📅October 27-28, 2026
📍Milwaukee, WI
A born-and-raised Michigander, Eric relocated to New Jersey after obtaining dual bachelor’s degrees in Human Biology and Packaging from Michigan State University. He has spent the last decade in R&D and procurement roles for major CPGs like Unilever and Nestlé, developing a deep expertise in food contact packaging. Currently, Eric serves as a Principal Packaging Scientist for Nestlé Nutrition & Health, where he’s a part of a global rigid fiber unit to harmonize the company's ambitions within molded fiber and rigid paperboard technologies.
Chip Daley supports clients with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) data reporting, regulatory compliance, strategic planning, and financial analysis. His work focuses on helping organizations navigate complex and evolving EPR requirements, build scalable packaging data systems, and identify opportunities to improve compliance outcomes while advancing broader operational goals.
Breanna is a Senior Product Development Engineer at Amcor focused on the AmFiber Portfolio, paper-based packaging solutions. Her work with Amcor explores both 2D and 3D paper packaging solutions. Prior to her roles in R&D, Breanna has 10 years of Quality Management experience crossing many related industries: starch manufacturing, flexible healthcare packaging and paper converting. Breanna completed Bachelor’s degrees in both Chemistry and Biology from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Business Administration at St. Norbert College.
Dyan graduated from UW-Stevens Point with a Pulp and Paper Science and Engineering degree. Since graduating 18 years ago, Dyan has worked exclusively within the specialty papers market. started career with Ahlstrom in Taylorville, IL as a process engineer and worked her way up to quality manager. After 8 years, Dyan moved to Spring Grove, PA and started a chapter at Glatfelter which became Pixelle Specialty Solutions. Spent 11 years there as a development specialist and group manager for their engineered products division. There she oversaw various grades from specialty colors, archival quality, extrusion bases, office and medical papers, playing cards to food packaging (including specialty barriers). Dyan currently is utilizing her technical expertise at the Billerud mill in Escanaba, MI in her role as the quality and product development manager for the mill. Outside of work, she spend her days outside enjoying all sorts of outdoor activities with her husband and dogs.
Jason "Tuck" Tucker is the lead Global Application Specialist on H.B. Fuller's Specialty Paper Coatings team, where he partners with paper mills, converters, and coaters to develop and implement coating solutions for paper-based packaging. With more than 15 years of experience spanning manufacturing, applications testing, product development, and customer collaboration, Tuck is known for helping customers bridge the gap between laboratory innovation and commercial production.
Having worked alongside customers around the world, he has extensive experience troubleshooting coating and converting processes, optimizing line performance, and supporting successful commercialization of new technologies. Known for his ability to build strong relationships across the coated paper value chain, Tuck excels at connecting technical data with practical manufacturing realities. Whether evaluating coatings in the lab, running pilot coater trials, or working alongside operators and engineers on a production floor, he brings a hands-on perspective that helps teams identify critical process details, reduce scale-up risk, and successfully move innovations from concept to production.
Steve Ottone is the holder of a BS and MS in Wood Science from the Pennsylvania State University. His career started in the paper industry with work for Container Corporation of America, St. Regis Paper, and Champion International. He then moved to the supplier side, working in latex supply to the paper industry for Reichhold, Inc., Dow Reichhold Specialty Latex, and Mallard Creek Polymers. He worked for 7 years with a supplier of ground calcium carbonate into the paper industry. He’s currently a Technical Service Representative with Mallard Creek Polymers, a leading supplier of latex polymers for barrier coatings. His area of emphasis is polymer and rheology modifier solutions to barrier coatings needs.
HAITIAN, a high-tech enterprise, is specialized in R&D, design, manufacture and installation of different fourdrinier paper-making machine, multi-ply paper-making machine, cylinder former paper-making machine, with specification of trim width 1760-7500mm and speed 100-1200mpm, and also different inclined wire specialty paper-making machine, different rewinder with speed up to 2200mpm and deckle up to 5600mm, different disc slitting rewinder with speed up to 1200mpm and deckle up to 2800mm etc. as well.
HAITIAN has successfully developed and manufactured hot air penetration drying cylinder, and specialty paper production line, including flushable non-woven fabric, by use of special raw material, such as ceramic fiber, glass fiber, carbon fiber, aramid fiber, wasted cowhide fiber and wood fiber etc.
HAITIAN also provides rebuilding and upgrading services for your existing paper-making machine.
Steve Ottone is the holder of a BS and MS in Wood Science from the Pennsylvania State University. His career started in the paper industry with work for Container Corporation of America, St. Regis Paper, and Champion International. He then moved to the supplier side, working in latex supply to the paper industry for Reichhold, Inc., Dow Reichhold Specialty Latex, and Mallard Creek Polymers. He worked for 7 years with a supplier of ground calcium carbonate into the paper industry. He’s currently a Technical Service Representative with Mallard Creek Polymers, a leading supplier of latex polymers for barrier coatings. His area of emphasis is polymer and rheology modifier solutions to barrier coatings needs.
Gary is a mission-driven professional focused on advancing Sustainability for high-volume consumer goods. Sustainability challenges us to think differently. It challenges us to innovate and build systems solutions. Gary’s 30-years of diverse professional experience with global brands has prepared him well for this mission.
Gary started as a research scientist for Kraft Foods. This cultivated curiosity as a challenger, and analysis skills for building disruptive innovations. This is also when Gary became committed to Sustainability after the launch of his first consumer package into retail.
Gary has served in a multitude of leadership assignments. Each uniquely demonstrating his strength and diversity. Gary’s experience includes Global Manufacturing Engineer in India with the Amway Corporation, Sr. Manager New Product Development with Newell Rubbermaid, Director of Purchasing and Packaging for a global chemical company, and he was the first to build the packaging department for The Home Depot. As an innovator, Gary led development of a disruptive fiber technology for BillerudKorsnäs called Fibreform, a 3D cold formable paper to displace plastics.
Gary served a rotation in public policy, strategy, and government affairs for an Israeli based certified compostable biopolymer company called Tipa.
Gary currently operates as a fractional professional helping a portfolio of clients advance their Sustainability and innovation strategies. Gary is actively accepting new clients.
Scott is the Founder of Nextep Partners LLC, a consulting firm that focuses on driving paper-based innovations and barrier developments for sustainable packaging applications.
Scott McNutt brings over 44 years of comprehensive paper industry expertise to the stage, with a distinguished career spanning papermaking, process engineering, operations management, and Lean/Six Sigma innovation. A recognized specialist in both upstream manufacturing and downstream converting, Scott possesses deep technical insight into the stringent end-use requirements for quick-service restaurant (QSR), flexible packaging, copy and bond papers, and specialized technical paper grades.
Scott began his career in specialty papers at Dunn Paper, establishing a strong foundation in process engineering, quality management, and product development. He later transitioned to Willamette Industries, where he contributed to pioneering efforts aimed at integrating state-of-the-art papermaking technologies into the U.S. fine paper sector. Following this, he managed production operations for Wausau Paper before ultimately returning to Dunn Paper in Port Huron to spearhead operational excellence and next-generation product innovation. Over his career, Scott has toured over 40 pulp and paper mills globally to evaluate and implement emerging manufacturing technologies.
Brad Hartong supports Application Development at Primient.
Brad’s career spans over two decades across both the chemical and paper industries. Much of his work has been focused on barrier chemistries development as well as paper coatings.
Brad earned a Paper Science and Engineering, BS degree from Miami University in Ohio as well as completed advanced degrees (Masters and PhD) in the same field from the Institute of Paper Science and Technology.
Dave Magda is the Sr. Director of Innovation & Business Development for Pixelle Specialty Solutions, headquartered in Spring Grove, PA. He has 35+ years of industry experience with multiple chemical suppliers and paper manufacturing companies. Dave holds a bachelor’s degree in Paper Science & Engineering and an MBA in Technology Management.
Dr. Sandeep Kulkarni is the founder and President of KoolEarth Solutions Inc., a technical consulting and business development company focused on helping companies develop and commercialize new sustainable packaging solutions as well as to improve the sustainability footprint of existing packaging and to reduce/eliminate packaging waste. He is also VP, Plastics and Packaging at Ubuntoo (www.ubuntoo.com), a unique environmental solutions platform to address plastic waste, plastic litter, food waste, sustainable fashion and so on.
Sandeep has over 20 years of industry experience working for several large packaging companies, such as International Paper, Neenah Paper and Georgia Pacific. Most recently he worked for PepsiCo, in the area of sustainable beverage packaging. His diverse expertise includes recycling, bioplastics, paper based as well as molded fiber packaging. Sandeep has 7 granted patents as well as several publications in industry journals. He has also served on conference advisory boards and has delivered several invited presentations, at international conferences, on the topics of sustainability and sustainable packaging. Sandeep serves as an Adjunct Professor at The Packaging School (a spinoff from Clemson University) as well as the North Carolina State University. Recently he was elected to serve as member of the Executive Committee of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) for 3 year term (2021-2024)
