irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $574KTRAINING & EDUCATION - THE FLEXO IN EDUCATION PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1993 WITH THE PILOT HIGH SCHOOL IN CHARLOTTE, NC. ORIGINALLY CALLED THE FLEXO IN HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM (FIHS), THE PROGRAM HAS GROWN TO INCLUDE POST-SECONDARY SCHOOLS, AS WELL AS HIGH SCHOOLS. THE PROGRAM WAS THE VISION OF RON AND KATHERINE HARPER, HARPER CORPORATION OF AMERICA, TO FORM A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN EDUCATION AND THE FLEXOGRAPHIC INDUSTRY TO FILL THE NEED FOR TRAINED WORKERS. THE PROGRAM BRINGS TOGETHER THE SUPPORT OF THE INDUSTRY, THE FOUNDATION OF FTA AND SCHOOLS. IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE, SCHOOLS MUST HAVE AN EXISTING PRINTING PROGRAM AND A DESIRE TO EXPAND THEIR CURRICULUM TO INCLUDE FLEXOGRAPHY. THE BENEFITS TO STUDENTS AND THE INDUSTRY ARE NUMEROUS. STUDENTS LEARN MARKETABLE SKILLS SO THE MAY ENTER THE WORKFORCE UPON GRADUATING FROM SCHOOL, WHILE THE INDUSTRY BENEFITS THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF TRAINED AND SKILLED INDIVIDUALS WITH A BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF FLEXO TECHNOLOGY. CURRENTLY THERE ARE 21 HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM MEMBERS AND 52 POST-SECONDARY SCHOOL PROGRAM MEMBERS.
- #2 $1.13MMEETING & EXHIBITS - THE FORUM/INFOFLEX IS A THOUGHT PROVOKING AND ENERGETIC CONFERENCE FOCUSED ON BRINGING VALUE TO EACH AND EVERY ATTENDEE. WE'RE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING KEY TAKE-AWAYS AT EACH AND EVERY SESSION. WE HAVE THE VERY BEST INDUSTRY LEADERS AND SPEAKERS TO HELP US ACHIEVE THESE GOALS. OUR FELLOW FLEXOGRAPHERS BENEFIT FROM THE CONTINUED EDUCATION, DISCUSSIONS OF NEW TECHNICAL ADVANCES AND THE UNIQUE NETWORK OPPORTUNITIES.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Excellence in Flexography Awards
Annual competition recognizing outstanding print quality, design, environmental practices, and technological innovation in the flexographic industry
FLEXO Magazine
Monthly publication featuring technical articles, market reports, and industry trends in flexographic printing
FORUM / INFOFLEX
Annual conference offering technical education, networking, and industry updates for flexographic professionals, featuring expert speakers and exhibitors
Flexo in Education Program
Partners with high schools and post-secondary institutions to expand printing curricula to include flexography, providing students with marketable skills for industry employment
Technical Education Services Team (TEST)
Provides curriculum development, workshops, and web-based training to support education in flexography at secondary and post-secondary levels
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Industry-Specific Student Scholarships and Competitions 1 activity
- Administer scholarship program for industry professionals and studentsOperates the Memorial Scholarship Fund to award scholarships in honor of Bruce W. Gibson, supporting education and professional development in the flexographic printing industry.
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Professional Certification and Continuing Education 1 activity
- Deliver technical education and certification programs for flexographic printing professionalsOffers a range of training programs, including entry-level courses, virtual and in-person workshops, and certification tracks such as the FIRST Certification Program, designed for press operators and non-production personnel in the flexographic printing industry. Programs cover foundational knowledge, process control, ink and anilox management, and emerging technologies.
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Professional Networking Events 1 activity
- Host annual industry conference and networking eventsOrganizes the FORUM and INFOFLEX events to connect professionals in the flexographic printing industry, offering expert-led education, technical updates, networking opportunities, and exposure to emerging technologies.
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Member Business Referral & Discount Programs 1 activity
- Provide member-exclusive discounts through the Wi$e1 programOffers the Wi$e1 Program to member companies and employees, providing savings on office supplies, travel, and other everyday products and services as a membership benefit.
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Career and Technical Education Programs 1 activity
- Support educational institutions with curriculum development and training resourcesPartners with 21 high schools and 52 post-secondary institutions through the Flexo in Education program to integrate flexography into academic curricula. Provides educators with a curriculum guide and refresher courses to prepare students for careers in the printing industry.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Conduct and publish market research and technical studies on printing technologiesProduces comprehensive market reports and research studies on flexographic, gravure, digital, screen, and inkjet printing processes, including market size, forecasts (2020–2030), technological trends, competitive analysis, and the impact of digital printing on packaging and labels.
- Produce and publish technical reference materials and industry standardsDevelops and distributes authoritative publications including the 600-page "Flexography: Principles & Practices 6.0" and the FIRST standards guide (4.0), along with Technical Briefs summarizing research and presentations. These resources provide troubleshooting guidance, specifications, and best practices for the flexographic printing industry.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$2.47M
Contributions & grants$11K0%
Program service revenue$2.07M84%
Investment income$241K10%
Other revenue$150K
expenses
Total expenses$2.87M
Program expenses85%
Admin / overhead15%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$1.25M
Grants paid out$10K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$5.83M
Cash$76K
Investments$5.31M
Liabilities$3.56M
Net assets$2.27M
Liquid reserves22.6 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -2.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 6
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOSEPH TUCCITTO | EDUCATION DI | 35 | $230K |
| JAY KAIBLE | BUSINESS DEV | 20 | $206K |
| ROBERT MORAN | PUBLISHER | 40 | $162K |
| BRAD PARESO | PAST PRESIDE | 20 | $122K |
| MILENA FLORES | ACCOUNTING/H | 30 | $113K |
| NATHAN RIDNOUER | PRESIDENT | 20 | $61K |
board members · 14
- BOB COOMES — BOARD CHAIR-
- CATHERINE HAYNES — BOARD MEMBER
- ERIC FRANK — BOARD MEMBER
- JENNYE SCOTT — BOARD MEMBER
- JOE GENOVA — BOARD MEMBER
- JOEL MAXWELL — BOARD MEMBER
- KEITH NAGLE — TREASURER
- KEVIN KRAUSE — BOARD MEMBER
- KRISTEN SHIELDS — VICE CHAIR
- LAURA WRIGHT — BOARD CHAIR
- MICHELLE LAIRD-WILLIAMS — BOARD MEMBER
- PAUL TEACHOUT — BOARD MEMBER
- SHAWN OETJEN — BOARD MEMBER
- THOMAS DAHBURA — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 14
Who they work with
- BOBST Competence Center Partner — Hosts the _FIRST_ Live press operator certification workshop focused on process control and efficiency.
- BW Converting Packaging Innovation Center Partner — Hosts the _FIRST_ Live press operator certification workshop focused on anilox management.
- Clemson University Partner — Jointly sponsored the Process Color Symposium for Flexo and collaborated on a cover project for FLEXO Magazine.
- FIRST Certification Program Network — Flagship certification program under FTA advancing technical standards in flexography.
- Flexo Quality Consortium Partner — Collaborates on initiatives to improve flexographic printing quality.
- Flint Group Packaging Solutions Partner — Collaborates on the _FIRST_ Live training program with added ink management and matching curriculum.
- Fox Valley Technical College Partner — Co-sponsored multiple programs on process color, press work, and inks.
- Harper Corporation of America Partner — Co-founded the Flexo in Education program with Ron and Katherine Harper to connect schools with the flexographic industry.
- Rochester Institute of Technology Partner — Co-sponsored basic flexography and process color programs.
- Smithers Partner — Collaborates with Smithers on publishing market research reports on printing technologies and markets.
- TLMI LLT Partner — Co-hosts the IRL: Emerging Leaders Meetup with FTA's LIFT at LOUPE.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Government — Partnered in the Design for the Environment Flexographic Printing Partnership and funded a videoconference on cleaner printing practices.
- Wi$e1 Partner — Provides savings on products and services through a partnership program for FTA members.
- Wi$e1 Program Partner — Corporate partner providing exclusive discounts to FTA members on office essentials, travel, and other services.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Peer-Led Knowledge Dissemination and Collaborationmethodology: peer_collaborationBy facilitating peer collaboration, technical dialogue, and knowledge sharing among professionals across the flexographic supply chain, the organization builds collective expertise and advances industry-wide print quality and innovation because shared experience accelerates problem-solving and standardization.
- Standardization for Quality and Workflow Consistencymethodology: standardization_for_quality_controlBy developing and promoting technical standards and standardized communication frameworks, the organization improves consistency, repeatability, and quality in flexographic printing because aligned processes across people, technology, and workflows reduce variation and errors in production.
- Tiered, Experiential Education for Workforce Developmentmethodology: experiential_learningBy delivering tiered, hands-on education that spans foundational to advanced levels and includes non-production personnel, the organization strengthens workforce capability and cross-functional collaboration because accessible, practical training improves skill transfer and operational alignment in real-world printing environments.