Herman Schecter was born in 1922. Through a life of hard work, a dynamic personality and the love and support of his wife, Doris, Herman created a company that would continue to grow and prosper. Herman went to Tilden High School where he was editor of the Yearbook and voted "Boy Politician". All through high school Herman was up before 5 a.m. seven days a week to complete his grocery route. He earned $4.00 per week. Herman later enrolled in City College of New York. In 1942, he was called into service. This did not stop the pattern of learning. He underwent basic training in Texas where he represented his company in the golden gloves as a welterweight. He won his first three bouts and was happy to be out of boxing when he lost his fourth. He was assigned to the Medical Corps where he studied X-ray technology. The Army Specialized Training Program allowed Herman to attend the University of Missouri, School of Engineering, where he completed three full semesters. As Administrative Assistant to the Commanding Officer, he rose to the rank of Technical Sergeant. His unit served in France and Germany for two years. At the end of the war, he studied at Biarritz American University and now speaks four languages fluently. Herman wanted to study Dentistry. He needed to earn the money to pay for his studies, so he went back to seek employment with a textile converting company that had employed him before the war. At this firm he ran into Walter Sommers, who had worked with Herman before the war and had just established his own plastics company. Walter Sommers subsequently invited young Herman to come to work for him, an offer which he accepted. They converted and distributed a line of imitation leather and plastics. Herman's salary was $30 a week. Schecter and Sommers worked together in their small office doing everything - shipping, receiving, billing and bookkeeping. Though plastic was just "being born," the move did not seem a fortuitous move at the time. The entire line had had a bad season in 1947. Herman was forced to work three days a week in a poultry shop while holding his job at Sommers. On November 16, 1947, however, things rapidly began to improve. Doris Osman and Herman Schecter wed. With Doris by his side, Herman devoted his energy to improving Sommers' products. Business improved at Sommers the following year and Herman was able to maintain his employment flume. In June, 1948, despite the progress of the company, Mr. Sommers was anxious to raise his family outside of New York. Mr. Sommers was offered an excellent opportunity in a big midwestern department store and decided to go out of the plastics business. Walter Sommers made his decision to sell out. Herman Schecter saw an opportunity to become the owner of the business for a relatively small sum - $1,006.74. He invested his modest savings toward the purchase of the Sommers Company. With Doris handling the office responsibilities, Herman utilized his dynamic personality to sell and develop new products. With the introduction and widespread use of vinyl as a substitute for leather in many manufactured items, the potential growth for this material was just coming to light. Industries such as Handbags, Belts, Small Leathergoods, Bookbinding were eager to see this new Vinyl fabric. With a born knack for salesmanship, "Hy" Schecter began to sell his products with astounding success. He was able to convince countless manufacturers of the advantages both in quality and economy in using plastics. He was so successful in marketing these products that several large mills made him their exclusive distributor. In 1953, Sommers was the first company in their field to introduce a highly polished black imitation patent leather in continuous rolls, which was formerly available only in small sheets. This item registered and trade-marked as Roller Patent took the industry by storm and became a highly popular product. In 1959, a new concept for plastic was developed. It was an expanded vinyl which Sommers called Marshmallow and which simulated closely the touch and feel of soft genuine leather. It was used in the manufacture of better quality, more expensive ladies handbags, outerwear, belts and billfolds. To this day, Roller Patent and Marshmallow are still in great demand. On January 19, 1951, Hy and Doris introduced yet another new product: Their first-born son, Fred Michael Schecter. This successful introduction was followed eighteen months later on July 30, 1952 by the birth of their second son, Edward Meyer. On April 10, 1954, the Schecter family moved from Brooklyn to their new home in the suburbs of Long Island. A few years later, on September 12, 1957, they were blessed with the birth of their third son, Jay Alan. Ambitious and persevering, Hy and Doris completed the picture on October 20, 1963. Stuart Owen was born. Fred and Edward currently own and operate Sommers Plastics. Fred's son, Samuel graduated with a degree in Business from the University of Vermont. Sam is the 3rd generation of Schecters to be employed at Sommers. Jay and Stuart, who are not in the business are medical doctors. Jay is a neurologist in Rome, Georgia. Stuart is a cardiologist at St. Francis Hospital on Long Island. Throughout his illustrious career, Herman Schecter has vividly demonstrated his devotion to worthy causes. He has been honored by the State of Israel, The United Jewish Appeal, Cancer Care, The Deborah Hospital, The Brandeis School, Cerebral Palsy, and Temple Hillel of Valley Stream. Hy Schecter also raised record-breaking contributions for The National Parkinson Foundation Unstoppable, not resting on his laurels, Hy Schecter took up golf at age 50. In his first year he was awarded "Most Improved Golfer" by Golf Digest Magazine. Though at age 86, he has put down his golf clubs, he continues to hold his winning gin rummy cards along with friends in Aventura, Florida. At the time of this writing, Doris and Hy Schecter still share in a wonderful quality of life with their entire ever-expanding family and friends. Hy continues to call on customers and write orders regularly.