Paul Sharkey began his career in flexographic printing in 1976 when he joined Harper Corporation of America as VP Sales. For the next 19 years he was at the forefront of many of the technical advancements to flexo, including the development of laser engraved anilox and high line count printing plates – key elements that today allow flexo to compete with other print methods based on print quality and price. In these years he had the opportunity to work with major printing and packaging companies to help them to improve their process. In 1994 Mr. Sharkey discovered a different type of doctor blade material available in Europe that was not yet available to printers in North America. This blade was less wearing and damaging to an anilox roll – and wore more evenly along its edge allowing for better ink metering. In 1995, Mr. Sharkey contacted the blade’s manufacturer, SWEDEV AB in Sweden and secured the distribution rights for the SWEDCUT® brand in North America resulting in the formation of FLXON Inc.
Today, FLXON Inc. is a partner to many leading flexographic and rotogravure pressrooms in Canada, the US, Mexico, the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean basin. Under Mr. Sharkey’s leadership, the company has been able to build a team of talented technically knowledgeable professionals who assist pressrooms to gain their competitive advantage by driving waste out of their process.
FLXON’S approach is consultative; beginning by identifying waste reducing opportunities and assisting with operator sustainability training.
Ryan Sharkey
VP Business Development
Office (800)756-6474 ext. 105
Email rsharkey@flxon.com
Ryan joined FLXON in 2009 with a Chemical Engineering Degree and 5 years of experience in the Pulp and Paper industry with a focus on process control and process improvement. He directs the daily management of FLXON’s product development, customer service, and business development departments – serving FLXON’s operations in the US, Canada, and Mexico/Latin America.
Carrie Schmidt
VP Operations
Office (800)756-6474 ext. 112
Email cschmidt@flxon.com
Carrie joined FLXON in 2018 after 11 years in the consumer packaging segment of CCL Industries. She brings a highly focused customer orientation to FLXON’s Operating Systems including Customer and Sales Service, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Quality Assurance, and Continuous Improvement Management. She directs the daily operations of FLXON and is part of the firm’s management team.
Derek Parker
VP/Area Business Manager
Office (800)756-6474 ext. 109
Email dparker@flxon.com
Region: US – Canadian West
Derek joined FLXON in 2001 experienced in corporate accounting and flexographic market development focused on new customer-driven value added opportunities. He has been with FLXON for over 15 years and brings his expertise in pressroom improvement to our customers in the US – Canadian West.
Jason Wilhelm
Area Business Manager
Office (800)756-6474 ext. 116
Email jwilhelm@flxon.com
Region: US – Northeast / CANADA: Quebec, Onatario
Jason joined FLXON in 2015 with over 12 years experience of hands-on, day-to-day, pressroom operations experience that included the industry segments of narrow web flexographic and rotogravure presses. He brings his wide-ranging expert insight to our customers in the US – Northeast, Quebec, and Canada.
John Littlefield
Area Business Manager
Office (800)756-6474 ext. 107
Email jlittlefield@flxon.com
Region: US – Southeast
John joined FLXON in 2017 with over 20 years of industry specific experience in flexo pressroom operations in the Southeast with a focused commitment to to help pressrooms drive out waste. He brings a working pressroom knowledge and hands-on doctor blade expertise to FLXON customers in the Southeast.
Efrain Martinez
Area Business Manager
Office (800)756-6474 ext. 108
Mobile MX 55 2723 6119
Email emartinez@flxon.com
Region: Mexico/Latin Amerinca
Efrain joined FLXON in 2013 with 10+ years in customer relations, marketing, and sales while creating added-value initiatives. He oversees FLXON’s business development and customer support in Mexico and Latin America. Habla español.
Steve Boettcher
Technical Services Manager
Office (800)756-6474 ext. 103
Email sboettcher@flxon.com
Steve joined FLXON in 2004 after spending 18 years working with major flexible packaging printers in the Midwest. He oversees FLXON’s product development and assists with business development. Steve also manages FLXON’s consultation program which regularly performs consulting services, operator trainings, pressroom audits, blade trials, and opportunities assessments.
Isabel Almeida
Specialist, Customer Satisfaction
Office (800)756-6474
Email ialmeida@flxon.com
Isabel joined FLXON in 2014 with more than 12 years of customer service experience assisting the operations of large consumer brands in Mexico. She provides service and support to FLXON’s customers in Mexico and Latin America. Habla español.
Russell Lowery
Specialist, Customer Satisfaction
Office (800)756-6474
Email rlowery@flxon.com
Russell joined FLXON in 2016 with more than 29 years of customer service experience in the private business sector. He supports the company’s business development and customer service departments for FLXON’s North American customers.
Lance Pretorius
Corporate Business Manager
Office (800)756-6474 ext. 102
Email lpretorius@flxon.com
Lance joined FLXON in 2014 with extensive experience in Accounting, Finance and Business Management with an emphasis on detailed organizational development, process improvement, and corporate project management. He manages FLXON’s accounting department and day-to-day operations.
Minouche Owen
Financial Services AR/AP
Office (800)756-6474 ext. 110
Email mpearson@flxon.com
Minouche joined FLXON in 2013 with years of experience in Accounting and International Finance. She oversees FLXON’s accounting department. Parle Français.
Olma Echeverri
International Logistics and Support Services
Office (800)756-6474 ext. 100
Email oecheverri@flxon.com
Olma joined FLXON in 2005 with more than 15 years of experience in International Business and Transportation Logistics. She oversees the company’s day-to-day supply-chain and international logistics for markets in the United States and Latin America. Habla español.
Walter Hawkins
Marketing and Communications
Office (800)756-6474
Email whawkins@flxon.com
Walter Joined FLXON in 2014 with more than 10 years of experience in sales/marketing management and communications for national and international brands. He manages the company’s marketing, and customer communications initiatives.
Pam Boettcher
Specialist, Technical Services and Sales
Office (800)756-6474 ext. 115
Email pboettcher@flxon.com
Pam joined FLXON in 2011 after spending over 20 years in various production roles for top flexographic and rotogravure pressrooms in the Midwest. She assists in the management of FLXON’s Midwest Distribution Center based in Appleton, Wisconsin. She also supports our technical services, pressroom product development, and customer service teams.