New Bylaws, Leadership, and Members
As co-chairs of the Flexible Packaging Association’s (FPA) Emerging Leadership Council (ELC), we have some news to share about the ELC.
The ELC is now officially operating in accordance with its updated bylaws, which were approved in August 2025. Under these bylaws, the ELC can have between 30 and 35 members. With several members recently completing their terms, new positions became available for additional representatives.
In February, the ELC Executive Committee reviewed member nominations and approved 11 of the 13 candidates submitted. Several of the newly accepted members represent companies that previously had no representation on the ELC, further expanding its industry engagement.
Here are the new ELC members:
- Jarod Artman, business manager–trading polyethylene at Osterman & Co.;
- Jake Branyon, director of research and development and technical services at TOPPAN Packaging Americas;
- Prakriti Gupta, business unit controller at Siegwerk;
- Eric Hair, senior manager of market strategy at
Henkel Corporation; - Jim Krueger, director of engineering, quality, and food safety at Profile Films;
- Wayne Lam, account manager for PE films at Polykar;
- Joe Murphy, area sales manager at Reifenhauser Inc.;
- Michael Rincon, director of operations at Emerald Packaging, Inc.;
- Ellen Smith, business development manager for flexible packaging at Bostik, Inc.;
- Karen Stenger, marketing and communications manager at Mica Corporation; and
- Kayla Wiesemann, marketing manager at Garlock Flexibles.
Additional positions are expected to become available this fall. A call for nominations will be distributed to representatives of FPA member companies in late July or early August ahead of the FPA 2026 FlexForward® Conference.
New Leaders
The ELC also confirmed several subcommittee leadership appointments.
John England, territory manager at Berry Converter Films, was elected vice-chair of the Education & Recruitment Committee. Patrick Clark advanced from vice-chair to chair. Clark is vice president of research and development and procurement at Bryce Corporation.
Kimberly Weiss, director of sales and marketing at Glenroy, Inc., was elected vice-chair of the Advocacy Committee. Natalie Jardell advanced from vice-chair to chair. Jardell is sustainability and technical manager, key accounts packaging inks, at Flint Group Packaging Solutions.
These leadership transitions support the ELC’s continued momentum as it expands participation and strengthens engagement across member companies.
James Rosenberger, product manager of sustainable solutions at Charter Next Generation (CNG), was elected ELC co-chair in March. Alana Carr, inside sales and marketing manager at Hosokawa Alpine American, Inc., began her second year in the role at that time.
