As a child, Ben grew up in a racially diverse neighborhood in Chicago. After moving to the east coast he watched, with curious eyes, as his father worked as the CFO of a camera business. During college, he worked on the camera company’s assembly line with people from very different economic realities. These experiences sparked Ben’s interest in supporting community and building business—two aims that would remain consistent throughout his career. 

The next leg of Ben’s career began in a paperboard and folding carton manufacturing company. Working his way up to Plant Manager in only five years, Ben mastered the skills he would soon use when he made the bold decision to break out and start a management consulting firm with his dear friend, Andy, and his wife, Jennie. Before long, Ben was traveling across the country, helping companies create tighter operating controls, superior performance, and increased profits. When PPC began to suffer from decreased engagement, shrinking membership numbers, and lost revenue, they asked Ben to take over. With a newly expanded team, Ben used his business and leadership skills to turn the association into a newly thriving organization.

Outside work, Ben loves to spend time with his family, serve on numerous nonprofit boards, and walk the many hills of his town, Ashfield, Massachusetts, where he has exceeded 10,000 steps per day, 365 days a year, for over six years without a miss. Obsessive and compulsive? Maybe! But he’s also compulsive about community, elevating our team, and making a difference.

Vice President of Sales for Integrity Fiber. Former Disc jockey turned waste paper manager/consultant with 17 years of waste paper experience. Quinn enjoys spending time with his family and working hard to keep up with a Crossfit wife.

Jen is from Mishawaka, IN.  She is a 1997 graduate of Western Michigan University with a BSE in Paper Engineering.  She has over 26 years of experience in the paper industry working in paper mills.  For the 1st 10 years of her career, she worked at Mead (Currently Pixel Solutions) in Chillicothe, OH focusing on coated free sheet, carbonless, and book grades. She performed production roles through Paper Machine Superintendent.

During the next 8 years, she worked at Appleton Papers (Currently Domtar) in West Carrollton, OH focusing on the production of thermal paper (receipts, labels, etc.).  She performed Machine Superintendent and Production Manager roles.

Jen began her career with Graphic Packaging International in Middletown, OH in the technical services group as a Sr. Process Engineer in 2016.  After 1 year there, she had the opportunity to move to the GPI mill in Kalamazoo, Michigan where she currently holds the position of Technical Services Manager.  She is responsible for the quality of all products produced at the mill and technical support for the production areas.  She is also responsible for all customer issues and new product customer qualifications.  She has significant involvement with the mill’s intern program and is involved with Western Michigan University Paper Technology Foundation activities.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling primarily to tropical locations, SCUBA diving, and going to concerts.

Susie Stitzel is Esko’s Director of Product Management for Design & 3D Solutions. Susie has more than 25 years of experience in the design, prepress, printing, and packaging industries. Her roles have covered a wide spectrum of the industry, including design and prepress management, customer training and support, product management and strategy development. Susie is completely passionate about packaging – to the point that her family will no longer shop with her. She has assisted universities and schools with their packaging curriculum and has enjoyed serving on the Advisory Board for the School of Packaging at Michigan State University. Susie is a frequent speaker at industry events, including the HOW Design and FUSE conferences, the Paperboard Packaging Council, the Brand Protection Conference, the Sustainable Packaging Coalition and for the Product Development and Management Association (PDMA). She can be reached via e-mail at: susie.stitzel@esko.com.

Susie Stitzel is Esko’s Director of Product Management for Design & 3D Solutions. Susie has more than 25 years of experience in the design, prepress, printing, and packaging industries. Her roles have covered a wide spectrum of the industry, including design and prepress management, customer training and support, product management and strategy development. Susie is completely passionate about packaging – to the point that her family will no longer shop with her. She has assisted universities and schools with their packaging curriculum and has enjoyed serving on the Advisory Board for the School of Packaging at Michigan State University. Susie is a frequent speaker at industry events, including the HOW Design and FUSE conferences, the Paperboard Packaging Council, the Brand Protection Conference, the Sustainable Packaging Coalition and for the Product Development and Management Association (PDMA). She can be reached via e-mail at: susie.stitzel@esko.com.

John Pettus is the Director of Marketing & Corporate Accounts for Wikoff Color. Prior to his role in corporate services, he served as a sales representative for the Charlotte, NC manufacturing site. His territory included South Carolina and areas of North Carolina and Georgia. John has extensive training in offset lithography, flexography and rotogravure. John's experience makes him very knowledgeable in oil-based, energy-cure, water-based and solvent-based ink and coating technologies. John earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Graphic Communications from Clemson University.

Eric Frank has garnered more than 40 years in the printing industry, first as a 17-year veteran with a major press manufacturer and now 18 additional years with Koenig & Bauer North America, Inc.  A graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), he holds a Bachelor of Science degree from RIT as well as an associate degree in Printing from New York City Technical College. He has served and is currently serving as executive representative to several prominent industry associations. He currently holds the position of senior vice president of marketing and product management overseeing marketing, public relations, product management, sales operations, CRM, and the customer center.

I have 20 years’ experience in the paperboard and packaging industry. Through my tenure I have held a variety of roles from helper on a die cutter to Finishing Manager. I enjoy through my position the ability to build partnerships with our customers and become the link from converting to successfully representing the Brand they are building. Ultimately once a package is made it is an advertising tool promoting the brands and products. It is important that that through the converting process the brand image and representation depict the image the company desires to represent. The ability to do this is the Value we strive to bring to the process.

Harold Leete is an accomplished sales executive with over 25 years of experience in the printing and packaging industry. Currently serving as the North America Director of Sales for the Folding Carton division at BOBST, Harold leads a team of Regional Sales Managers and oversees national accounts for companies with multiple manufacturing locations across North America. Before this role, he spent nearly 11 years at HP Inc., where he held various positions, including HP Indigo Sales Account Manager and Business Development Manager for Industrial Print.

Harold’s career also includes significant experience as a Regional Sales Manager at BOBST and sales roles at Heidelberg and Bottcher America Corp. His expertise spans folding cartons, digital printing, print on demand, offset printing, and packaging. Earlier in his career, Harold served as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army, where he completed several leadership courses and earned the distinction of Honor Graduate in the Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course.

Susie Stitzel is Esko’s Director of Product Management for Design & 3D Solutions. Susie has more than 25 years of experience in the design, prepress, printing, and packaging industries. Her roles have covered a wide spectrum of the industry, including design and prepress management, customer training and support, product management and strategy development. Susie is completely passionate about packaging – to the point that her family will no longer shop with her. She has assisted universities and schools with their packaging curriculum and has enjoyed serving on the Advisory Board for the School of Packaging at Michigan State University. Susie is a frequent speaker at industry events, including the HOW Design and FUSE conferences, the Paperboard Packaging Council, the Brand Protection Conference, the Sustainable Packaging Coalition and for the Product Development and Management Association (PDMA). She can be reached via e-mail at: susie.stitzel@esko.com.