Breaking Down Boxes AICC, The Independent Packaging Association

Welcome to Breaking Down Boxes. We have compelling conversations with entrepreneurs in the packaging space.
In this episode, we talk with Charlie Hodges, President and Chief Operating Officer for Hood Container Corporation.
Hodges has nearly 50 years in the industry and has held roles at many major companies, but he found his home at Hood Container. Inspired by a high school teacher’s passion for chemistry, Hodges went to Georgia Tech to become a chemical engineer. After graduation, he followed in his father’s footsteps and began working at Union Camp Corp., where he was given his first real taste of the pulp and paper industry.
In this episode, he shares his concerns about workforce development, how leadership expectations have changed, and what it means to truly build a company culture and hold everyone accountable to it.
About Charles E. Hodges
President and Chief Operating Officer
Hood Container Corporation
After earning his degree in Chemical Engineering from Georgia Tech, Charlie went on to hold titles such as President & CEO of Port Townsend Family of Companies (Port Townsend, WA) and Senior Vice President for Georgia Pacific Corporation (Atlanta, GA) before joining Hood Container when the company was formed in 2012.
Charlie currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Fibre Box Association and American Forest and Paper Association. Additionally, he has served on the Board of Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industries (TAPPI) as well as being elected a TAPPI Fellow in 2008. In April 2022, Charlie was presented with The International Corrugated Packaging Foundation’s Circle of Distinguished Leaders award. 
Connect
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn (Hood)
LinkedIn (Charlie)
In the next episode hear the history of the industry from Steve Young, AICC.
New episodes drop the first Monday of every month. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe!
This podcast is brought to you by AICC, The Independent Packaging Association. Learn more at www.AICCbox.org. When you invest and engage, AICC delivers success.
Breaking Down Boxes is sponsored by Ox Box, offering strength you can depend on.

Welcome to Breaking Down Boxes. We have compelling conversations with entrepreneurs in the packaging space.
In this episode we talk with John Burgess, President, Pamarco.
After earning a chemistry degree, John Burgess saw a tough economy and decided to go abroad for a career. He landed in Bahrain, was told plans had changed, and was shipped off to Abu Dhabi.
After five years of pouring concrete into oil wells, Burgess decided to find a different path. With his family now in the US, he decided that he would be home.
Moving to a country he barely knew; Burgess joined his father and brother at Pamarco. With a brief detour from the company notwithstanding, that is where he created a career that would last him a lifetime.
Working his way through the company and building his leadership style as he saw success Burgess eventually earned the role of President.
About John Burgess
President, Flexo Division
John started his career at Pamarco as a Technical Sales Representative in the Northeast in 1987 before becoming Plant Manager of the Dallas and California facilities from 1988-1992. After a brief stint away, he returned to Pamarco as Plant Manager of the Roselle, NJ facility before being promoted to VP Manufacturing and then GM of the Gravure and Emboss Divisions. John was promoted to President of the Flexo Division in 2011. Prior to joining Pamarco, he worked with Halliburton Services for five years in the oilfields of Abu Dhabi and Oman in various roles, ending as Field Chemist in 1987.
John’s education was in the UK, graduating from Turton High School in 1978 and being awarded a diploma in Chemistry from Sheffield Hallam University in 1981, prior to immigrating to the United States.
John resides in New Jersey with his wife and two children, where he spends his spare time as an avid golfer.
Connect
LinkedIn
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube
On the web: US and UK
Resources
See all free online courses, including Optimizing the Flexographic Printing Process.
In the next episode, hear from Charlie Hodges, Hood Container.
New episodes drop the first Monday of every month. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe!
This podcast is brought to you by AICC, The Independent Packaging Association. Learn more at www.AICCbox.org.

Welcome to Breaking Down Boxes. We have compelling conversations with entrepreneurs in the packaging space.
In this episode we talk with Gary Brewer, President, Package Crafters, Inc. and Creative Packaging, Inc.
Brewer saw his path. The company he was working for was paying for his graduate degree. He and the son of the company President would take over the company from their fathers someday.
Then life took a turn. Brewer and his father were let go. After a fruitless six-month job search Brewer called his dad and the outcome of that call ended up being Package Crafters.
Brewer put everything he had on the line to start the company which is now in its 20th year. Acquiring Package Crafters in 2015 brought in new opportunities and challenges, especially when trying to lead from hundreds of miles away.
About Gary
After getting his degrees in chemical engineering and pulp and paper science at North Carolina State in 1992, Brewer began his career as a Process Engineer at St. Joe Paper Company in Port St. Joe. Fla. He then joined the largest independent corrugated converter in North Carolina. 
During that time Brewer completed an MBA at Wake Forest University and, shortly thereafter in 2003, he and his father founded Package Crafters in High Point, NC, leading with the promise of a three-day lead time to his new customers. In 2015, he extended his geographic footprint by acquiring Creative Packaging in Savannah, GA.
He has served on the AICC's board of directors in various roles over the last eight years and is currently Vice Chairman with plans to assume the Chairmanship in 2025.
Resources
AICC CEO Advisory Group
All AICC Groups
Connect
Gary on LinkedIn
Creative Packaging on LinkedIn
Package Crafters on LinkedIn
http://www.packagecrafters.com/
https://www.creativepkg.com/
Remember to rate, review, and subscribe!
The next episode will drop on May 9, a little later than usual, so we can bring you the latest conversations from the AICC Spring Meeting.
This podcast is brought to you by AICC, The Independent Packaging Association. Learn more at www.AICCbox.org. When you invest and engage, AICC delivers success.
Breaking Down Boxes is sponsored by Ox Box, offering strength you can depend on.

Welcome to Breaking Down Boxes. We have compelling conversations with entrepreneurs in the packaging space.
In this episode, we talk with Kim Nelson, President & CEO of Royal Containers.
Rather than pursuing a career in law as she had planned, Nelson returned home when her father, the founder of Royal Containers called. It was supposed to be temporary, but she turned it into her career and found her passion in trying to build and grow what her father had created.
Founder Ross Nelson, after a rough start causing the family to lose everything, built Royal into a strong company. Several years after the next generation came into the business a decision had to be made about the company's direction. Kim Nelson looked at the company as a business, and if it were run as a successful business could benefit the family. Her father agreed and knew the company had to grow, but others in the family thought differently. Kim honestly shares the challenges her family faced during this transition.
Kim Nelson | President & CEO
Since joining Royal Containers in 1992, Kim Nelson has been on a journey dedicated to the company’s long-term success. After the transfer of management from founder Ross Nelson to the next generation in 2009, Kim has been able to lean, not only an extensive understanding of sales, service and production in corrugated packaging but also a Bachelor of Business Administration (Honors) degree earned from Brock University.
Since taking on the role of President & CEO, Kim has led the future of Royal Containers in part by becoming positioned as Chairman of the Board and shareholder at Tencorr Packaging and Greenpac Mill. She also led the acquisition of C & B Display Packaging in 2019.
Kim’s service as President of The Independent Packaging Association (AICC) Canada and Chairman of AICC International is formally recognized in a 2018 induction into AICC’s Industry Hall of Fame. She is currently the Overseas Director and Business Advisor with the association.
Kim leads by example as an international Triathlon competitor and CrossFit Games athlete. Her teammates call her audacious and authentic, but Kim credits planning and training for her placement on leaderboards and as a 19-time Ironman finisher.
Kim chooses to live, work, play and raise her family not far from where she herself grew up, north of Toronto. As a mother of three, her family brings Kim her greatest happiness.
Connect with Royal Containers
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Linkedin
YouTube
Royalcontainers.com
Resources
Holly Green, The Human Factor
In the next episode hear from Gary Brewer, Package Crafters & Creative Packaging.
New episodes drop the first Monday of every month. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe!
This podcast is brought to you by AICC, The Independent Packaging Association. Learn more at www.AICCbox.org. When you invest and engage, AICC delivers success.
Breaking Down Boxes is sponsored by Ox Box, offering strength...

Welcome to Breaking Down Boxes. We have compelling conversations with entrepreneurs in the packaging space.
In this episode we talk with Chad Wagner, President of Peachtree Packaging, in Lawrenceville, GA.
Wager was recruited by the founder of Peachtree Packaging when we was working after school as a golf caddy. After graduating high school Wagner joined the air force and then studied at UGA, where in his junior year the Peachtree’s founder asked him to come back after he graduated. Working throughout the plant, and excelling in sales Wagner, with several partners, eventually bought Peachtree Packaging.
Wagner said, “the company is continuing to learn and evolve and spend capital to add assets for what we want to do and increase our capabilities. We care about investing in our people and attracting the best talent. We are constantly asking how we can push the company forward with better service and solutions to bring value to the marketplace and help as many people as we can.”
Throughout his story you hear the value of his work ethic and how his belief in what Peachtree could be gained him friends in the company and helped the company grow.
Connect
Peachtree's Facebook page
@ptreepackaging on Twitter
Peachtree on YouTube
Peachtree's TIkTok
Peachtree's LinkedIn
Peachtree's Website
In the next episode we sit down with Kim Nelson of Royal Containers.
New episodes drop the first Monday of every month. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe!
This podcast is brought to you by AICC, The Independent Packaging Association. Learn more at www.AICCbox.org. When you invest and engage, AICC delivers success.
Breaking Down Boxes is sponsored by Ox Box, offering strength you can depend on.

Welcome to Breaking Down Boxes. We have compelling conversations with entrepreneurs in the packaging space.
In this episode we talk with Dave Callif, Chairmain & CEO, and Rob Callif, President of BCM Inks.
The father/son team share how skills from the fashion industry and P&G translate into corrugated, succession planning, and the challenges of being a start-up.
Listeners can hear how their practical, rather than emotional, choices led to a smooth transition and maintained harmony when there are children in and out of the company.
CEO/Chairman

David founded BCM Inks in the United States in 1988, adding to a successful packaging industry career that has spanned nearly 40 years. A graduate of The Ohio State University, David began his professional vocation with The Procter & Gamble Company in 1972.

He has contributed to the industry through participation on numerous boards, including serving as the AICC Associates chairman and co-chair of the AICC Sustainability Committee. David has been a speaker on various industry topics at Clemson University, Fox Valley Technical College, ACCCSA, FFTA, FPPA, PIRA and AICC.

David recently was recognized by Clemson University, receiving the Bill Treadaway Award for outstanding contributions to graphic arts education. David also was honored by the national news program “Eye on America” for his and BCM Ink’s contribution to sustainable technology for a healthy environment.
President
As BCM Inks’ second-generation owner, Rob is involved in operating and growing the business with the same integrity and philosophies his father incorporated when founding the Cincinnati-based company. With more than two decades of experience working at BCM Inks, Rob provides sales and technical service to clients as well as oversees daily functions of the enterprise.
Prior to joining BCM, Rob was regional sales manager and financial administrator for two start-up Internet companies. Rob is a graduate of the University of Florida, where he earned a BSBA degree in finance.
Rob also is an author, having been published in numerous books and magazines including “Sustainable Graphic Design,” “Corrugated Today” and “Ink World.” In addition, Rob is a popular speaker who has educated audiences at AICC, ACCCSA, FPPA and Fox Valley Technical College.
Connect
BCM Ink's Website
BCM on LinkedIn
Rob on LinkedIn
Dave on LinkedIn
New episodes drop the first Monday of every month. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe!
This podcast is brought to you by AICC, The Independent Packaging Association. Learn more at www.AICCbox.org. When you invest and engage, AICC delivers success.
Breaking Down Boxes is sponsored by Ox Box, offering strength you can depend on.