February 10, 2026
“Strategic leadership” was the theme that emerged from ASPI’s outstanding Spring Meeting 2025 meeting, held this past February in Clearwater Beach, FL. From ASPI Award winners to vendor CEOs, the meeting program offered a range of leadership perspectives, networking, and open dialogue about current industry issues. A high member turnout also contributed to the energy and enthusiasm felt throughout the meeting.
ASPI HONORS EDWARDS AND KITCH
The highest honor that ASPI can bestow on an individual, ASPI’s Customer Executive of the Year Award, was presented to Arsen Kitch, president, CEO, and director, Clearwater Paper. He was recognized in part for his outstanding leadership through a critical time for Clearwater.
“Our biggest strategic risk is doing nothing,” Kitch told attendees, as he led them through his strategy development process and outlined how he created value and growth for the company. A lively Q&A session followed Kitch’s presentation.
To receive the ASPI Excellence in Leadership Award, ASPI chose Bill Edwards, senior vice president of pulp, paper, and packaging operations, Domtar. The award recognizes leadership in capital projects, mill transformation, grade changes, mill restructuring, and/or human resource management.
Edwards spoke about the process of growing Domtar into the largest paper producer in America, with many brands now operating under the Domtar brand. As a private company, Edwards said, Domtar “has earned the right to think beyond ‘quarterly dividends.’… Bringing the team together has created a climate of collaboration.”
SAFETY WINS
Two speakers at the Spring Meeting tackled the important issue of workplace safety. First, Justin Barksdale, chief steward at Barksdale Safety Solutions, LLC and Barksdale Leadership Solutions, talked about the role of leadership in safety improvement.
“Everything rises and falls on leadership,” he said. “Leadership is not just a title—leadership is influence.”
Barksdale’s engaging presentation outlined what he called the “Safety Culture Maturity Model.” The key tenets? Trust and communication, he said.
Domtar’s Senior Director, Health & Safety DeWayne Bone kept the safety conversation going. He discussed the company’s safety strategy and its emphasis on “Safety Made Personal.”
The company pairs a focus on risk reduction with standardized and easily accessible tools. It’s also important to “keep developing people at all levels,” says Bone. “Notice I didn’t say training—training is short term, but development is long term. It’s focused on growth over time.”
The Spring Meeting speakers’ roster also included experienced industry leaders Mike Farrell, executive VP, Graphic Packaging International; and Matt Szymanski, VP-Mill Operations for Green Bay Packaging. In addition, outgoing ASPI President David Buchanan, Voith, was honored for his outstanding service to the organization during his tenure.
As always, the 2025 Spring Meeting included time for networking, an ASPI Business Meeting, and a social event to complete the program. Plans are already underway for next year’s event; keep checking aspinet.org for program updates.