The American Institute for Packaging and the Environment (AMERIPEN) has announced the results of elections that took place at its 2014 Annual Meeting, held this summer in Arlington, Virginia. Also at this event, four new appointees to the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) were introduced. Taken together, AMERIPEN leadership and the TAG represent an unequaled body of expertise in the value of packaging and best practices for materials recovery, strongly positioning the organization to play a key role in shaping public policy discussions and model programs for the industry.

The following Directors were re-elected to new three-year terms by AMERIPEN members:

·         Keith Fanta, Procter & Gamble

·         Laura Rowell, Sonoco

·         Jeff Wooster, The Dow Chemical Company

AMERIPEN's full Board of Directors then elected the organization's Officers for the coming year:

·         President -- Jeff Wooster, The Dow Chemical Company

·         Treasurer -- Ron Cotterman, Sealed Air Corporation (re-elected)

·         Vice President -- Lee Anderson, General Mills, Inc.

·         Secretary -- Jennifer McCracken, HAVI Global Solutions

"I'm grateful for the confidence the Board has placed in me by naming me to this position," said incoming President Wooster. "Heartfelt thanks go to my predecessor, Gail Tavill, AMERIPEN's founder and original President, who has set the bar very high. I know I can count on the support of all our officers and directors as AMERIPEN embarks on the next stage of our evolution as a leader and authority in the packaging industry. For this challenging journey, we are fortunate that we can also call upon the outstanding talents of our TAG. A warm welcome to our newest Advisors, and I look forward to strong working relationships that will benefit all parties."

The Technical Advisory Group is composed of experts from academia, government and other stakeholder organizations who can provide AMERIPEN with knowledge, experience and direction in the areas of packaging design, production and recovery. The new TAG members, appointed by AMERIPEN's Board of Directors, are:

• Chaz Miller, National Waste & Recycling Organization
• Will Sagar, SERDC (Southeast Recycling Development Council)
• Sarah Kite-Reeves, Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation
• Marla Donahue, Flexible Packaging Association

TAG participants are selected for their ability to serve as independent, credible, not-for-profit experts who will provide guidance and research to expand and enhance the knowledge base of the packaging industry. TAG members are active contributors who typically participate and contribute to AMERIPEN working groups, as well as attending the Annual Meeting.

AMERIPEN advocates for packaging policy developments in North America and focuses on measures that are environmentally and economically sound, as well as socially responsible. The organization, with a science-based, material-neutral approach, encourages informed decision-making on packaging and the environment by policy-makers and thought leaders.

AMERIPEN welcomes companies that support the philosophy of a collaborative trade and industry organization, active and cooperative issue resolution, and material and packaging system neutrality. More information is available at www.AMERIPEN.org.

Source: AMERIPEN