Join the Contract Packaging Association (CPA) and the Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network (CFBN) for a dynamic gathering of contract packagers and manufacturers, food & beverage brands, and industry suppliers as we explore the key challenges currently facing our industry. Through engaging discussions and shared insights, we’ll tackle the challenges we face as the supply chain and retail channels once again undergo changes and upheaval.

Touring Innovation. Then, experience the science and creativity behind flavor development with an exclusive tour of McCormick Flavor Solutions, consistently rated as one of the Best Places to Work in the US. See firsthand how cutting-edge technology and expertise come together to create the flavors that shape the food and beverage industry.

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, collaborate, and gain a fresh perspective on the future of contract packaging and manufacturing—one flavorful insight at a time!

AGenda

12:30 PM   Doors open

1:00 PM     Opening Remarks (CFBN and CPA Overviews)

1:30 PM     Panel Discussion: Impacts on the Supply Chain today

2:30 PM     Break

2:45 PM     Panel Discussion:  Managing Volatile Supply Chain issues

3:45 PM     Tour of facility and Networking session with all participants

5:00 PM     Additional Networking

6:00 PM     Event Ends

SPEAKERS

ERIC GREENBERG

Principal Attorney - Eric F. Greenberg, P.C.

Food & Drug Law

Eric Greenberg is an attorney who has been practicing Food and Drug law for over 40 years.  He represents companies who develop, make, package, co-man or co-pack, supply or distribute food and beverages, and help them comply with federal and state legal requirements regarding manufacturing, ingredients, labeling and other issues. Among his clients are the Contract Packaging Association, a membership organization for co-man and co-pack companies, their suppliers and brands.  In addition to his law practice, he is legal columnist for Packaging World magazine, and a member of the Adjunct Faculty of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California. He serves on the Board of Directors of Bigger Table.

R.J. PARRILLI

CEO

Midway Staffing

RJ Parrilli is the CEO of Midway Staffing and its affiliated entities. He has co-founded several staffing and recruitment firms specializing in food manufacturing & distribution, light industrial, construction, office, and healthcare roles. Under his leadership, his companies have become some of the largest and fastest-growing privately held staffing agencies in the U.S. 

JAMES (Jim) PFEIFFER

Managing Director

Alvarez & Marsal

Jim Pfeiffer is a Chicago-based Managing Director at Alvarez & Marsal, a global professional services firm with over 11,000 professionals serving clients in more than 35 countries.  Jim is based in Chicago and is part of A&M’s Corporate Performance Improvement practice.  Jim has served food and beverage clients across the ecosystem – from agricultural cooperatives to ingredients to finished goods manufacturing.  He specializes in complexity reduction and operations cost optimization; he has delivered meaningful improvements in product margins, direct and indirect materials and services cost, labor cost, transportation and logistics costs, manufacturing throughput, lead time, first-pass yield, customer service performance, inventory investment, and obsolescence expense.

CHARLES WEINBERG

Chief Executive Officer

MSI Express

Charles is starting his 17^th year as CEO, and has helped grow MSI Express through a combination of organic growth and acquisition of other Contract Manufacturing companies – Manufacturing Solutions International, Express Packaging, Power Packaging, and PacMoore Products.  He has cofounded MSI in 2008 starting with a single installation.  Prior to MSI, he managed contract manufacturing for Smurfit Stone Container for 6 years.  Charles' Consumer Packaged Goods experience is based on 16 years of engineering and manufacturing roles at The Clorox Company.  His career started with 5 years of engineering and operations roles at Bethlehem Steel Corporation. He holds a Masters Degree in Business from Indiana University and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University. 

TJ WIDUCH

Director of Specialty Flavor Operations

McCormick FONA

TJ has nearly 40 years in the taste solutions industry. He oversees end-to-end Supply Chain for all Flavors, Seasonings, and Ingredients for McCormick North America.   This includes overseeing three manufacturing facilities and more than 4,000 different product SKUs.    He began his career at FONA in 1987, serving roles in all aspects of manufacturing operations. At FONA he also held roles on the commercial side, from Account Executive to Sales Leader to Business Unit director to Executive Vice President.  He led the growth of several business units as well as leading growth globally establishing entities in UK, China, and Latin America.  In 2019, TJ transitioned back to Supply where he focused on serving customers, on time, in full, with premium quality. When McCormick & Co acquired FONA in 2020, TJ was a crucial leader in the transition and has continued to lead by scaling a customer-centric approach and service to McCormick Flavor Solutions.  He continues to lead manufacturing for the Specialty Flavor Value Stream. 

LACEY YOUNG

Plant Manager - Geneva, IL

General Mills

Lacey is General Mills' plant manager at the Geneva, IL facility. She was the first female plant manager at General Mills' important Fridley Mill facility, and shared some thoughts and advice. “My best advice for women across manufacturing is to not let anyone else define your joy or potential. When the voice in your head starts to doubt, either squash it or reach out to a trusted ally to close that door. We are strong, talented, and worthy.” Community is also important to Lacey. “My connections and experiences have not only helped chart my course but helped me believe in my future potential. I feel supported, encouraged, and challenged to use my unique strengths as a  leader.”

MORE SPEAKERS TO BE ANNOUNCED

Event Hosts

RON PUVAK

Executive Director

The Association for Contract Packagers and Manufacturers (CPA)

Ron Puvak has been in the packaging industry for over 48 years. In 1976 he began his career as a Research Technician managing projects in Material Strength studies, Fracture Analyses and Technology Training. Later he was promoted to  Technical Sales Representative with responsibilities for the development and promotion of inspection systems to the packaging industry. Next, he assumed the roles of Regional Manager – Europe, New Product Marketing Director and finally New Business Development Director. 

In 2007 he joined Plastic Technologies Inc. where he focused on Marketing and New Business Development for the PTI family of companies. For over 10 years he was the Managing Director, of the PTI’s/SBA-CCI joint annual event “The Packaging Conference”.

ALAN REED

Executive Director

The Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network 

Alan Reed is the Executive Director of the Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network, a startup, nonprofit organization that brings industry players together, provides a forum for collaboration and support, and better connects the 4,500 companies in the industry across Chicagoland to drive innovation and growth in the region.  The group leverages the power of the food & beverage industry in Chicagoland to grow the industry, and the local economy. 

Prior to this new role, Alan was Executive Vice President, Strategy & Innovation at Dairy Management, Inc., and was responsible for creating and driving innovative strategies to grow dairy demand. Before joining DMI, Alan was a strategy consultant working with a variety of Fortune 100 companies.  Alan has a degree in Telecommunications from Indiana University, an MBA in Management & Strategy from Northwestern University, where he has taught innovation and new product development, and a certificate in Non-Profit Management from the University of Notre Dame. 

This event is organized JOINTLY with:

AND IN COLLABORATION WITH: