David Savastano, Editor05.15.17
From his beginnings in the Instrument Repair department through ink formulation and now purchasing, Kevin Bergeson always looked for ways to grow.
Bergeson, who is global category manager – packaging raw materials, Flint Group, first joined the ink industry when he interviewed for a technical position with Flint Group in 1990. The hiring manager was Diane Parisi, then the News Ink lab manager. His lack of experience made him ineligible for an opening in her department, but Parisi saw potential. She personally walked Bergeson to the utilities management manager, who hired him on the spot.
“I knew when I first met Kevin 27 years ago that he was a smart and dedicated guy, and that Flint Group would benefit greatly from having him as an employee,” said Parisi, who is now Flint Group’s regional VP of procurement.
Bergeson was pursuing a degree in business when he joined Flint Group. Upon joining the lab, he took a temporary hiatus from business courses to study general chemistry, and completed his chemistry degree. He moved into the Packaging ink lab as a formulator and from there moved up through the ranks of tech service representative and then lab manager for the Packaging Lab.
He spent almost 15 years in the labs, primarily focusing on liquid packaging inks. While in the lab, Bergeson invented a high-speed ink testing unit to save customers time on press qualifying inks. He also implemented a troubleshooting process that reduced the number and value of customer challenges and he developed a variety of new inks for packaging applications such as high-speed film and milk and juice cartons. He also developed multiple coating formulations that are still in use today.
In 2005, he joined the Procurement Group and is now in charge of a team that manages global packaging ink raw material purchases for Flint Group.
“I am fortunate to now have Kevin working directly for me. His technical expertise and knowledge of the liquid packaging side of our business has been invaluable, not only to the Procurement team but also to the technical and business communities,” Parisi said.
Bergeson credits many of his colleagues with his success. “I have had a lot of bosses who put in extra effort and people who have mentored me,” said Bergeson. “I feel blessed to work alongside colleagues at all levels who are really, really good people to work with.”
Outside of work, Bergeson spends much of his free time with his wife and four children. He also serves as a leader in his local church and enjoys hunting, fishing and golf.
Bergeson, who is global category manager – packaging raw materials, Flint Group, first joined the ink industry when he interviewed for a technical position with Flint Group in 1990. The hiring manager was Diane Parisi, then the News Ink lab manager. His lack of experience made him ineligible for an opening in her department, but Parisi saw potential. She personally walked Bergeson to the utilities management manager, who hired him on the spot.
“I knew when I first met Kevin 27 years ago that he was a smart and dedicated guy, and that Flint Group would benefit greatly from having him as an employee,” said Parisi, who is now Flint Group’s regional VP of procurement.
Bergeson was pursuing a degree in business when he joined Flint Group. Upon joining the lab, he took a temporary hiatus from business courses to study general chemistry, and completed his chemistry degree. He moved into the Packaging ink lab as a formulator and from there moved up through the ranks of tech service representative and then lab manager for the Packaging Lab.
He spent almost 15 years in the labs, primarily focusing on liquid packaging inks. While in the lab, Bergeson invented a high-speed ink testing unit to save customers time on press qualifying inks. He also implemented a troubleshooting process that reduced the number and value of customer challenges and he developed a variety of new inks for packaging applications such as high-speed film and milk and juice cartons. He also developed multiple coating formulations that are still in use today.
In 2005, he joined the Procurement Group and is now in charge of a team that manages global packaging ink raw material purchases for Flint Group.
“I am fortunate to now have Kevin working directly for me. His technical expertise and knowledge of the liquid packaging side of our business has been invaluable, not only to the Procurement team but also to the technical and business communities,” Parisi said.
Bergeson credits many of his colleagues with his success. “I have had a lot of bosses who put in extra effort and people who have mentored me,” said Bergeson. “I feel blessed to work alongside colleagues at all levels who are really, really good people to work with.”
Outside of work, Bergeson spends much of his free time with his wife and four children. He also serves as a leader in his local church and enjoys hunting, fishing and golf.
