Q&A: TLMI president Mark Tibbetts

Labels & Labeling (L&L): Please describe your role as TLMI’s new president. How do you view the presidency, and what are your responsibilities?

Mark Tibbetts (MT): I’d offer that I wear two hats at TLMI. A big part of my job is to run the business of TLMI and to manage the operations of the association. The second part of my job is focusing the association’s work on providing value to its members. In the most basic sense I think my primary job is to grow and protect the industry.

L&L: Please talk about your move to the association. Where were you working prior? What attracted you to TLMI and the label industry?

MT: Previously I was the executive director of the Thermostat Recycling Corporation, a position that I held for nearly eight years. There were a number of things that made TLMI attractive. One of the biggest selling points was how the search committee interacted. They were engaged and excited about TLMI and the industry. My first six months have confirmed that. TLMI has an amazing level of member engagement and it’s one of the association’s greatest strengths.

L&L: What is the first order of business under your leadership?

MT: Being new to the industry I have a lot of learning to do to better understand TLMI’s members’ needs and issues affecting their businesses. One of my first projects has been transitioning the office from Massachusetts to Virginia. This is just about complete. TLMI has opened is new office in Alexandria, Virginia, and I have hired two of the three planned staff for the office. We also retained a consultant to assist with developing a new strategic plan, which should be finalized by mid-summer. With that done, my focus will be shift to implementation of the plan.