Deep Experience – High Quality

The senior leadership team of BPI Packaging has deep experience in the chemicals industry and in operations that combines to ensure high quality products and service to all our customers.

 

Brad Ward
Chief Executive Officer

Brad Ward serves as CEO and is responsible for all strategic, operational, and financial decisions for the company. Mr. Ward joined BPI as a Project Manager in November 2016, later serving as Director of Operations and then General Manager with full P&L responsibility at the Memphis facility. In 2018 Mr. Ward was promoted to Vice President and Chief Operator with responsibility for all BPI manufacturing operations, supply chain and account management.

Mr. Ward has over 30 years of experience in the field of blending, filling, and contract packaging of consumer products for a variety of end markets. Mr. Ward began his career at W.M. Barr Corporation, which spanned several roles over 23 years. Mr. Ward gained extensive direct experience in batching, line operations, and line management, last serving as Senior Director of Operations, responsible for all manufacturing operations across multiple manufacturing sites.

Robert Nelson
Chief Financial Officer

Rob Nelson serves as CFO and is responsible for the Finance, IT and HR functions. Rob started with BPI in April of 2022 as VP of Finance and was promoted to CFO in May of 2023. Prior to joining BPI, Rob worked in Finance management for 17 years at WM Barr, a chemical blending & manufacturing company. He has over 25 years of Finance experience related to manufacturing, supply chain and distribution and in implementing systems and procedures used to support these areas.

Rob has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Union University, Jackson, TN.

Bradford Sims
Vice President of Operations

Bradford Sims serves as Vice President of Operations and is responsible for operations at all BPI manufacturing facilities. Mr. Sims joined BPI in September 2021 as the Plant Manager for the Memphis location, where he was as was responsible for the effective operation, performance of the manufacturing facility and management of its employees.
Mr. Sims began his career leading shipboard engineering departments as a Surface Warfare Officer in the U. S. Navy. After completing his service obligation, he began a career in consumer product manufacturing with The Hershey Company.

During his 14-year career with The Hershey Company, Mr. Sims held various plant leadership roles developing extensive experience in maintenance programs, LEAN manufacturing, product quality, & team development. He last served as Business Unit Leader, responsible for manufacturing operations for a $230MM confectionary business unit.

Mr. Sims received a Bachelor of Political Science from the University of Mississippi.

David Adams
Director of Supply Chain

David Adams joined BPI in August 2021 and serves as Director of Supply Chain, with responsibility for vendor management, purchasing strategy, and raw material inventory levels across both BPI facilities. Prior to BPI, Mr. Adams spent nearly 11 years in various Supply Chain and Logistics roles at International Paper, a Fortune 200 company in the Paper and Corrugated Packaging industry. His roles spanned multiple business sectors and included experience in mill production scheduling, inventory management, and most recently, freight sourcing, where he negotiated and managed large scale dedicated trucking agreements for 30+ IP production facilities.

Mr. Adams received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, followed by a Master of Business Administration in Project Management, both from Mississippi State University.

Suzanne Welshans
Controller

Suzanne joined BPI Packaging, LLC in April 2024, bringing nearly 30 years of experience in finance, including her work in the global biotech sector. At BPI, Suzanne oversees financial operations, reporting, compliance, and process improvements to ensure the company’s financial health and growth.

She holds a CPA certification and has earned various software certifications. Suzanne also serves on the board of YX Gives, a charitable organization supporting initiatives locally, nationally, and internationally.

Suzanne holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Economics from the University of North Alabama.

Bob Schefke
Getwell Plant Manager

Bob Schefke serves as the Plant Manager for the Getwell production site where he is responsible for the overall operations, performance, and management of the team. Mr. Schefke joined BPI in April of 2024. Prior to joining the BPI team, Mr. Schefke served as a Business Unit Leader of a 230MM confectionary business unit at the Hershey Company.

Mr. Schefke brings with him over 30 years of experience in multiple manufacturing environments and roles. Mr. Schefke has extensive experience in maintenance systems, contract packaging, liquid fill, aerosol manufacturing, Six Sigma, TPM, TPS, lean manufacturing, team & talent development, automotive manufacturing (high-speed stamping, robotic welding, and electrocoat / painting processes), continuous improvement, and operational management.

Mr. Schefke received a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Phoenix.

Stephen Davis
Olive Branch Plant Manager

Stephen Davis serves as Plant Manager for the Olive Branch facility where he is responsible for the effective operation, performance of the manufacturing facility and management of its employees. Mr. Davis joined BPI in June 2022 as the corporate engineer at all BPI facilities. Mr. Davis was promoted to Maintenance Manager in November of 2022 and then Batching and Maintenance Manager in May of 2023, before taking over as Plant Manager, in May of 2024, at the Olive Branch Facility.

Prior to BPI, Mr. Davis has 10+ years in Reliability and Manufacturing engineering at Akebono and WM Barr gaining direct experience in project management, lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, Reliability Engineering, Machining, Plating, Assembly and Blend/Fill/Pack equipment and processes.

Mr. Davis received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Reliability and Maintainability from the University of Tennessee.

We ensure high quality products and service to all our customers.
We highly value Client Confidentiality
We treat your formulations as the prized intellectual property that they are.