Press release submitted on behalf of The Paperboard Packaging Council
The Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC) proudly announces that Immediate Past President Bennett “Ben” Markens has been named the recipient of the 2026 Robert T. Gair Award, the organization’s highest and most distinguished honor.
The award was presented during PPC’s Spring Meeting Awards Dinner in Louisville, Kentucky, where nearly 250 industry leaders from across North America gathered to celebrate a lifetime of leadership, service, and impact. The evening included several special guests who traveled in for the occasion, including Markens’ wife and life partner, Jennie, his daughter, Beth, and former Chief of Staff, Western MA native Lou Kornet, all of whom joined in recognizing this meaningful milestone.
The Robert T. Gair Award is named for the innovator who helped shape the modern folding carton industry. In 1879, Robert T. Gair saw a possibility where others saw an error. While reviewing a flawed production run in his Brooklyn plant, he recognized that cutting and creasing could be combined in a single pass through the press. That realization transformed manufacturing and laid the foundation for today’s folding carton industry.
Reflecting that legacy, the Gair Award is reserved for individuals whose careers demonstrate lasting impact across three areas: advancing the paperboard packaging industry, providing leadership within PPC, and strengthening their companies and communities. Since its establishment in 1988, only a select group of industry leaders has received this recognition.
Markens’ career spans more than forty-five years and reflects deep experience across nearly every facet of the folding carton industry. From operations and manufacturing to executive leadership and strategy, he has built a reputation as a thoughtful, steady leader and a trusted voice across the industry.
In 2008, Markens was asked to support PPC amid declining membership and broader industry challenges. What began as an opportunity to lend his expertise became a defining chapter of his career. He helped reinvigorate the organization, inspire volunteer leadership, and strengthen PPC’s role as a unified voice for the folding carton industry.
Emily Leonczyk, President of PPC, joined Hilda Murray, PPC Board Chair and Executive Vice President and co-owner of TPC Packaging in Chattanooga, TN, to present the award. The presentation featured a tribute video with voices from across Markens’ career, capturing both the scope of his contributions and the character behind them.
“Industries do not evolve by accident. They evolve because of individuals who choose to contribute to something bigger than themselves,” said Leonczyk. “Ben has done exactly that. He has opened doors, created opportunities, and shaped not only this industry, but the people within it.”
Industry leaders who took part in the presentation reflected on Markens’ impact across companies and generations. Ken Petty, President of Indiana Carton Company Inc., spoke to Ben’s lasting contributions to his family-owned business and the practical insight he has brought to operators across the industry. Hilda Murray noted that TPC Packaging would likely not be involved with PPC today without Ben’s leadership and encouragement. Darryl Carlson, President of Royal Paper Box Company, shared that his team once welcomed Ben to their plant with the words “In Ben we trust,” reflecting the confidence and trust Ben had built through decades of partnership and support.
The tribute video offered a more personal look at the man behind the leadership. Colleagues described someone who is always willing to share his knowledge, someone who believes deeply in helping others succeed, and someone who shows up with both wisdom and warmth.
From his early days as one of the youngest plant managers in the industry to his work as a consultant, founder of The Markens Group, and architect of a revitalized PPC, Markens has strengthened companies, educated generations, and elevated the industry as a whole.
Markens’ contributions reflect each of the pillars the award represents, and his impact extends well beyond the industry.
Markens has dedicated himself to serving his local community, contributing hundreds of hours to organizations including Red Gate Farm, the Mary Lyon Foundation, United Way, the Ashfield Town Financial Committee, and the Economic Development Council. His commitment reflects a belief that leadership is not limited to the workplace but is demonstrated through service and stewardship.
“Ben is the first person to raise his hand when there is an opportunity to support others, whether that is within this industry or in the communities we serve,” Leonczyk said.
“Community service is not an initiative for him. It is a fundamental behavior, and it reflects the values the Markens Group was founded on nearly 38 years ago.”
Throughout the evening, one theme remained clear. While technology and markets continue to evolve, the strength of the folding carton industry remains rooted in relationships, collaboration, and a shared commitment to progress.
The evening concluded with a tribute to Markens’ career and a standing ovation from peers, colleagues, and friends. The Robert T. Gair Award could not have a more deserving recipient.
For more information about the Robert T. Gair Award and past recipients, visit www.paperbox.org/gair