NEW EXECUTIVES - At the Helm

Kocher, 45, joined MPI in 1981 after graduating from Youngstown State University with a double major in computer science and accounting. The Alliance, OH, native was MPI's first computer programmer before moving on to serve as controller, treasurer and vice president of finance.

The company, which does 90 percent of its business producing labels, tags and flexible packaging, had minimal growth this year, Kocher reports, in part because of the transition at the top.