Ben Markens (CONT’D FROM PAGE 20)
Board Converting NEWS INTERNET DIRECTORY
He understood something fundamental: Leadership isn't about hierarchy. It's about connection. And then there is the bow tie. Emily Leonczyk shared, “I was thinking through the purpose of a bow tie and a few thoughts came to mind. For one, a bow tie symbolizes individuality, and Ben has certainly been that guy. Secondly, a bow tie symbolizes intelligence. And third, a bow tie represents creativity and craftiness. The tie may not define him, but it captures something essential about his spirit. Thoughtful, distinct, unafraid to stand apart. But more than anything, what peo- ple remember most about Ben is how he makes them feel and the lasting impact of his leadership.”
ADVANTZWARE www.advantzware.com
Advantzware provides a comprehensive system to address the business management needs of the independent box business, as well as the ERP requirements of full scale pack- aging plants and integrated companies. With modules for estimating, scheduling, production, inventory and account- ing, this scalable system supports companies that produce corrugated boxes, folding cartons, point of purchase dis- plays, assembled partitions, and paperboard products. AIR CONVEYING CORPORATION www.accfilter.com Air Conveying Corporation is a leader in the industry of Pneumatic Conveying Systems and has been in business since 1968. As an equipment manufacturer rather than sim- ply a sales organization, we have complete control over the quality of material and products which make up your pro- posed system. Our equipment is found in printing, folding carton and corrugated plants throughout the world. We've been designing, manufacturing and engineering pneumatic conveying systems since 1984. We partner with our customers to ensure they operate efficiently and guar- antee our systems meet or exceed their specifications. ASDI specializes in full pull-through systems trim separators, and NFPA compliant systems with full electronic controls. AMTECH SOFTWARE www.amtechsoftware.com AIR SYSTEMS DESIGN, INC. www.airsystemsdesign.com Amtech offers the industry’s most innovative and com- prehensive corrugated and packaging ERP, integrated scheduling software, and engineered automation technol- ogy. For over 30 years, Amtech has kept our customers competitive in an ever-changing economy with customer digital storefronts and workflows, business intelligence, automated scheduling for corrugators, converting and shipping, proactive roll stock and inventory management. APEX INTERNATIONAL www.apexinternational.com World’s largest Anilox and Glue & Metering roll manufac- turer, providing the widest selection of corrugated engrav- ings and complementary services. Anilox engraving options available from our North American manufacturing facility include elongated 75°, 60°, 45°, plus Apex’s patented GTT technology. Glue rolls are produced with Hardened Stain- less Steel and a max TIR of 10 µ for Single, Double Facers.
As the 100th year of PPC approaches, it's remarkable to trace its success back to Ben Markens. He later confirmed, “About the bow tie, true story. For some holiday, Jenny bought me a bow tie, and the first day I wore it, someone told me, ‘I guess you'll look smarter.’ And I was like, that's what I'm wearing!” Lessons In Leadership Leonczyk, Markens’ successor, returned to the stage to bring the ceremony full circle, reflecting on her own jour- ney with PPC: “Ben has taught me so much over the last seven years. A couple things that stay with me: Hope is not a strategy. Vision without execution is hallucination. And the future belongs to those who see possibilities before they become obvious. “Industries don't evolve by accident, they evolve be- cause of the individuals who show up and choose to contribute to something bigger than themselves. Ben de- livered on that vision. He opened doors. Created opportu- nities. He's shaped not only this industry, but our commu- nity, my life, our community back at home. “What makes Ben unique is that he doesn't represent one perspective of the paperboard industry. He represents all of them. It's his passion, his ability to relate to people, whether it's the person running a gluer or the one who's running the company. He's an educator, he's a teacher, and he really brings people together. He knows how to network individuals through the benefit of our industry. During his speech, Ben shared, “If you combine the best of me and Jenny, you get our daughter, Beth Markens, sometimes known as Ben Jr.”
ALBANY INTERNATIONAL www.albint.com
Albany International has a corrugator belt for every appli- cation. Our reputation for durable performance is the trade- mark of the most dependable belts in service today.
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22 April 6, 2026
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