Next generation of leaders honored for accomplishments and commitment to the packaging and processing industry.

Herndon, Va; Oct. 1, 2024 - PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, is pleased to announce its seventh annual On the Rise Award winners. Developed by PMMI's Emerging Leaders Committee, the awards program recognizes 10 young professionals who have demonstrated leadership potential in packaging and processing.

2024 On the Rise Award Recipients
• Alex Vargo, vice president, manufacturing, Lako Tool & Manufacturing, Inc.
• Alfonso Gil, sales engineer, METTLER TOLEDO - Product Inspection
• Carolyn Chase, senior engineer - segment product management, FANUC America Corporation
• Cody Halminiak, mechanical design engineer, Morrison Container Handling Solutions
• Cole Anderson, assembly manager, PDC International Company
• Dinesh Vasabakthula, controls software lead engineer, Applied Manufacturing Technologies
• John Diamond, sales executive, BW Flexible Systems
• Mike Scritchfield, regional sales manager, Viking Masek Packaging Technologies
• Santos Maltez, key account manager, Sneed Coding Solutions, Inc.
• Victoria Sithy, senior marketing communication specialist, Felins, Inc.

Award recipients were honored on Sept. 23 at the Chairperson's Dinner at PMMI's Annual Meeting in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and received free airfare, event registration, and hotel stay. The winter issue of OEM magazine, the official publication of PMMI, will profile each honoree.
"These young professionals have positively impacted their companies and are committed to outstanding job performance, collaborative problem solving, mentoring colleagues, and continuing education and career advancement," says Jackie Sessler, North America marketing director of BEUMER Group and chair of the PMMI Emerging Leaders Committee. "PMMI and the Emerging Leaders Committee recognize their talent, skills, hard work, and initiative and hope that the On the Rise Award expands their network and furthers their professional development in packaging and processing."

This year's PMMI On the Rise winners met the following nomination criteria: young professional 35 years old or younger on July 15, 2024; employed by a PMMI member company for at least one year; displays leadership potential and has positively impacted the business; and demonstrates a desire to advance his/her career in packaging and processing.
Read more about this year's winners and the On the Rise Awards here.

About PMMI
PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, represents more than 1,000 manufacturers and suppliers of equipment, components, and materials as well as providers of related equipment and services to the packaging and processing industry. We work to advance a variety of industries by connecting consumer goods companies with manufacturing solutions through the world-class PACK EXPO portfolio of trade shows, leading trade media, and a wide range of resources to empower our members. The PACK EXPO trade shows unite the world of packaging and processing to advance the industries they serve: PACK EXPO International, PACK EXPO Las Vegas, PACK EXPO East, PACK EXPO Southeast, EXPO PACK M©xico, and EXPO PACK Guadalajara. PMMI Media Group connects manufacturers to the latest solutions, trends and innovations in packaging and processing year-round through brands including Packaging World, ProFood World, Healthcare Packaging, OEM, Contract Manufacturing and Packaging, and Mundo EXPO PACK. PMMI Business Drivers assist members in pursuing operational excellence through workforce development initiatives, deliver actionable business intelligence on economic, market, and industry trends to support members' growth strategies, and actively connect the supply chain throughout the year.

Learn more at pmmi.org and packexpo.com and pmmimediagroup.com.