Bios

PATRICK M. CULPEPPER

is the founder and president of Progressive Foam Technologies, Inc., an Ohio corporation established in 1992. In this role, he is responsible for managing all aspects of the company with an emphasis on strategic direction, product and process development, marketing and relationship building with key customers and vendors.

Pat has been involved with the foam business since 1973 when he began working at Expanded Plastics, Inc. in Fenton, MI. He has championed the acceptance of expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam as a thermal support for vinyl siding and launched a new brand: The Fullback® Thermal Support System.

Pat is active in trade associations, serving on the Board of Directors of the EPS Molders Association (EPSEMA) and the Vinyl Siding Institute (VSI), and is a member of VISTAGE, an organization that develops business and leadership skills.

Along with wife Robin, Pat leads the activities of the Culpepper Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to meeting the physical, spiritual, and educational needs of people around the world. The Culpepper Foundation is currently engaged in projects in the U.S., Dominican Republic, Kenya, Uganda, China, and the Philippines.


BEN HIGL

has served as the Chief Financial Officer at Progressive Foam Technologies, Inc. since joining the company in early 2005. In addition to handling all accounting and financial aspects of the business, he is also in charge of Human Resources, Information Technology, and Supply Chain Management, including inventory control, purchasing and logistics.

After earning his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Baldwin-Wallace College in 1989, Ben became a certified public accountant in 1991. He brings over 20 years of experience in accounting and financial management to Progressive Foam. Ben’s past work experience includes Senior Auditor at Ernst and Young (1989-1991), Plant Controller, Senior Accountant and Corporate Auditor at Rubbermaid Corporation (1991-1995), Corporate Controller at Alpha Enterprises (1995-1999) and Vice President of Finance at Nexpak (1995-2005).

Ben has been a member of Progressive Foam’s Strategic Planning Team for five years. He is currently a member of the Vistage Key Executive Group as well as the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Ben has been married for 22 years and has three children, ages 20, 17 and 12. He is a member of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church and is heavily involved with coaching young athletes in his community.


JIM MACDONALD

has been with Progressive Foam Technologies, Inc. since 2004. In his current position as Manager of Distributor and Dealer Sales, Jim ensures the successful functioning of all field sales team members and coordination of their activities. He also directly manages the Upper Midwest sales territory.

While attending the University of Notre Dame, Jim earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in 1972. Jim brings valuable knowledge of the building products industry to Progressive Foam, having worked as an employee of our vinyl manufacturer customers for years. His previous work experience includes serving as the Regional Sales Manager for Alside for seven years and the Regional District Sales Manager for Alcoa for six years. He has also gained experience at the dealer level as the Sales Manager for one of the largest home builders in the northern Indiana area.

Jim has been a member of the President’s Advisory Council at Progressive Foam for a year and a half.

Prior to beginning his career, Jim was a member of the United States Navy for six years. He and his wife have been married for 38 years and have a daughter and son, ages 35 and 29, respectively.


SCOTT FOREMAN

is the current Director of Manufacturing at Progressive Foam Technologies, Inc. Since beginning his employment with the company in 2005, he has also gained experience as Plant Manager and Director of Manufacturing Excellence. Scott has been a member of the Strategic Planning Team at Progressive Foam for three years.

Scott studied Biology and Manufacturing Engineering at Wayne College, Akron University and Kent State University. He became a Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt in 2006 through Kent State University, and went on to become a Master Black Belt in 2007.

A valuable asset to the Progressive Foam organization, Scott brings to the table over 29 years of experience in manufacturing and testing building products, with 25 years specifically in the XPS and EPS insulation industries. He has worked as a Water Quality specialist for Medina County, a Chemist’s Assistant at Harwick Chemical Company and occupied multiple positions during his 20 years at UC Industries, including Lab Technician, Quality Control Manager, Research and Development Technician and Plant Superintendant. Scott was also the Plant Manager for Owen’s Corning Cultured Stone from 2001 to 2005.

Outside of the office, Scott has been married for 29 years and has two children, ages 27 and 18. He is a guitarist at his local church and serves as President of Council and Chairman of the New Pastor Search Committee.


TIM HOLT

has been a valued employee of Progressive Foam Technologies, Inc. since 1992. He is currently the Director of Product Development and Innovation, but also oversees all code and regulatory matters and provides technical support for all internal and external stakeholders of the company.

Tim is a certified New Product Development Professional through the Product Development and Management Association. He is also a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt through Kent State University.

During his time at Progressive Foam, Tim has acquired experience in multiple aspects of the EPS manufacturing industry. His roles have included Production Manager, Plant Manager and Product Manager. Tim has also been a member of the Strategic Planning Team at Progressive Foam for over four years.

Being a member of organizations that are influential to the success of Progressive Foam has always been one of Tim’s key objectives. He is currently an active member in the following organizations: the EPS Molders Association (EPSMA), the Vinyl Siding Institute (VSI), the International Code Council (ICC), ASTM International, National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), and Residential Energy Specialists Network (RESNET). His roles in these organizations have included liaison, voting member and primary technical contact, but he has also had direct involvement in the development of ICC codes and ASTM standards.

On a personal note, Tim and his wife have three daughters, ages 26, 25 and 16, and one son, age 22.


JASON CULPEPPER

Director of OEM Sales, joined Progressive Foam Technologies, Inc. as a full time employee in 2005. His current responsibilities include understanding and servicing the needs of the siding manufacturers that utilize Fullback Technology in their finished products and optimizing all market opportunities through those partners. Jason serves as a liaison between Progressive Foam and the OEM’s in terms of marketing, manufacturing, field sales and product development.

Jason earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from Cedarville University, with an emphasis on operations. He has received Voice of the Customer certification from Applied Marketing Science and has also received Sandler Training certification.

During his time at Progressive Foam, Jason has proved to be a multi-faceted contributor, fulfilling roles such as Lamination Department Manager, Product Manager and the Northeast Territory Sales Manager. Jason has been a member of the President’s Advisory Council at Progressive Foam for two and a half years and a member of the Strategic Planning Team for one year. He is also currently a member of the EPS Molders Association (EPSMA).

Jason and his wife have been married for four years, and have two children ages three and one.


RAY KENDALL

is the Director of Business Development at Progressive Foam Technologies, Inc., and has been with the company since 1998. In this role, Ray is responsible for exploring all opportunities for Insulated Siding to secure new business in the field. Current examples of this would be integrating the product into military housing and multi-family units, as well as influencing architectural audiences to specify Insulated Siding in new construction.

Ray received a Bachelors of Science in Business Management from Missouri State University, with minors in both Marketing and History.

His professional experience in the field includes working as Plant Manager for both Leggett and Platt (1978-1984) and Masonite Corporation (1984-1986). Ray has also been the Manufacturing and Materials Manager for Marlite Corporation (1990-1997), and the General Manager for a multi-facility division of Leggett and Platt (1997-1998). Ray has also been a member of the EPS Molders Association (EPSMA) as well as the MTM Engineering Association.

Aside from his employment at Progressive Foam, Ray has been a deacon at Glendale Baptist Church in Springfield, Missouri and First Baptist Church in New Philadelphia, Ohio. He is also on the Board of Directors for Second Chance Enterprises. Ray and his wife have been married for 35 years and have three children.


JAY GENTRY

President of Con-Com-T Incorporated, currently serves as a consultant to Progressive Foam Technologies, Inc. He has been a resource to clients in sales, sales management, marketing, new product introduction, channel management and corporate culture change. Jay has been extensively involved with companies in the building products and home improvement marketplaces, and brings years of industry experience to his clients.

After graduating from UCLA’s School of Business Administration in 1967, Jay went on to serve as a Sales Representative, Sales Manager, and Regional Program Manager for Xerox Corporation. He was also a Custom Sales Representative, Regional Manager, and finally Director of Marketing and Sales for TRATEC, Inc., where he managed sales teams across the United States, Canada and Europe. He then founded Con-Com-T Incorporated in 1980. His clients from the siding products industry include Louisiana Pacific, Associated Materials, Inc., Masco, Lansing Building Products and Window World Incorporated.

In recent years, Jay has become deeply involved in the emerging and rapidly expanding "Home Performance" industry, which is focused on improving the energy efficiency of America’s homes. He currently teaches Marketing, Sales and Business Management for the California Building Performance Contractor’s Association (CBPCA).

Before beginning his professional career, Jay was a flight and academic instructor for five years in the United States Air Force. At the present time he resides in California with his wife of 30 years, and has two children, ages 38 and 26.


BERNIE DEWEES

is the President and founder of BDewees Consulting, LTD. He is currently serving Progressive Foam Technologies, Inc. as a management consultant, with areas of expertise including business coaching, strategic planning, operational improvements, mergers and acquisitions.

While attending the ABB Management School in Brussels, Belgium, Bernie completed the Executive Business Management Program and the Management Certificate Program. He then went on to earn his Executive Masters in Business Administration from The Fuqua School of Business-Duke University.

Bernie’s past work experience includes holding the position of Vice President of Operations at ABB from 1998-2002, as well as President and Founder of 3-D Service from 2002-2007. He was also the President at Magnetech Industrial Services, Inc. for a year before starting BDewees Consulting, LTD.

Bernie is currently a member of the Executive Leadership Council for Junior Achievement in addition to being a volunteer and instructor for the organization. He is a member of the Business Education Advisory Council and a business partner with Kent State Business College. He has been a member of the Vistage organization since 2002.

Aside from his career, Bernie has been married for 25 years and has three children, ages 23, 21 and 18.

Media Contacts

For media inquiries, please contact Lauren Higl at 1 800-860-3626.