In recognition for his 30+ years of dedication to improving the steel drum and packaging industry, Howard Skolnik was the recipient of the Morris Hershson Award of Merit at the annual conference of the Reusable Industrial Packaging Association (RIPA). Hosted at the LaJolla Hilton in San Diego, about 200 attendees of the RIPA ceremony listened to presentations given to explain the Hershson legacy, and to honor Howard. The presenters included Paul Rankin, President of RIPA; Peter Mackay, Publisher of Hazardous Cargo Bulletin (UK); W. Dean Ricker, VP Sales, Skolnik Industries; and Richard Rubin, President, Maxi Container, Inc. The Hershson Award is given to one who has made an outstanding long-term contribution to the Association or the industry.
Howard’s formal involvement with RIPA began soon after purchasing Skolnik Drum Corporation from his father and uncle in 1985. He moved quickly into leadership positions within RIPA and has been a member of the Board of Directors for nearly 30 years. He was Chairman of the Steel Drum Product Group for six terms, serves as Chairman of the Public Relations Committee and has been a presenter at numerous domestic and international RIPA conferences. In addition to RIPA, Howard participates in the domestic and international dangerous goods community through his membership to the Council on the Safe Transport of Hazardous Articles (COSTHA) and the Dangerous Goods Advisory Council (DGAC) where he also served on the Board of Directors for more than 25 years. Promoting not only his own company but also the steel drum industry, Howard writes often for several industry magazines including the Hazardous Cargo Bulletin.
Howard attended the ceremony with his life partner, his four children, and a host of friends and family that came to share in the celebration. To quote the ceremony program, “It has been said that Howard looks at the world and sees possibilities, not problems; friends, not competitors. This positive outlook has surely been one factor contributing to his successful business career. But another factor in his ongoing success must surely be his deep belief that success must always include good friends and family.”
To see to the presentations given at the ceremony, click here.