Director of Speaking Services, Institute for Trend Research

Alex Chausovsky is an accomplished speaker and the director of Speaking Services at ITR Economics. He is a highly experienced market researcher and analyst with more than a decade of expertise in subjects that include macroeconomics, industrial manufacturing, automation, and advanced technology trends. He has consulted and advised companies throughout the U.S., Europe, Brazil, China and Japan for the last fifteen years and has been featured on NPR, the BBC and in the Wall Street Journal.

President/Owner, Schneider Packaging Equipment

Bob Brotzki joined Schneider Packaging Equipment in February 2016. In his role, he oversees all aspects of the company’s operations in addition to driving the company’s overall direction and strategic priorities. In June 2018, he became part of the Schneider ownership group. Prior to joining Schneider, he served as assistant athletic director of Football Player Development at Syracuse University. Bob earned his undergraduate degree from Syracuse University where he was a four-year letter winner in football before a career in the NFL.

President, DDR Communications

President of DDR Communications, Donna Ritson founded the company over 30 years ago.DDR’s business is based on a direct response methodology that delivers market research, business development, strategic alliance and actionable market intelligence for companiesin virtually every B2B industry. DDR has been a partner with PMMI for over 12 years reporting on the trends that help members gain a deeper insight into key markets and customers.

Artist and consultant on the creative process

Erik Wahl is an internationally recognized artist, TED speaker, and No. 1 bestselling author. His breakthrough experience as an artist and entrepreneur has translated into making him into one of the most sought-after corporate speakers on the circuit today.

Executive Director, Institute of Packaging Professionals

Jane Chase is a veteran of the packaging industry, having worked in the field for over twenty-five years. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Marquette University in Milwaukee and a Master’s of Science in Engineering Management from the Milwaukee School of Engineering. Jane’s professional career includes a breadth of experiences involving ever expanding roles in Quality Assurance, Operations, Processing and Packaging with a multitude of large innovative CPG companies including SC Johnson Wax, General Mills, ConAgra Food, Ecolab Inc., Schwan’s Food and US Foodservice. As a passionate advocate of the power of packaging, Jane has been a staunch supporter of the Institute of Packaging Professionals – an organization dedicated to providing educational and networking opportunities to help packaging processionals succeed in their careers. Her support began in the Minnesota Chapter more that 20 years ago, where she engaged at the local level before taking on multiple volunteer leadership roles with IoPP’s national organization, culminating with two separate terms as Chair of the Board of Directors. Jane earned her lifetime Certified Packaging Professional (CPP) in 2003 and was inducted into the Institute’s College of Fellows in 2005. Jane is currently the Executive Director of the Institute of Packaging Professionals and is thrilled to be energizing a whole new generation of packaging professionals by connecting them with the veterans in the industry.

Motivational Speaker

Jason grew up in Michigan, where at age thirteen, he landed his first job as a radio disc-jockey and eventually a television reporter while attending high school and college. At age 21 he became the youngest radio station group-owner in the nation. Later, he founded Jennings-McGlothlin & Company, a consulting firm that became the world’s largest media consultancy whose legendary programming and sales strategies are credited with revolutionizing many parts of the broadcasting industry. As a consultant, Jennings traveled the world working with and teaching the leadership teams of companies in New Zealand, Australia, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Europe, the US and Canada while flying more than 10 million miles. 

Engineering Vice President, T. Marzetti Company

Lisa Rathburn is the engineering vice president at the T. Marzetti Company with strong experience in food and beverage and pharma industries. She received her MBA from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. Lisa is an Executive Council Member for PMMI’s OpX Leadership Network.

CEO, Pilz Automation Safety, L.P.

Michael Beerman has a Masters in Business Administration from Xavier University and has been certified as a CMSE® - Certified Machinery Safety Expert, by TÜV Nord. Michael started his 18 year career at Pilz as a Sales Engineer and rose through the ranks to become the CEO nearly 10 years ago. Mr. Beerman is a contributing member of the ANSI B11 ASC, and a voting member of the ASTM F24 Standards committee.

Sr. Industry Advisor, Kliklok-Woodman - Division of Syntegon

Ross Long was previously executive vice president and a principle of Kliklok Corp prior to the sale of the business to Bosch Packaging. Subsequent to the sale to Bosch, he was global vice president of Sales for Secondary Packaging. Ross is now a senior advisor to the group, serves on the Board of Directors for PMMI and sits on PMMI’s Program Planning Committee.

President/CEO, All-Fill, Inc.

Ryan Edginton is the president and CEO of All-Fill, Inc. Ryan has been in the packaging industry since 2006, working in various departments throughout his career. In 2015, he followed his family’s legacy and became the president/CEO of All-Fill, which his grandfather founded in 1969. Since then, he has grown All-Fill and continues to expand market share and bring satisfaction to their customers. 

Partner at McKinsey & Company

Based in Silicon Valley, Shekhar Varansi advises clients in the industrial, technology, and semiconductor sectors on strategy, end-to-end margin excellence (operations improvement, pricing, commercial excellence), and postmerger integration. He jointly leads several knowledge efforts for McKinsey & Company’s Advanced Electronics Practice. Shekhar has also spoken on key industry trends and their implications at several industry conferences

Vice President & General Manager, ITW Hartness

Tim Hudson is the vice president & general manager for ITW Hartness, a division of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW). He also serves as the managing director for Hartness International Europe GmbH. Tim has full P&L responsibility for the division and oversees strategic and day-to-day operations of the division globally. Prior to joining ITW, Tim was general manager of the Mechanical Systems Products division of GE Aviation Unison. He has also held various positions as general manager for the Industrial Products segment, digital leader for GE Aviation Unison and director of Commercial Operations for GE Aviation Systems. Tim began his career at Rockwell Automation where he held various positions in sales leadership and engineering.

Retired United States Army Staff Sergeant of the 82nd Airborne

On April 10, 2012, United States Army Staff Sergeant Travis Mills of the 82nd Airborne was critically injured on his third tour of duty in Afghanistan by an IED (improvised explosive device), losing portions of both legs and both arms. He is one of only five quadruple amputees from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to survive such extensive injuries. Travis now lives an inspiring life as a quadruple amputee –he has written a New York Times bestselling memoir titled, Tough As They Come; he speaks across the country motivating others to live by his motto: “Never give up. Never quit.”; and his foundation’s state of the art facility in the Belgrade Lakes Region of Maine hosts combat injured veterans and their families for an all-expenses paid, barrier free vacation.