Faces + Places: NJPEC Presents Four Industry Executives with Packaging Hall of Fame Award
The New Jersey Packaging Executives Club (NJPEC) inducted four new members to its Packaging Hall of Fame on September 25 during a dinner at The Manor in West Orange, NJ.
The new members are Kathy Kordowski, an independent consultant specializing in product and package development; Barbara B. Poder-Stiso, senior director of package development for Del Labs/Coty Inc.; Harry Marmora of Professional Packaging Specialties, a supplier located in North Bergen, NJ; and Scott Widro, vice president of manufacturing and materials management for Chanel.
Kathy Kordowski
Kathy Kordowski is an independent consultant working in the health and beauty industry. Her main areas of expertise are product and package development, and she has extensive experience in cost efficiencies, engineering, speed to market, and innovation. Before starting her own business, Kordowski spent 25 years with Avon Products, most recently as vice president of global new product engineering and development. Her responsibilities at Avon included leading the development process for more than 500 new products and packages, from ideation through delivery.
A few of Kordowski’s notable accomplishments while at Avon included being instrumental in globalizing its beauty product line. This was achieved by harmonizing package specifications, creating global standards, leveraging global sourcing, and understanding regional consumer differences. She also succeeded in driving collaboration efforts between marketing and supply-chain groups.
Barbara B. Poder-Stiso
Poder-Stiso is senior director of package development for Del Labs/Coty Inc. Her extensive career in the industry began at Dana Perfumes working in R&D. Her responsibilities later expanded to include package development and creative services.
Poder-Stiso’s next position was within the package development department at Revlon. During the following years, she took positions with Halston-Prlane and Gryphon Development.
Harry Marmora
Harry Marmora is vice president at Packaging Specialties, a supplier of packaging materials to the beauty industry.
Marmora’s packaging career began in 1962 at Metro Glass. He went on to work for the corrugated division of Owens-Illinois, and then at St. Joe Paper & Stone Container. In 1975, Marmora founded Data Packaging, which later purchased Lee Container.The two companies were renamed Professional Packaging Specialties.
Scott Widro
Scott Widro, vice president of manufacturing and materials management for Chanel, began his packaging career 31 years ago working in the printing and vacuum-forming fields for four years.
In 1980, he switched to the areas of fragrance and cosmetics when he accepted a position at the The Estée Lauder Companies. While at Estée Lauder, he worked as director of purchasing until 1988.
Next, Widro moved on to become executive director of materials for Calvin Klein Cosmetics. His responsibilities broadened to include production planning, new product management, subcontracting, and systems implementation. This experience allowed him to develop an in-depth knowledge of materials management and the supply chain.
Widro has been with his current employer, Chanel, since 1993. He started out as vice president of materials management, and in 2007, his title changed to vice president of manufacturing. His responsibilities now include manufacturing, industrial chemistry/compounding, purchasing, package development, package engineering, production planning, inventory management, subcontract manufacturing, and new product management.
“My team takes marketing concepts and turns them into tangible and shippable reality,” says Widro. His team is a critical link in the supply chain, making certain that all products are developed and shipped on time.
“I am happy to say that even after being with Chanel for 15 years, I am truly enjoying what I do and learning something new each and every day,” Widro says.
NJPEC’s Voting Process
NJPEC has been inducting members into its hall of fame since 2002. Ron Cataldo, president of VPI Inc. and former NJPEC president, along with Bill McKeon of Premium Packaging and NJPEC’s hall of fame committee chair, conceived the concept.
“Our idea was to honor the accomplishments and careers of the people in our industry who have 25 or more years of experience. Then, Ron introduced the idea to NJPEC, taking it to a higher level and turning it into a significant industry event,” says McKeon.
Originally, NJPEC planned that the four new members chosen each year would be from four different areas of expertise: packaging, purchasing, sales, and entrepreneur.
“Our choices continue to be loosely based on these categories, but we don’t always strictly adhere to them,” says McKeon. Candidates are not required to be an NJPEC member or even live in New Jersey to be chosen for the hall of fame.
“Nominations are open to all qualified people who have made significant contributions to our industry. People in the industry suggest candidates to us. Then, the candidates are discussed and voted on by our hall of fame committee members,” says McKeon.
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