2017 TAPPI PIMA Executive of the Year Winner

2017 TAPPI PIMA Executive of the Year Winner

Packaging Corporation of America’s Mark W. Kowlzan Named Recipient of TAPPI/PIMA 2017 Executive of the Year Award

Highest TAPPI/PIMA honor recognizes excellence and outstanding managerial contributions

ATLANTA, March 29, 2017 – TAPPI is pleased to announce that Mark W. Kowlzan has been named winner of the esteemed TAPPI/PIMA Executive of the Year Award. Mr. Kowlzan is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of PCA. He has been a member of TAPPI since 1979.

“Under Mr. Kowlzan’s leadership, PCA continues to grow and strengthen,” said Larry N. Montague, TAPPI president and CEO.  “During his time as CEO, PCA has strongly supported our student activities including Maine Paper Days and TAPPI Student Summit.” 

Mark W. Kowlzan has served as PCA's Chairman since January 2016 and as Chief Executive Officer and a director since July 2010. From 1998 through June 2010, he led the company’s containerboard mill system, first as Vice President and General Manager and then as Senior Vice President – Containerboard. From 1996 through 1998, Mr. Kowlzan served in various senior mill-related operating positions with PCA and Tenneco Packaging, including as manager of the Counce linerboard mill. Prior to joining Tenneco Packaging, Mr. Kowlzan spent 15 years at International Paper Company, where he held a series of operational and managerial positions within its mill organization.

Mr. Kowlzan received an undergraduate degree in Natural Science from Assumption College, an undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering and Pulp and Paper Engineering from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, a graduate degree in Pulp and Paper Engineering from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell and an MBA from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. He is a member of the board of directors of the American Forest & Paper Association.