A luminary and female leader in the packaging community for over 35 years now, cofounder and President of Wexler Packaging Products Pattie Wexler is a firm believer in helping train the next generation of female packaging professionals. “We’re very excited to be joining the NJPEC Scholarship Program,” states Wexler.
Pattie Wexler entered the packaging industry in 1978 starting out as a salesperson working for her father, Max Wexler, who founded Wexler Packaging Products in 1974 as a small packaging supplies company selling to end users in the PA/NJ/DE area. In 1996 Pattie officially took over as the President and head of Wexler Packaging Products, Inc.
Also an active member of WBENC (Women’s Business Enterprise National Counsel), Wexler understands the importance of investing in the next generation of women in the packaging industry. “Whether it’s awarding scholarships or contributing to various packaging organizations and trade associations, it’s critical that we support students to ensure that the best and brightest consider packaging as a career path,” notes Wexler. Wexler Packaging Products has been a long-time supporter of packaging education, via various association and membership initiatives.
Through this new scholarship program, Wexler hopes to create opportunities for single mothers. When asked why supporting education for single mothers was a cause close to her heart, Wexler states, “Single mothers must spend time with children, run errands and work long hours to provide for their families. With that kind of responsibility, attending college may seem like an impossible feat. I want to create opportunities for women, specifically single mothers, who otherwise may not have the ability to further their education.”
NJPEC was founded in 1962 as a way to represent professionals in the packaging community as well as to create a networking mecca across all industries in hopes that members may benefit one another through shared business experience. The NJPEC annually awards scholarships to promising college students enrolled in the packaging field. Scholarship recipients also receive the added benefit of free special NJPEC Membership status for two years. NJPEC currently offers three scholarship programs for college students. The Pattie F. Wexler Women’s Packaging Professional Scholarship will formally be introduced at the annual NJPEC Scholarship Awards Dinner on Thursday, May 8th, 2014. For further information and application procedures, please email Jessica Lum at jessica.lum@topline-usa.com.
