Welcome takes helm at packaging association
Welcome takes helm at packaging association
WASHINGTON -- Jerry Welcome has been named president of the Reusable Packaging Association, based here. He started the job Nov. 3 as the first full- time president of RPA, a group whose membership has grown considerably over the past year.
Mr. Welcome returns to heading a trade group after serving as executive vice president of business development at the United Fresh Produce Association from 2006 to 2008. Before that, Mr. Welcome had been president of the International Fresh-cut Produce Association for three years until it merged with United Fresh in 2006.
"I am very excited to be back working for a packaging-related association, especially one that is on the cutting edge of supply chain issues and leading a revolution in packaging that is focused on bringing innovations to the marketplace that are reusable, sustainable, good for the environment and helping to reduce greenhouse emissions," Mr. Welcome said in a Nov. 10 statement.
The Reusable Packaging Association started in 1999 as the Reusable Pallet & Container Coalition. The group represents manufacturers, poolers, distributors, retailers and educators that advocate the supply chain efficiencies, environmental benefits, ergonomic improvements and cost advantages of recycled packaging.
Fred Heptinstall, the association's chairman of the board, announced the new hire and the group's new strategic focus.
"This has been a great year for the RPA," Mr. Heptinstall said in a statement. "We adopted a new strategic direction for the association focused on increasing the growth of reusable packaging systems, and we are pleased to report an accelerated adoption of reusable systems in the marketplace."
United Fresh Vice President of Communications Amy Philpott touted Mr. Welcome's role in the 2006 merger between the two associations.
"Jerry played an important role in the IFPA-UFFVA merger, joining United Fresh at that time and leaving earlier this year in 2008," she said. "We are happy that he is in a position that will keep him involved in the industry." Mr. Welcome previously held management positions with the Packaging Machinery & Manufacturing Institute and the American Meat Institute.
Mr. Welcome returns to heading a trade group after serving as executive vice president of business development at the United Fresh Produce Association from 2006 to 2008. Before that, Mr. Welcome had been president of the International Fresh-cut Produce Association for three years until it merged with United Fresh in 2006.
"I am very excited to be back working for a packaging-related association, especially one that is on the cutting edge of supply chain issues and leading a revolution in packaging that is focused on bringing innovations to the marketplace that are reusable, sustainable, good for the environment and helping to reduce greenhouse emissions," Mr. Welcome said in a Nov. 10 statement.
The Reusable Packaging Association started in 1999 as the Reusable Pallet & Container Coalition. The group represents manufacturers, poolers, distributors, retailers and educators that advocate the supply chain efficiencies, environmental benefits, ergonomic improvements and cost advantages of recycled packaging.
Fred Heptinstall, the association's chairman of the board, announced the new hire and the group's new strategic focus.
"This has been a great year for the RPA," Mr. Heptinstall said in a statement. "We adopted a new strategic direction for the association focused on increasing the growth of reusable packaging systems, and we are pleased to report an accelerated adoption of reusable systems in the marketplace."
United Fresh Vice President of Communications Amy Philpott touted Mr. Welcome's role in the 2006 merger between the two associations.
"Jerry played an important role in the IFPA-UFFVA merger, joining United Fresh at that time and leaving earlier this year in 2008," she said. "We are happy that he is in a position that will keep him involved in the industry." Mr. Welcome previously held management positions with the Packaging Machinery & Manufacturing Institute and the American Meat Institute.
