Date
October 13-15, 2026
Location
2300 South Ashland Ave
Green Bay, WI 54304
Price
Member: $2,500
Non-Member: $3,250
FIRST Live: Press Operator Certification at the BW Converting Packaging Innovation Center
This October 13-15, FTA will host FIRST Live with an emphasis on Anilox Management—a brand-new, in-person version of FTA’s popular FIRST training program with added anilox maintenance and inventory curriculum. Designed for the Press Operator Certification track, this hands-on workshop brings the online curriculum to life with interactive exercises and real pressroom activities that reinforce key concepts. Led by Kenny Tucker and other industry experts, participants will benefit from expert, live instruction paired with immediate, practical application—ensuring the skills learned are directly transferable to their own press operations. Held in Green Bay, WI at the Packaging Innovation Center, this immersive training experience will not only deepen technical knowledge but also sharpen problem-solving skills for achieving consistent, high-quality print results.
Speakers
Kenny Tucker
Kenny serves as the Director of Technical Education at the Flexographic Technical Association. Previously, he held the position of Assistant Director at Clemson University's Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics. A 2004 graduate of Clemson University with a bachelor's degree in Graphic Communications, Kenny began his career at Sealed Air Corporation, where he worked across various roles, including prepress, color management, inkjet and remote proofing, workflow automation, expanded gamut printing, press characterizations, and managing graphic technologies. He later joined Anderson & Vreeland as a Technology Specialist, focusing on the installation of plate-making equipment, RIP software, and inkjet proofing solutions. Before working for Clemson, Kenny worked as Production Manager at Frontier Label, now Sttark Labels, overseeing inventory procurement, label production, project management, and maintenance operations. In 2019, he returned to Clemson University, coordinating industry-focused projects, seminars, research initiatives, and training workshops. In his free time, Kenny enjoys fishing, camping, and spending quality time with his family.
Rodney Pennings
Rodney Pennings serves as the Strategic Accounts & Technical Sales Leader - Americas at BW Converting, where he leads sales and service initiatives for the company’s printing, bag converting, and mail industry technologies. Based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Rodney brings more than three decades of experience in the converting and printing industry, combining deep technical expertise with a strong customer-focused approach. Throughout his tenure, Rodneyhas held a variety of leadership positions, including Controls Engineer, Engineering Leader, Value Stream Leader, and Sales Director. His broad industry knowledge and hands-on experience enable him to help converters improve operational efficiency, quality, sustainability, and overall production performance. Rodney is also a strong advocate for industry education and innovation. He plays an active role in advancing customer training, technology demonstrations, and collaborative initiatives through BW Converting’s Packaging Innovation Center, helping converters evaluate emerging technologies and optimize flexible packaging workflows. His commitment to practical problem-solving and customer success has made him a trusted resource within the global packaging and converting community.
Richard Hernandez
Richard Hernandez brings more than 33 years of experience in the printing industry, including six years in offset printing and over 27 years in flexography. He has worked extensively with Webtron, Nilpeter, Comco, Mark Andy, A.B. Dick, and Heidelberg presses. He began his flexographic career at Los Angeles Label and later advanced into production lead and supervisory roles at The Label Company and Adcraft Label in Southern California. Before joining Harper Corporation, Richard served as Print Manager at Precision Label, where he strengthened his expertise in color management, team training, mentoring, and technical troubleshooting. He also collaborated closely with R&D and Product Development teams, contributing to innovations that positioned the company at the forefront of industry trends.
