Edward V. Tarnell was a leader in the development of sound credit and financial management and reporting practices in the plastics industry. He was co-founder of the Plastics Material Credit Association in 1947 and served as Managing Secretary until 1968. By the time he retired in 1986, he had worked directly with every major domestic producer, compounder, and distributor of plastic materials, as well as with most of the primary plastics capital equipment suppliers.

Born in New York City, Tarnell graduated from Fordham University, and served early in his career as an executive with the National Credit Office in New York City. Under Tarnell's management the credit information service became an industry essential, producing detailed, confidential financial and manufacturing business reports. Starting with coverage of 500 plastics processors, the company's scope grew to cover over 15,000 domestic processors.

Tarnell created and copyrighted unique financial reports, including the trade payment analysis report Purchasing-Paying Record, the processor profile Tarnell Resume, and the bi-weekly Tarnell NewsLetter which reports significant events at the processing companies.

Tarnell was an active supporter of St. Cassian's Church in Upper Montclair, NJ, as well as many local and international charities.