Meet the Sustainability Committee

Rich Thompson serves as CEO for North America at Aeoon Technologies, leading high-volume direct-to-garment digital textile printing growth across the region. Drawing on thirty years of executive leadership, he drives market expansion, sales operations, and supply chain strategies to deliver cutting-edge industrial DTG printing solutions for industrial conversion clients.

Charlie Castillo is a procurement, operations, and sustainability professional with more than 35 years of experience helping organizations improve efficiency, strengthen supplier relationships, manage costs, and develop practical business solutions.

At ARC, (www.e-arc.com) Charlie’s work increasingly focuses on sustainability and its growing role in the future of the printing and graphics industry. Drawing on decades of experience in procurement, operations, logistics, and vendor management, he brings a practical, business-focused perspective to sustainability one that looks beyond environmental goals to consider supply chains, materials, transportation, sourcing, cost, efficiency, and long-term business value.

Charlie believes sustainability is becoming an increasingly important component of how companies compete, respond to customer expectations, and successfully pursue RFPs and new business opportunities. His approach is centered on finding realistic opportunities to incorporate sustainable practices into everyday procurement and operational decisions while maintaining quality, service, and financial responsibility.

He works closely with suppliers, manufacturers, and internal teams to explore more sustainable products and materials, evaluate sourcing alternatives, improve supply-chain efficiency, and identify opportunities to reduce waste and environmental impact. Charlie also serves as a Sustainability Advisory Board Member with Printing United Alliance, contributing his real-world procurement and operational experience to discussions about sustainability and its evolving role within the printing and graphics industry.

Lynn Leppo is a Product Segment Manager for Digital Media Americas at Felix Schoeller North America. A certified G7 Expert and Color Management Professional, she is a subject matter expert in digital proofing and substrates. Lynn often speaks publicly on print applications; writes industry-focused solutions articles; and more recently, supports photo labs transitioning from silver halide to digital and HSIJ-printed output.

Jennifer Roy-Asare is the Lead Environment & Sustainability Specialist at VistaPrint’s North American manufacturing facilities. Her work focuses on carbon emissions reduction, responsible forestry, sustainable packaging, and navigating Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) compliance. Jennifer is passionate about empowering the printing industry to adopt more sustainable practices through stakeholder collaboration and creative thinking.

Richard has 27 years of experience in the sign industry; he had the unique opportunity to see this business from every angle and every level. What began as an entry-level production job has evolved into a lifelong passion and career dedicated to helping businesses bring their brands to life through creative, effective signage. Richard works for AlphaGraphics as a signage specialist, SME and trainer.

Aaron Montgomery is a business facilitator and author of The FUNdamentals of Business Success and The Gratitude Shift: A Simple Path to Find More Peace and Joy. With nearly 30 years of experience guiding small businesses, Aaron’s mission is to help people fall back in love with what they get to do each day.

Reid is a 33-year Graphics Professional spanning many print specialties. In 2018, Reid joined SuperGraphics as President, where he drew on his passion for sustainability to introduce EcoFormat®. Ecoformat® is SuperGraphics’s commitment to educating and promoting the demand for sustainable print materials, services, and supply chain from sourcing to disposition.

James has 40 years of experience in the printing industry, he has been a pioneer in sustainable innovation. From screen printing to the rise of large-format digital printing in the 1990s and the founding of Xanita in 2008, James has consistently driven eco-conscious solutions.

Xanita board, the company's flagship product, is a lightweight, recyclable, and biodegradable engineered fibreboard. It is used across a wide range of applications, including retail POP displays, tradeshow and event booths, shopfitting, VMSD, and signage. Xanita board, paired with advanced digital printing technologies, has unlocked new possibilities in these sectors, offering sustainable alternatives without compromising on performance or creativity.

Based in Cape Town, South Africa, Xanita supports clients in over 30 countries, delivering innovative, eco-friendly solutions for a range of industries. By championing the global shift toward reducing landfill waste, James and his team continue to drive the adoption of biodegradable print substrates, reinforcing Xanita's position as a leader in sustainable printing.

Elissa Decker has a Bachelor of Science in Textile Design from the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science (now Thomas Jefferson University). She brings years of textile experience to the Sustainability Advisory Board and has a strong understanding of all textile processes from yarn manufacturing and fabric construction, to dyeing and finishing, to testing and analysis.

She began work at Moss in 2008 as part of the Research and Development team. She is now a Certified Supply Chain Professional through ASCM and leads Global Procurement from Moss headquarters in Chicago, USA.

Dean has 35 plus years of experience as an Executive Manager of many different Pre-Press and Printing operations, including Litho, Large Format Digital, Screen Printing and Flexography, in the POS/POP and Packaging industry, serving many Fortune 500 brands. His expertise in strategic planning, development of operational strategies and new business development makes him a valuable asset and leader in the industry.

Dean is also an active participant in the industry through his involvement with various organizations that are responsible for providing leadership and direction to the graphic arts industry. Currently he participates with Industry manufacturers in a Customer Advisory Board role with both HP and EFI, which provides direction for future technological advances for the digital print industry.

Brian Ebenger is the Vice President of Business Development for XCEL with over 20 years in the print industry. Brian has a background in manufacturing, converting and distribution of wide format graphics flexible medias, rigid board and fixtures/displays. This includes a variety of products to best support the retail, exhibit and special event along with other unique projects. XCEL is a manufacturer/convertor of flexible medias and SEG non-lit, backlit and specialty framing based out of Champlin, MN. XCEL’s portfolio also includes a series of environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional plastic medias and boards.

Birdley James, SGP Chair-Elect/SGP Technical Advisory Committee Chair is a seasoned Print Production and Manufacturing Specialist at Miller Zell with over 30 years of experience. His knowledge base includes large format digital print, screen print, digital routing, die cutting and vinyl plotting.

He holds several certifications which includes Six Sigma and OSHA and is currently Miller Zell’s Environmental Health and Safety Compliance Manager. Birdley is commitment to protecting the environment and serving the sustainability community.

Carla Johanns is the CEO of Simpson Group and B2 Signs & Events, who has a rich history in print manufacturing solutions from the early days of four colour screen print to advancing and leading the rise of one of Canada’s largest wide format printers in Canada. For the last ten years, Carla has been a retail and brand ambassador for greener solutions in visual marketing.