Reusable Packaging Association elects new chairman, adds marketing executive

Michael Wasson has been named the Reusable Packaging Association’s board of directors chairman. Wasson is the chief operation officer of Tosca.

Wasson first joined the RPA board in 2018 and was appointed secretary-treasurer of the association later that year. He chaired the RPA’s operations and logistics committee in 2017. His service to industry and professional organizations also includes his current position on the board of the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM). He has over 20 years of broad-based supply chain and operations experience in large size organizations.

“I am excited to lead a strong Board to strategically position RPA during a time of rapid transformation on how products are packed and moved in supply chains,” Wasson said. “With reuse as the preferred approach to manage packaging materials sustainably, RPA’s primary role to raise awareness about reuse has never been greater. I am honored to follow Rick Sasse’s leadership at RPA in advancing the industry opportunities for all association members.”

In addition:

• The RPA Board also appointed Ben Stoller, CEO of Paxxal, as the new Vice Chairman.
• Kevin Mazula, CEO of RM2, was selected as secretary-treasurer.
• Joining as a new board member is David Kruger, president of TriEnda Holdings.

Also, RPA has hired Hillary Femal, principal of Freshwater Marketing, into a new staff role as chief marketing officer. She served as RPA chairman of the board from from 2015 to 2016. Her 15-year career in the reusable transport packaging business includes the roles of vice president of sales and marketing for the nation’s largest recycled pallet company, 48forty Solutions, and vice president of global marketing for a global leader in reusable plastic containers for fresh food products, IFCO Systems. Femal will lead RPA’s marketing programs to increase awareness about the use and value of reusable packaging systems.

“RPA is enhancing our capabilities to support the growth of the reusable packaging industry and to advance the common business interests of member companies,” said RPA president & CEO Tim Debus. “With much attention around the world on the preference to reuse packaging in circular economy models, RPA is pleased to add Hillary Femal to our team to help demonstrate how our members offer product and service solutions for the adoption and optimization of reusable packaging systems.”