ICPF honors exceptional individuals, leaders whose vision, creativity and energy have moved the entire corrugated industry forward, in a program that recognizes the Distinguished Leaders of the Corrugated Packaging Industry. Naming a corrugated industry leader to the ICPF “Circle of Distinguished Leaders” ensures that those who have made their mark on this global industry will receive a permanent tribute to their vision, their business acumen, and their commitment to excellence in support of the corrugated packaging industry.
Business colleagues, friends, and family are invited to bring honor to an exceptional individual through this special ICPF program. Nomination entails a single or group tax deductible contribution or pledge to ICPF of $15,000 – $17,500 (ICPF partner vs. non-partner nomination), that can be paid in one lump sum, pledged over time or collected through multiple smaller donations to ICPF made in the name of the nominee by companies and individuals. Most importantly, the net receipts are used by ICPF to fund programs to support the current and future workforce needs of the industry. To acquire a nomination form or to learn more about making a nomination, contact ICPF at [email protected].
The Corrugated Packaging Industry Celebrates the Legacy of 2024 Inductee Jeff Schwarz
On October 7, 2025, ICPF and corrugated packaging industry leaders celebrated Jeffrey Schwarz’s posthumous induction into this prestigious group.
Jeffrey Schwarz
2024 Circle of Distinguished Leaders Inductee
The Corrugated Packaging Industry Pays Tribute to 2023 Inductees
Circle of Distinguished Leaders Inductees
| Bruce Benson – FBA and ICCA President |
| William I. Flinn – Founder and CEO, Scope Packaging; AICC and ICPF Chairman |
| J. Richard Troll – ICPF and AICC Founder and President |
| Ronald Warll – Founder and CEO, Dicar Inc. |
| James McKinney – Vice President and General Manager, Lewisburg Container |
| William J. Sweeney – Senior Executive, Packaging Corporation of America; FBA and ICPF Chairman |
| Laurence C. Schiffenhaus – Co-Chairman, Schiffenhaus Packaging Corporation; AICC Chairman |
| Jack D. Grollman – President and Owner, Triangle Container; AICC and ICPF Chairman |
| Thomas G. Landaal – President, Landaal Packaging Systems; FBA Chairman |
| Ben Fiterman – CEO and Chairman, Liberty Diversified Industries |
| Harold G. Craddock – Founder and CEO, Triad Packaging |
| John C. Cooper, III – Legal Counsel, Fibre Box Association and its allied associations |
| William C. Akers – Founder and CEO, Akers Packaging Service; AICC and ICPF Chairman |
| Jack Schwarz – Founder and CEO, Schwarz Partners |
| Richard Sharfstein – Co-Founder and CEO, The Strive Group |
| Mort Ackerman – President, Ackerman Consulting Group |
| Hardy Sanders – Co-Founder and Chairman, Bates Container; AICC and ICPF Chairman |
| Marvin Grossbard – Founder and President, President Container |
| Edward Fienning – Founder and President, Kankakee Container and Sumter Packaging |
| Richard Hoerner, Sr. – President, Hoerner Boxes; Chairman, Hoerner-Waldorf Corporation |
| Paul Vishny – General Counsel, AICC – The Independent Packaging Association |
| Michael Harwood – Deputy CEO, Pratt Industries; World Containerboard Organisation Chairman |
| James E. Haglund – Founder & CEO, Central Container & Display; AICC President |
| James B. Porter III – President of Business Development & Latin America, WestRock; FBA Chairman |
| Joseph R. Palmeri – CEO Jamestown Container; AICC President; FBA Board of Directors |
| Charles E. Hodges – President and COO Hood Container Corporation; FBA Board of Directors |
| Dennis Colley – President and CEO, FBA; President and CEO, ICCA |
| Pete Watson – Executive, Chairman & CEO, Greif; FBA Board of Directors |
| Jeff Schwarz – General Partner, Schwarz Partners |