalMark Bank.
Mr. Shah has served on boards of AmSouth Bank, CapitalMark Bank, Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce, Allied Arts, Baylor School, Community Foundation, YMCA Youth Foundation, Chattanooga State and GSET.