Graduate of the University of Southern California. Started as a sample maker at Bay Cities while attending college. Became a Salesperson and rose to the President’s position in 1995. Became CEO shortly thereafter and named Chairman in 2002. Served as Chairman of the Association of Independent Corrugated Convertors in 2014/2015. Serves as Board of Director member of the AICC, International Corrugated Packaging Foundation, and Fiber Box Association. Advisory Board member of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo CA. Member of Vistage International.
In 1935, Stan Avery invented the world’s first self-adhesive label - creating a new technology and a new industry. Today, Avery Dennison is a $6.6 billion global supplier of labeling and packaging materials.
Paul has enjoyed 22 years with Avery Dennison where he has held increasingly responsible roles in research and development, custom product solutions, and most recently, business development. He has a background in digital print technologies that include HP Indigo, dry toner technologies and his current focus of water based inkjet platforms. He works closely with digital printer OEMs and label converters to uncover product gaps, and with the Avery Dennison digital team to fill them. Paul likes to spend his free time relaxing with photography, kayaking and fishing.
Started in the BOPP films industry, working into several different areas: shrink sleeve labels, working into flexible packaging converting, and rounding out my knowledge and experience with various stops at various suppliers.
Passionate about sharing my knowledge and learning with others who are looking to achieve their packaging goals and a sustainable future. UPM is the perfect company for that goal.
Ryan joined ePac in November 2020 and has spent 25 years on the software and services side of the digital printing industry bringing innovative solutions to market and to the customers and communities we serve. At ePac, Ryan is responsible for the Connected Packaging portfolio, International Marketing, targeted growth segments, and other solutions that make ePac the leading technology company in the digital, flexible packaging market.
Ryan is a software engineer by education and began his career at IBM’s Networking Hardware Division in RTP, NC. He then spent 11 years at Rochester Software Associates, Inc. before driving the global portfolio of solutions and services in Ricoh’s Commercial and Industrial printing business group from 2006-2020.
Ryan lives in Rochester, NY with his wife Kacey and 2 children, Sean and Shannon.
20+ years of CPG, Creative Agency and Client-Side Experience
Neil Cook is the Segment Marketing Manager for Packaging in Fujifilm's Ink Solutions Group. With 15 years’ experience in the print and packaging industries, he is dedicated to partnering with customers to maximise their success with inkjet. He works with OEMs, converters, brands and ink formulators globally to understand the challenges they face in the digitisation of print processes, enabling Fujifilm to deliver the right ink and dispersion products to achieve the best performance in inkjet, and deliver value throughout the supply chain.
Consistent high performance produced steady career advancement. The experience gained in my various roles provided a well rounded base of both general business, and industry knowledge in the wide-format imaging market segment. Future goals include finding new challenges to meet that will bring further career advancement opportunities.
Specialties: Sales & marketing oversight of wide format printing equipment, associated supplies and service warranties.
Joseph Yourey currently serves as the global R&D leader for the Digital Inks business and Artistri® product line within DuPont’s Industrial Solutions. In this role, he leads the technology organization responsible for the development and launch of new aqueous pigment inks for digital textile, commercial, and packaging applications. Prior to this role, Joe served as the platform competency leader within the Digital Inks business, supporting the development of new polymer additives (dispersants, binders, primers), pigment dispersions, and analytical jetting technologies to next-gen inks. Joe has held a number of roles within Dupont Electronics & Industrial segments, predominantly emphasizing the journey of taking new products from ideation through launch in partnership with customers. Joe attended the University of Michigan from 2009 – 2014, where he received his PhD in Chemistry.
Susan E Bailey, Business Development Manager, Specialty and Digital Print, Michelman
Susan Bailey has a wide-angle view of high-speed inkjet presses from raw materials and printhead construction to formulated systems and press side applications. She holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of California, Los Angeles, and undergraduate degrees in Chemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of California, Berkeley. At Hewlett Packard, she first experienced the fundamentals of inkjet systems in imprint and specialty printing markets. Through the development of semi-conductor processing at Brewer Science and raw material design at IGM Resins, Susan saw firsthand how the individual component level decisions drive performance and market reach for inkjet application. Since joining Michelman in 2018, Susan has promoted primer and tailored aqueous overprint coatings with OEM and integration partners to provide inkjet press owners robust system solutions that offer confidence to expand their press use and inkjet applications in the print marketplace. Susan currently serves the industry presently as President of RadTech International North America.
Personable entrepreneur and business owner with more than 8 years in social media management, customer service, marketing, sales, management, and product development. Highly skilled in Sales, Field Marketing, Social Media Management, Brand Development, Motivational Leadership, Retail Management, Merchandising, Event Planning, Strategic Planning, and Creative Entrepreneurship.
Carl Joachim is Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of ePac, an all-digital manufacturer of flexible packaging. Carl has over 25 years of executive marketing management experience with Xerox, Ocè, and Ricoh, developing markets for production digital printing technologies used by data centers, commercial printers, and in-plant print centers across the US. In 2013 he turned his focus to the packaging industry, and in 2016 he, along with two business partners, created ePac as the first all-digital flexible packaging company in North America.
David Zwang is the principal consultant of Zwang & Company, a firm specializing in process analysis, and strategic development of firms in the fields of information and product printing, packaging, and publishing across the globe. His expertise in production optimization, strategic business planning, market analysis, and related and has transformed many businesses.
He began in the graphic arts as a commercial photographer in the late 60’s and has since founded several premedia and printing operations. His experience includes expertise in Cross Media Publishing, with an extensive background in Digital, Offset, Flexo, and Gravure printing processes.
Since the early 90’s he has consulted with many in the industry on a wide variety of issues. Projects include global production and data management solutions; book, publishing and packaging technologies and processes; remote production systems development; color management and process collaboration systems. He has developed many industry training courses and written countless articles for trade publications. He is also currently the chair of the GWG (Ghent Workgroup).
Stephen Buchanan entered the scientific field as an Analytical Chemist upon graduation from Xavier University with a BS in Biochemistry. During his early career, he established and conducted analytical tests to validate nutritional and pharmaceutical products.
In 2014, he transitioned into the printing industry by joining Kao Collins. He initially worked as an R&D Chemist while developing energy curable inkjet formulations. During this time, his efforts were dedicated to output innovative solutions geared towards solving unique customer demands.
Entering into 2020, Buchanan has now transitioned into the role of Business Development Manager for Kao Collins. He is responsible for facilitating inkjet growth, exploring new commercial opportunities, and forming strategic partnerships within the digital space.
Through providing design leadership for Packaging Innovations for MolsonCoors, Charles has influenced all aspects of frontend development to insure successful innovations across the portfolio. Charles has also developed the first working academic relationship with MIAD as well as Notre Dame’s Mendozza College of Business for Packaging Innovation. Currently, he is the primary contributor for the Packaging Innovation Americas Strategy for MolsonCoors; as well as continuously improving “Ways of Working” across supply chain and commercial teams. He is also the Packaging Tech Enabler Program leader developing new structures and novel materials that drive purchase intent. Prior to joining MolsonCoors, Charles was an employee of Graphic Packaging International facilitating Packaging Innovation development for external customers such as Kraft, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Kirin and Anheuser-Busch. He has also commissioned and completed the construction of two innovation centers with the first one being the Global Innovation Center at GPI in Atlanta, GA and The Flying Hippo at MolsonCoors in Milwaukee, WI. Charles earned a Bachelor of Industrial Design degree from Pratt Institute as well as an Executive Masters of Business from Georgia State University. His experience of human factors and design strategy started under the guidance of Futurist Moni Wolf during his time at Motorola. Charles currently has over 29 utility patents (applied or issued) both on a national and global level.
Chuck Slingerland is the Corrugated Sales Manager for Durst Image Technologies based out of Rochester, NY. Chuck brings 25 years of experience in the packaging industry to aid in business development with a focus on sheetfed digital single pass technologies from Koenig & Bauer | Durst.
With a career track embedded in the evolution of corrugated converting, extensive experience in flexography, lithography, digital & flexo pre-printed liner board, along with sheetfed single pass digital printing; this expertise enables Chuck to guide corrugated converters on adopting digital print technologies.
His tenure at Abbot Action Packaging (Attleboro, MA) gave him the privilege to lead the early adoption of single pass digital printing in 2016. Chuck also spent 12 years with CSW Inc. (Ludlow, MA), supporting CPG brands with color managed pre-press and flexo tooling nationwide.
I am Co-Founder and CEO in KENTO DIGITAL PRINTING, a company in digital printing for packaging industry.
Prior to a period as independent consultant specialized in packaging, I was Packaging Business Development Director with EFI, a leading software and hardware manufacturer of industrial inkjet printing equipment with headquarters in Silicon Valley. I was in charge of marketing and product development of the industrial inkjet printers for corrugated packaging and displays. This new technology is changing the packaging industry around the world.
Previously I was leading operations of Europac in Morocco as Country Manager: project leader of a greenfield integrated corrugated plant and managing a converting site in Tangier.
Prior to that, as Europac France Packaging Division Country Manager I managed 5 corrugated plants all over France with more than 700 employees and a turnover of 200 million euros.
I have previous experience in the packaging industry since I have worked for Saica group as General Manager of its plant in Valencia and I was owner and CEO of Cartalsa, manufacturer of luxury packaging.
I worked in food industry for 3 years as general manager of Delibreads - Grupo Jose Baringo, manufacturer of ready to cook food and bakery products for the largest retailer in Spain and Portugal.
- Skilled professional with over 16 years of business experience in Global FMCG industries.
- Marketing Manager with proven business successes in different categories.
- Strong multi-department background, with working experience in both Marketing & Sales.
Kelly Kell joined Avery Dennison in 2022 and is the Intelligent Labels Global Innovation Lead, CPG/Food for Avery Dennison, a material science leader in labels and graphic materials and the global market leader in UHF RFID technology. She is responsible for developing the strategy for the product portfolio for sensor technology used in the Food and CPG segments, while leveraging the material science capabilities that Avery Dennison is best known for. In her role, Kelly partners with leading companies interested in pioneering the use of intelligent labels.
Prior to joining Avery Dennison, Kelly was Director, Retail Grocery Community Engagement, at GS1 US, the not-for-profit information standards organization, where she facilitated collaboration with supply chain partners in the retail grocery and food service industries, including work on the upcoming industry migration to 2D barcodes. Kelly has held various roles in merchandising, product development, strategy, and operations improvement at Target Corporation, Nestle USA, Kraft Foods, and Trace One. Across her career, Kelly has worked with various retailers and consumer products companies across the North American and European grocery markets. Kelly has a BS in Food Science from Cornell University.
For over 30+ years, David has been helping some of the world’s greatest brands connect the dots, from building immersive consumer experiences, through packaging, eCommerce, and brick and mortar. A true omnichannel patriot; he has been able to cultivate diverse ideas, people, and thoughts together to build exciting solutions that have helped major brands engage their consumers in thought-provoking ways. He provides unique insights, and transparency into how brands’ engagement with consumers, through all touchpoints, could drive richer and more meaningful consumer engagement. Ultimately, his team’s relentless drive for brand stewardship throughout the complete consumer’s journey has helped drive sustainable results for brands like Adidas, GNC, Diageo, Nestle Waters and many more. David has also orchestrated projects that have gone to the likes to Madonna, Gigi Hadid, Kardashians, Beiber’s, and more. With his advisement, the creative teams, and marketing professionals, that he has been honored to work with, have won many national and international print awards.
Sean Smyth has spent over 25 years in the industry in senior technology positions for a variety of print businesses across the supply chain, in hands on and consultancy roles. He helps companies make money through the appropriate use of technology.
Sean has a deep knowledge of the global print market, and a key member of the team providing quantitative market data and forecasts for the printing, paper and packaging industry. He authors off-the-shelf market studies and provides strategic consultancy services to a range of clients across the value chain.
Sean has a strong background in appropriate application of technology to print, implementing digital print systems, MIS and workflows to take time and cost out of the print supply chain. In 1994 he became Technical Director of Rexam, where the first colour digital presses in the UK were installed and he has extensive experience of digital printing. He has written many books and market studies on the future, print technology and digital print, including Smithers' flagship title "The Print & Production Manual" and the "Future of Global Print Markets".
Dan Abramowicz is Crown’s Chief Technology Officer with global responsibility for innovation and technology development across Crown’s business platforms, including a diverse range of metal packaging for food, beverages and consumer products. Before joining Crown, Dr. Abramowicz was a Technical Director in GE’s Global Research Center. Dr. Abramowicz received his B.S. degree in Chemistry and his B.A. degree in Mathematics from St. Francis University and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Physical Chemistry from Princeton University. Dr. Abramowicz is an active volunteer for non-profit organizations and he is currently serving in several leadership roles with such organizations, including Salus University, The Franklin Institute, and Conwell-Egan Catholic High School.
Dr. Abramowicz has received several alumni honors, including election to the Wall-of Fame of Conwell-Egan Catholic High School, recognition as a Distinguished Alumnus in Science from St. Francis University, and membership in the Andrew Fleming West Society of Princeton University.
Shane Tansey is a Business Development Manager at Fujifilm Integrated Inkjet Solutions. At Fujifilm, Shane has held various leadership roles in Engineering, Field Service and Business Development. Shane works with print service providers and brands to build their inkjet printing strategies and help assess their needs for efficient and cost effective inkjet based print solutions. Shane's background is in Mechanical Engineering and is known for his professional, collaborative and customer centric approach.
Currently serving as the Food Contact Regulatory Affairs Manager at Crown Holdings, Charlotte Bedford holds eight years of experience in the quality and regulatory sector of the packaging and containers industry. Her expertise in global regulatory compliance is extensive and includes a specialization in food contact materials. A strong research professional dedicated to her field, Charlotte also participates in various industry working groups actively monitoring and contributing to future regulatory policies relating to food contact materials. Charlotte holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) focused in Chemistry with Forensic Science and in a previous role received an excellence award for her achievements.
Liz Logue became EFI’s VP of Inkjet Customer/Brand Engagement and Strategy in 2019, a new role focused on helping EFI’s digital corrugated customers engage with brands. Logue’s work helps drive market awareness about digital printing and value it brings to the consumers. She also researches and develops strategies to extend EFI’s inkjet technology portfolio into additional new markets that can benefit from the and continuing analog to digital transformation in print manufacturing.
Prior to taking her current role, Logue was Vice president of Corporate Business Development, and Ink Jet strategy at EFI. In that position, she was responsible for planning, market evaluation and execution behind strategic M&A and new market development activity. Her work has included directing or assisting in EFI’s strategic moves into ceramics, textiles and corrugated packaging, working with engineering, ink and software teams to implement the correct solutions for target markets.
Prior to joining EFI in 2008, Logue worked for 10 years in various roles at IT Strategies, a specialized strategic consultancy company focused on the digital print industry. In her roles she advised hardware, ink and software vendors on corporate, product and M&A strategy. She also managed research initiatives, maintained industry relationships and kept abreast of the latest technology developments.
Bio coming soon
Donna Covannon is the Director of Marketing for Xeikon America (October 2017-Present).
Donna has an extensive, multifaceted career with Xeikon America and prior with Xerox Corporation.
She has held leadership roles in market development; product marketing; marketing communications; product and competitive training; sales and customer relations as well as managing a profit/loss business, all within the Digital Print technology industry.
Donna holds a BS in Marketing and Printing from the Rochester Institute of Technology and a MBA in International Business from the University of Rochester Simon School Of Business.
In addition to her business development work, Donna has served as a marketing consultant for non-profit organizations such as the Hochstein School of Music & Dance in Rochester, NY. Hochstein is dedicated to providing musical and dance education in a community that nurtures and encourages personal achievement.
My story started over 30 years ago as a graphic designer. My diverse experience has touched many platforms within the industry. From being a co-owner in a graphic design agency, purchasing print to working for European and Asian paper mills, product development, business development, paperboard packaging projects and landing in the sustainability arena. My creative background has given me a unique way to problem solve using both my right and left brain way of thinking.
Chris is currently the Commercial Lead and Product Development Manager for Georgia-Pacific Digital Print Solutions. He has over 30 years’ experience in gravure, flexo and offset pre-press, print tooling and print for packaging. Chris has been instrumental in the development of product offerings, paper testing and design and pre-press standards for digital inkjet print for packaging. He has been on the ground floor with GP and their implementation of the first HP T400 and now the first and only HP T1100 in North America. Chris leads a team of Creative, Design and Print professionals to bring solutions to the consumer packaging market.
Robert Seay is the VP of Digital Business Solutions for Georgia-Pacific’s Corrugated Packaging segment where he takes a broad view of how digital print will impact the overall business and oversees the Hummingbird® digital preprint national operation including the recent expansion into Arizona.
Robert believes that digital print will impact all areas of the graphic corrugated packaging value chain as it evolves.
Robert previously worked at HP driving the digital print for packaging efforts with PageWide inkjet technology from 2009 – 2017. Prior to that he served HP in an incubation role for other print innovations and technologies including photo and health care from 2002 – 2009.
Robert holds a bachelor’s degree in Math/Computer Science from University of California at San Diego and an MBA in Management from San Diego State University.
Experienced Regional VP, Chief Operating Officer, Director with a demonstrated history of working in the packaging and point of purchase display industry. Skilled in Operations Management, Sales, Value Stream Mapping, and General Management. Strong business development professional.
Tim Bohlke is the Director of Sustainability for Resource Label Group. Bohlke has more than 25 years of management experience working with and for brand owners in various functions to include sustainable solutions for best-in-class materials. He leads a Sustainable Champions team at Resource Label Group, a full-service label manufacturer with locations throughout the U.S. and Canada.
