TIPA is a manufacturer of high-performance certified compostable flexible packaging. Gary serves as Director of Public Affairs for TIPA. In this capacity Gary seeks to build external relationships and collaborations to help advance consumer access to composting and the acceptance of compostable packaging.
Gary is a self-declared eco-advocate and has been advancing innovation and packaging Sustainability for 28-years. His Sustainability journey was first inspired by a college professor Dr. Susan Silke at Michigan State University. That inspiration was then actualized with his first professional career as a packaging engineer at Kraft Foods where he developed innovations for the beverage division and supported the commercial launch of Capri Sun in North America. After Kraft, Gary worked with The Amway corporation setting up a global supply chain in India where exposure to the environmental challenges in India established a sense of urgency and accountability to deliver sustainable solutions. Gary is always hungry to learn and build new skills. Since those early engagements, he has gone on to lead new product development for Newell Rubbermaid, build the first global packaging department for The Home Depot, was a director of procurement and engineering, and worked for BillerudKorsnas to develop compelling 3D formable paper innovations as an alternative to plastic. More recently Gary worked as a consultant for Synaptic Packaging where he supported major brands and start-ups in developing Sustainability strategies and product roadmaps.
