Donald R. Droppo, Jr, Assuming President,

CEO Duties At Curtis Packaging

Newtown-based Curtis Packaging Corporation will be seeing a change in leadership in 2010, although that change will keep the company’s top job in the family. On December 18, Curtis Packaging employees were gathered together in the company’s cafeteria to hear the news that Donald R. Droppo, Jr, will assume the position of president and Chief Executive Officer.

“Curtis has a long history as a family business, which included five generations of the Curtis family and now the second generation of the Droppo family,” said Don Droppo, Sr, the company’s current president and CEO. “I am very proud of Don Jr’s skills and accomplishments, as well as the loyal dedicated men and women of Curtis.”

Donald Droppo, Jr, has previously served as a senior vice president, responsible for marketing, sales, innovation and environmental stewardship. In his new role at Curtis, Mr Droppo will be responsible for all aspects of the company. Prior to joining Curtis Packaging in 2003, the Don Droppo, Jr, held various finance and marketing management positions at General Reinsurance, a Berkshire Hathaway company in Boston. He is a graduate of the University of Vermont and holds degrees in both marketing and finance.

Donald Droppo, Sr, will continue to serve as chairman of the board, after serving as Curtis Packaging’s president and CEO for 20 years.

“Don Jr’s strong executive leadership and personal qualities have been responsible for the vast growth and success of Curtis,” he said. “Don led Curtis in becoming one of North America’s most environmentally sensitive companies, earning many awards and accolades. He also championed the development and branding of proprietary Curtis printing innovations including CurtCHROME, CurtCRYSTAL, CurtCOAT, InvisibleDOT, Piano Black, and SBR.”

The newly appointed Curtis Packaging president has also acquired a strong reputation as a practical ecologist. Largely due to his personal commitment to the environment, Curtis Packaging became the first printing and packaging company to be Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) & Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI) certified, run the entire enterprise on 100 percent renewable energy and to be 100 percent carbon neutral in its production operations.

“Curtis is a terrific company with a rich history of innovation, superior quality, and outstanding talent. I am very honored to have the opportunity to lead and build upon its success,” Mr Droppo, Jr, said. “I am proud of our strong ‘Luxuriously Responsible’ brand positioning in the luxury packaging segment. Often times we describe the inspiration of Curtis as the fusion of Aston Martin and Patagonia.”

Curtis Packaging was founded in Sandy Hook in 1845 and is a state-of-the-art designer and manufacturer of custom folding cartons. To expand the company’s role in environmental leadership, Curtis has also joined the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, which advocates the use of materials and systems that promote economic and environmental health.

Curtis provides packaging and printing services to industries throughout the globe, including cosmetics, health and beauty aids, natural/organic products, liquor/spirits, gourmet confectionery, pharmaceuticals, software packaging and consumer packaged goods. Curtis Packaging is a member of Global PrestigePack an international alliance that provides luxury packaging solutions in North America, Europe and Asia.

Mr Droppo, Jr, and his wife Amy, reside in Connecticut with their three children.