Our Management Team

Our management team has a broad range of experiences in the packaging industry that is quite complementary. We are always counting on each other's strengths to better serve our client base.

Kenneth Gillman

Founding Partner

Kenneth Gillman is a Founding Partner of The Packaging Design Group. Ken has more than 30 years of experience in packaging sales, marketing and manufacturing.

Prior to starting PDG, Ken developed his expertise in all facets of the business while serving in several roles at Poly-Seal/Berry Plastics for 17 years. He learned the business from the ground up and as a result has an unparalleled understanding of plastics manufacturing.

As VP of Sales and Marketing for Poly-Seal, Ken was instrumental in developing and expanding the core product line of injection and compression closures, collaborating routinely with the company’s engineering and manufacturing departments. He was also involved with corporate acquisitions and was instrumental in growing direct sales from three national sales offices to nine.

With PDG, Ken’s vision was to take that experience and establish a unique presence in the design, development and distribution of packaging components. By identifying and meeting client requirements at the packaging development stage, Ken believes PDG can offer greater quality and value than any other company in the packaging distribution business today.

Education:

University of Delaware, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration: Minor - Marketing

Professional Development:

Penn State University Executive Management Program

Peter Kallman

Founding Partner

Peter Kallman is a Founding Partner of The Packaging Design Group. He has more than 30 years of experience in packaging sales, marketing and manufacturing.

Prior to starting PDG, Peter developed expertise in all facets of the business while serving in several roles at Poly-Seal/Berry Plastics. As National Sales Manager, he developed custom, injection-molded parts and expanded the stock closure line, working closely with the engineering, product development and manufacturing departments. During his 15 years at Poly-Seal, Peter established strong relationships with national and multi-national companies in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, health & beauty aid, household chemical and food industries.

With PDG, Peter’s vision was to create a company that offers clients a wide array of services and expertise. PDG combines the sales and marketing experience and technical knowledge Peter gained from working with a world-class molding manufacturer in offering prospective and current customers the services and expertise equal if not better to them having in-house Packaging Design and Engineering Departments.

Peter’s plan for the future is to continue to expand PDG’s business, utilizing the same vision and model in supporting the endeavors of the highly trained & experienced Sales Management Team.

Education:

Rutgers University, Bachelor of Science in Management, with Honors
Alpha Sigma Lambda – Beta Zeta Chapter
University College Honor Society

Marta Sylvester

V.P. Sales & Marketing

Marta Sylvester is VP of Sales & Marketing for The Packaging Design Group. She has more than 20 years of experience in the packaging industry.

Marta’s career began with in-depth manufacturing experience in sales and operations with rigid packaging blow molders (Admiral Plastics/Berry and Captive Plastics/Berry). She gained extensive knowledge in plastic molding manufacturing and mold maintenance, primarily serving the Pharmaceutical/OTC, Nutraceutical and Cosmetic markets.

After leaving manufacturing, Marta spent the next 15 years in distribution with both NWB (Tricor Braun) and, most recently, Package All Corporation (VP Sales & Marketing). Throughout her packaging career, Marta has developed domestic and global sales, and was instrumental in setting up inventory management operations and quality departments. Marta has extensive knowledge of FDA-approved packaging solutions for the Pharmaceutical/OTC and Nutraceutical markets. She also has experience serving the Indian, Asian and European markets.

Marta's level of packaging knowledge extends far beyond rigid plastic packaging and includes Pharmaceutical Coil (cotton/rayon/polyester), Desiccation as well as Corrugated and Flexible packaging. Her expertise in these areas helps us better serve our current customer base and allows us to branch out into new packaging markets.

Education:

Pace University, Marketing

Professional Development:

Philip Crosby's Zero Defect Program

Stacy M. Kecken

Director of Operations

Stacy began her career with The Packaging Design Group in 1998. From the very beginning, she has been an integral member of our team. Her responsibilities over the years have grown commensurate with PDG’s growth.

As PDG’s Director of Operations, Stacy oversees the day to day activities with clients by heading the Customer Service, Procurement and Logistics departments. Stacy’s strong organizational skills and attention to detail coupled with her complete understanding of “sense of urgency” ensures that PDG’s customers continue to receive the same unwavering and unparalleled level of service that they have grown accustomed to receiving in the past.

In addition to Customer Service, Stacy is also responsible for the day to day communications with our manufacturing partners by overseeing our procurement initiatives and logistics operations (warehousing and shipping). Her keen understanding of our business as well as precisely what is needed and expected so as to more than satisfy our customers positions her to capture and execute all of the details required from our vendor partners.

Greg Fredrick

Director of Global Business Development

Greg Fredrick is the Director of Global Business Development for The Packaging Design Group. He has more than 30 years of experience in the rigid packaging industry with a concentration in plastics (injection, extrusion and compression blow molding), metal cans and filling line equipment.

Prior to joining PDG, Greg was with Owens-Illinois/Rexam for 12 years and Silgan Plastics for 15 years. He provided packaging solutions for global companies such as Pfizer, Wyeth, Johnson & Johnson (pharma and consumer divisions), Playtex and Procter & Gamble. He was involved in PET container sales to Pepsi, Coke, RC and Seven Up franchises, as well as Heinz.

As a result of his vast experience in packaging, Greg has a proven record in providing innovative packaging solutions with a focus on supply chain cost reduction.

Education:

Bowling Green State University, Bachelor of Science, Marketing and Sales Management

Professional Development:

SAP training
International Negotiating Academy
O-I Management Development Training
ISO 9000 Training
SPC Training
Philip Crosby's Zero Defect Program

Rob Tretter

Western Regional Sales Manager

Rob Tretter joined The Packaging Design Group with 20+ years’ experience working with Fortune 100 Consumer Products companies in Healthcare, Food & Beverage and Household industries developing stock/custom bottles and closures for new and existing consumer packages.

Rob has an Industrial Engineering background and technical experience in injection, compression and blowmolding plastic processes covering a range of materials and multilayer applications. He has experience working in various filling and capping environments including ambient fill, retort, clean room and aseptic filling. Rob can also troubleshoot capping & sealing issues and can provide customers with recommendations for specific liners and package compatibility.

Education:

Kansas State University, Bachelor of Science, Industrial Engineering