Label Printing Industries of America (LPIA), a special interest group of Printing Industries of America, is pleased to announce that Tonya Kowa-Morelli, Huston Patterson Corporation is the recipient of the 2012 LPIA Emerging Leader Award. She was recognized and honored during the LPIA Innovation Conference, November 7-9, 2012, at the Loews Coronado Bay Resort in Coronado, California (San Diego).

"I am honored to have been nominated and awarded the 2012 LPIA Emerging Leader Award. I have been fortunate to have many fantastic mentors, not only at Huston Patterson but throughout the packaging industry and I would not be in this position without their support and guidance. It is an extraordinary compliment to have been nominated by my peers for such a prestigious award and it is very humbling to have been chosen by the committee to receive the inaugural Emerging Leader Award."

Tonya Kowa-Morelli serves as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Huston Patterson and Sigma Graphics, as well as President for Experience Print Solutions. Huston Patterson (HP) is the one of the oldest package printing companies in North America, serving the large format print industry since 1895. Tonya's grandfather, Robert Kowa, purchased Huston Patterson in 1961 and the company is currently owned and operated by Tonya's father, Thomas Kowa. Tonya began her career in the printing industry in 2004 when she joined the family business.

Tonya graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts with Communications major. Following graduation Tonya worked for AFLAC as a sales associate and quickly advanced to a management role. Prior to leaving AFLAC in 2004, Tonya was a district sales coordinator for the Chicago region.

In 2004 Tonya joined HP as a client services manager. What was initially a sales job quickly became a passion for the printing industry. Under Tonya's leadership, numerous changes have occurred at HP and SG. Since Tonya's appointment as vice president of sales, the company has seen a 39% growth in sales, despite the hard economic times our country has faced. She has played an intricate role developing, marketing and implementing the HPx Program (Huston Patterson Experience). The idea behind HPx is to insure HP and SG exceed client expectations every time.

In early 2012 Tonya formed a minority owned corporation called Experience Print Solutions (EPS). This private company serves as a print broker for the packaging industry.

Additionally, Tonya believes in and actively supports many philanthropic organizations. She has served on the board of directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters, United Way, and Old Kings Orchard in Decatur, Illinois, and is currently active with Old Kings Orchard and the Patrick Grange ALS board.

The LPIA Emerging Leader Award recognizes an exceptional young professional of merit and accomplishment. An emerging leader is an individual who has fewer than 10 years of experience in the field and has already made significant contributions to the organization and/or to the profession and have demonstrated the potential for leadership and continuing service.

For more information about LPIA or the LPIA Emerging Leader Award, please contact Laurie Reynolds at 412-259-1802 or via email at [email protected]