American Institute for Packaging and the Environment Names New President and Announces Related Changes to Executive Committee and Board of Directors

(3BL Media / theCSRfeed) Wakefield, MA - December 15, 2011 - The American Institute for Packaging and the Environment (AMERIPEN) today announced the retirement of the organization’s president, Joan Pierce of Colgate-Palmolive Company, along with related changes to its Executive Committee and Board of Directors.

Succeeding Pierce as president of the industry trade organization that advocates for environmentally and economically sound packaging policy improvements is Gail Tavill of ConAgra Foods, Inc., formerly the group’s vice president. Other changes to the AMERIPEN Executive Committee include Shanna Moore of DuPont Packaging & Industrial Polymers being named vice president, and Jeff Wooster of The Dow Chemical Company succeeding Moore as the organization’s secretary. Ron Cotterman of Sealed Air Corporation remains treasurer.   At the same time, AMERIPEN has also appointed Richard Abramowitz, director of public affairs of WM Recycle Services, to its Board of Directors on an interim basis to serve out the remainder of Pierce’s term. In extending an invitation to Waste Management, Inc., the AMERIPEN Board is reinforcing the group’s commitment to diversity and representation of the full packaging value chain.   “Joan was a driving force in helping to get AMERIPEN launched and running,” said Tavill. “All of us sincerely thank her for her time, passion, and commitment to effect positive change in the packaging industry and we wish her all the best in this next chapter of her life.”   Formed earlier this year, AMERIPEN’s Corporate Founding Members include: The Coca-Cola Company, Colgate-Palmolive Company, ConAgra Foods, Inc., The Dow Chemical Company, DuPont Packaging & Industrial Polymers, Kellogg Company, MeadWestvaco Corporation, The Procter & Gamble Company, Sealed Air Corporation, and Tetra Pak.   Other AMERIPEN member companies include: Amcor, Ball Corporation, DaniMer Scientific, ExxonMobil Chemical, International Paper, Myriant Technologies, Inc., Owens-Illinois, Inc., PaperWorks Industries, PARC Corporation, PepsiCo, Saint-Gogain Containers, Inc., Sonoco, and Waste Management, Inc.   AMERIPEN advocates packaging policy developments in North America and focuses on measures that are environmentally and economically sound, as well as socially responsible. The Institute, with a material neutral approach, encourages science-based decision making on sustainable packaging initiatives and provides a point-of-view and guidance to policy makers and thought leaders on the value and role of packaging.   About AMERIPEN The American Institute for Packaging and the Environment (AMERIPEN) engages with thought leaders in the packaging industry . including representatives of trade associations, academic institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and government agencies . to facilitate relevant research and identify key data and standards to advance the organization’s mission. Additionally, AMERIPEN engages on public policies impacting the packaging value chain on topics related to packaging and the environment, and represents the interests of the industry which includes raw material producers, packaging manufacturers, packaging users and fillers, retailers, and material recovery organizations. For more information, visit AMERIPEN.org.   AMERIPEN, the AMERIPEN logo, and The Power of Packaging in Balance are trademarks of the American Institute for Packaging and the Environment. All other company names mentioned may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.   CONAGRA19641