Morton S. Ackerman, CPA Founder and Managing Member, Ackerman Consulting Group (School for Financial Managers & Controllers). Mort has spent his entire adult life intricately involved in the corrugated industry. As founder of the School for Financial Managers and Controllers, creator of the AICC/Ackerman Cost Report and popular speaker at the industry conventions, Mort has for more than forty years been a major innovator in the financial area of the corrugated industry. His firm advises many companies throughout the country for mergers and acquisitions, next generational planning, and financial consulting. In 1997, he was voted into the AICC/Paperboard Packaging Hall of Fame. Recently, Boxboard Containers International voted Mort as one of the “Top Fifty” most Influential Leaders of the Box and Carton Industry for the 20th Century.

John Bacot, Regional Sales Manager, Hycorr Machine Corporation (Renewing Your Sales Force). John has over 20 years experience in sales and marketing for information technology and converting machinery industries. Since 2001 he has been regional sales director for two well-known machinery suppliers. John is also an Adjunct Professor of Marketing in the MBA and MSM programs with the Johns Hopkins Graduate School of Professional Studies in Marketing and Education and is a certified Huthwaite SPIN ® instructor.

Kern Cox, Instructor, Printing and Converting Research Center (Print/Con), Clemson University (Overview of Post Printing on Corrugated Board). Kern has worked in the printing industry since 1995 where his experience spans from screen printing in the electronics industry to lithographic and flexographic printing industries. Kern joined Clemson University in 2002 where he facilitates flexographic training seminars and testing for the industry.

J. Page Crouch, Ed. D., Alumni Professor Emeritus, Clemson University Graphic Communications Department (Selling to Print Capability in-house program). After 31 years in the department, Page retired as an Associate Professor in 1999. He is well-known in the corrugated industry as a leading educator and the author of numerous articles and publications in graphic arts, flexography and printing. He received his A.B. and M.A. from San Diego State College and his Ed.D. from the University of Missouri.

Robert Forrest, President, Discovery Development Group (Basic Supervisory and Leadership Training, 21st Century Customer Service Online, Customer Service Managers’ Forum, In-House Courses). Drawing from almost 40 years experience in sales, management and marketing positions at International Paper, Bob facilitates all four of AICC’s core courses. He is also a part-time instructor at Georgia State University and Clayton State College and frequently contributes articles to the Paperboard Packaging magazine.

Mark Keller, Corrugated Flexo Instructor, Fox Valley Technical College (Fundamentals of Improved Flexo Printing & Rotary Die Cutting). Mark has 14 years experience in flexo printing, seven years in the industry and seven as an instructor at Fox Valley Technical College. He currently runs wide web, narrow web, and corrugated training seminars and research and development trials.

Mitchell E. Klingher, CPA, M.S. Ackerman & Co., LLP (School for Financial Managers & Controllers, Corrugated Industry Finance for Non-Financial Executives, CEO Advisory Groups). Mitch, the Tax Partner of M.S. Ackerman & Co. LLP has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, estate planning and tax advisory work for many clients in the corrugated business. He is a frequent speaker at AICC national and regional meetings, and with over twenty years experience in financial consulting and complex tax matters, he is always informative to all seminar participants.

Rory Marsoun, Lecturer and Co-Facility Director, Printing and Converting Research Facility, Clemson University (Foundational Elements of Flexographic Printing on Rotary Die Cutters). Rory has experience in all aspects of flexographic printing, including new technologies such as digital file-preparation and digital platemaking. He also has experience with corrugated packaging structural design. Rory joined Print/Con in 2004 and facilitates training to the industry. Print/Con also offers research and testing opportunities.

T. Dean Mitchell, Consultant, The Mitchell Group (Advanced Production Supervisors Training, Production Managers’ Forum, CEO Advisory Groups). Dean has over 25 years experience in packaging, including responsibilities leading up to general manager of corrugated container plants for Boise Cascade. Since leaving the industry Dean has run his own consulting business to sheet and corrugator plants, offering advise in strategic planning, plant systems auditing, performance planning and review, productivity improvement, etc.

Mark Neely, Mark Neely Seminars (Negotiating from Strength in-house program). Mark is a trainer in sales, customer service, leadership and negotiation strategies. For nine years until December 1998, he was a seminar leader with a world renowned organization training business leaders in the art of negotiation. Before that, Mark worked in television production and writing, cofounded a clothing supply company, and worked in sales and customer service.

Jack O’Connor, Consultant, O’Connor & Associates (Sales Managers’ Forum, Advanced Production Supervisor Training). Jack has over 30 years in the corrugated industry with responsibilities in sales/marketing, sales management, division management and as a senior executive responsible for nine sheet plants, one fabricated foam packaging and wood crating business, and four re-distribution businesses. He also served as a pilot for the U.S. Air Force.