PPC: The Future of Paperboard Packaging Is Already Here BY LAUREN ZUBER
Spend enough time around the folding carton industry, and you’ll hear a familiar question: Where will the next generation of leaders come from? The answer, it turns out, is already here. Across North America, emerging professionals are stepping into lead- ership roles, bringing fresh perspectives while building on the knowl- edge and experience of those who came before them. They are helping companies navigate sustainability challenges, embrace new technolo- gies, develop stronger teams, and create innovative packaging solutions for a rapidly changing marketplace. PPC recently spoke with several of these rising leaders, including
• Only standard hand tools are required for all maintenance • Direct drive with no chains or sprockets • No tools for media change required » just zip it up » media change out in minutes • Filter is accessible for visual inspection during operation, Significant Advantages Over Conventional Dust Filtration Technology
Karla Ness of Mill Rock Packaging, Inc., recipient of PPC’s 2026 Woods Scholar Award; Emma Roehlke of F.M. Howell & Company; Eva Liss of Accord Car- ton Company; Madison Keyser of Utah Paper Box Company; and Tyler James of Malnove Packaging Solutions.
While each entered the industry through a dif- ferent path, their stories reveal something distinc- tive: a shared belief in the opportunities ahead and a deep appreciation for the people who make this industry special. Different Journeys, Shared Purpose One of the strengths of the paperboard packaging industry is the di- versity of experiences that people bring to it. For some, the industry is part of a family legacy. Karla Ness
As a fifth-generation member of F.M. Howell & Company, Emma Roehlke, Business Development & Director of Marketing, grew up watching her grandfather, mother, and father lead the business and serve their community. Even as a sixth grader, she envisioned one day helping lead the company herself. Today, she remains motivated by the op-
» no shutdown required • Filter media advantages - high dust collection efficiency
- low pressure loss due to constant deep cleaning of the filter media in minutes - long service life
Emma Roehlke
portunity to help shape the future of both the company and the industry while continuing a tradition of community involvement and innovation. Madison Keyser, Vice President of Administration at Utah Paper Box Company also began her journey with family, but included time outside
• No pressure fluctuations within the system • No compressed air required to clean the filter media
the industry. After spending five years in Human Resources with Fortune 500 companies, she re- turned with a deeper appreciation for leadership, culture, and employee engagement.
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That experience reinforced a lesson she still carries with her today: “You don’t have to be the most technical person in the room to make an im- pact.” For Madison, people skills, strong training, and employee engagement are just as critical to a successful manufac- turing business as technical expertise. Others found their way into paperboard packaging through a passion for manufacturing itself. For Karla Ness, the appeal lies in watching ideas become reality. As this year’s Woods Scholar Award recipient, she was drawn to the indus- try’s unique ability to transform an initial concept into a finished pack- age that consumers see on store shelves every day. What keeps her en- Madison Keyser
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8 June 29, 2026
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