Ben Markens (CONT’D FROM PAGE 1)
PPC’s Transformation In 2008, the PPC was facing an uncertain time. Mem- bership was declining and many trade associations were failing. Markens stepped in. Not because it was easy, but because he believed in the industry. He took it over when the future looked dismal, and he saved the organization because he believed in it. When his group came on board, they basically re-engineered, re-marketed, rebranded the entire PPC. Under Markens’ leadership, losses stopped in year one. Membership grew, engagement deepened, and sponsor- ship expanded dramatically. The organization found not only stability, but renewed purpose. He was instrumental in leading, facilitating discussions and getting the organi- zation through the process, one year at a time. Markens is considered a legend in the industry. He be- lieved associations like the PPC should educate, inspire, and build for the future. He helped bring the TICCIT pro- gram to life, so elementary and middle school students can learn about recycling. The Paperboard Packaging Alliance (PPA) also came to life, which became the platform for the annual student de- sign competition. Markens had a unique way of deciding how to create more value than just having people come to meetings and having good speakers, but to participate and engage themselves in the multiple facets of what this industry can provide. Folding Carton Bootcamp is another program that came out of Markens’s leadership. If you think about the amount of people that have attended Bootcamp, there are thousands he has influenced with this training. Bootcamp is a hands-on experience for industry newbies where sup- pliers present their knowledge about the folding carton industry and the ultimate immersion for anyone new to the In a moving video tribute, Ben Markens’ career journey flashed by in photos and with complimentary commentary from industry colleagues. The audience learned just how a young boy raised in Oak Park, Illinois, would grow up to become one of the most influential voices in the fold- ing carton industry. From his humble beginnings as a ju- nior accountant at Federal Paperboard Inc. to becoming a plant manager at age 26 at Laurino Packaging, Markens’ passion for the industry was evident. His years at Laurino were formative in every sense. Professionally, he wrote a quality manual, created and programmed an estimating system, and negotiated two union contracts. Personally, it was also where he met Jenny, the love of his life. At 31, his curiosity about the industry led him to consult- ing and a break from plant management. He took the tech- niques, the methods, almost the science that was reserved for big integrated companies that owned paper mills and he made them accessible to everyone in the converting industry. Markens went on to earn the trust of family busi- nesses, independent converters, and global leaders alike. industry and eager to learn. Ben Markens, The Person
The Measure Of A Leader The Gair Award is not handed out with regularity; rath- er, it is reserved for candidates of exceptional merit. In his address to an audience of more than 300, Ken Petty from Indiana Carton Company shared, “It's the type of award that sits back and waits for someone to come into focus. Over the 20 years that I've known Ben and the PPC, he is certainly someone that's truly come into focus. He exem- plifies the tenets of the PPC Lifetime Achievement Award.” Petty went on to share the tenets of the Gair Award and reflected on how Markens exemplified them. He contin- ued, “As anyone who's sat next to Ben on a bus ride over to a hotel or restaurant can probably tell you, he figures out a way to get folding cartons into the conversation, no matter what. “That third component of the Gair Award is giving back to the communities in which you live. So, not only does Ben share his talents with us here in the PPC community, but he shares his talents back home in his community.”
Leonczyk added, “Ben is somebody who advocates to get others involved. He's the first to put his hand up and say, ‘how can I help? I want to make my community where I live richer, stronger, better.’ So tonight, I am humbled and honored to celebrate the impact that Ben has had on our industry and on all our lives.” Daryl Carlson, President of Royal Paper Box Company, also shared his perspective on why Ben’s contributions to PPC and the broader industry were so impactful. “Ben has had a deeply profound effect at Royal, inject- ing humor into many of our meetings. I've had the privi- lege of being mentored by both Ben and Royal's long-term owner, Jim Hodges, who was also a Gair Award winner in 2011. You'd think that with two guys mentoring me like that, I would know a lot more. But I am what I am.” Markens has helped infuse the energy of collaboration into PPC, from sharing ideas to working on challenges that no one individual can always solve. “Even with companies that compete in the marketplace, we all get together at the PPC and talk about things that will fundamentally make our business better and make it better for our customers,” Carlson said. Emily Leonczyk reflects on the profound impact Ben has had on her career.
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20 April 6, 2026
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