Amy Stack was introduced to the plastics industry 18 years ago at Scapa North America Inc., a manufacturer of bonding products and adhesive components for the health care and industrial markets.
She moved upstream in the supply chain to further her knowledge in the film manufacturing space. She has worked in the adhesive coating, printing and converting markets "and was excited to expand my knowledge in blown and cast film technologies."
Stack is the director of health care sales for plastic film packaging maker Charter Next Generation Inc. in Turner Falls, Mass. Job responsibilities include sales, product development and technical support for the key medical device, pharmaceutical and converter customers worldwide.
She has been promoted "from regional sales roles into director roles at various companies due to new business growth, market knowledge and relationship building," she said.
Stack has received several awards throughout her career, from Top New Performer and Top New Business and Growth to Supplier of the Year and the President's Award. She said receiving the President's Award for growing business more than $4.5 million in one year has been her greatest professional achievement.
She participates in Women in Manufacturing, UNITED as co-chair for CNG and Southwick Recreation Center Sports as a coach. She previously has served as a school board member.
"I am a co-chair for CNG's first Employee Resource Group," Stack said. "I worked to establish a name, logo, mission statement and monthly events geared towards supporting the growth of women in manufacturing at CNG."
Stack received her bachelor's degree in business management with a concentration on marketing from Westfield State University and master's degree in communications and information management from Bay Path University, both in Massachusetts. She has also taken Introduction to Corporate Finance with the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
"I used to focus on titles I wanted to earn in each 10-year time span. For instance, 'I will be a director in my 30s and VP in my 40s,'" Stack said. "Now, I focus less on job titles and more on what value I can offer organizations and align myself accordingly."
Q: What has been the biggest impact or challenge on your career from the coronavirus pandemic?
Stack: I was able to secure multiple sterile barrier packaging opportunities globally for COVID test kits and COVID swabs.
Q: What has been the most unexpected thing you learned from the pandemic?
Stack: Being flexible and adapting to the ever-changing educational environment for my two young children. I have learned a lot of mental resilience from them.
Q: What is the best advice you have ever received?
Stack: Speak up and be confident. Even if you are not a subject matter expert, you are included in discussions for a reason. Express your opinions.