Allow me to introduce two new members of the Flexible Packaging editorial staff. I joined the magazine at the beginning of March when Brendan O’Neill, the editor-in-chief, left to pursue another opportunity. Some of you may already know me. My name is Lisa Pierce, and I’ve been a journalist covering the end-user packaging industry since 1981.

I started my career with Package Engineering magazine, which subsequently changed its name to Packaging. In 1993, I left Packaging to be the chief editor of Food & Drug Packaging (now Food & Beverage Packaging), a role I will continue to perform in addition to my new duties on Flexible Packaging.

Additionally, we’ve expanded the editorial staff and hired a senior editor. Mary Gustafson most recently was associate editor on a sister publication, New Products Magazine, writing about (and sometimes critiquing) new food and beverage products and packages. She comes fresh to the Flexible Packaging industry with an eagerness to learn, a sharp eye and a keen intellect. We’ve started to immerse ourselves in your world of flexible packaging, like foreigners trying to quickly learn a new language and culture. So far, we’ve visited a couple plants and signed up for a Radtech conference. We’ve strained our eyes reading up on trends and technologies in the industry and risked developing carpal tunnel syndrome from all the surfing we’ve done on industry websites.

Although I’ve never been bored during my two-plus decades in the packaging media, I must admit that, with this new challenge, I’m feeling something akin to an adrenaline surge. How invigorating! Mary and I both welcome the opportunity to meet you—in person, over the phone or through e-mail contact. When you see us at a trade show, conference or some other industry event, please stop us to say “Hello. My name is…”

Lisa McTigue Pierce, Editorial Director
piercel@bnpmedia.com