Malnove is proud to announce Jeff Fife, Ben Houser, and John Stone as the recipients of the 2024 Paul Malnove Award of Excellence, a prestigious honor recognizing individuals who are not only being recognized for their success in the past year but also for their role in shaping the company’s future. Their contributions are critical to Malnove achieving its long-term goals. Unlike the We Are Malnove award, which celebrates those who embody our core values, this distinction honors those who go beyond—demonstrating exceptional leadership, innovation, collaboration, and overall performance.
This award serves as a tribute to the legacy of Paul Malnove, a visionary in our industry and a symbol of manufacturing excellence, perseverance, and leadership. Paul wasn’t just focused on growth—he was driven to challenge the status quo, empower those around him, and take Malnove to new heights, even in the most challenging times. He firmly believed that the strength of a company lies in its people, and he was committed to ensuring that those around him had the opportunity to reach their full potential. He was relentless in his pursuit of excellence, always driving towards a better future for the company and its employees.
Pictured above: Eric Malnove; John Stone, award recipient; Brandan Kitt, CFO; Ben Houser, award recipient; Tom Williams, VP of Manufacturing; Jeff Fife, award recipient; Dale Houck, President; and Scott Jones, EVP of Sales
Jeff Fife – Packaging Innovation and Customer Excellence Jeff Fife, who began his career with Malnove in 1995, has been a driving force in packaging engineering, customer support, and equipment optimization. Over the past year, his impact has been felt across the country as he visited over 38 customer facilities, ensuring seamless substrate transitions, resolving carton challenges, and refining equipment performance.
His deep technical expertise, hands-on approach, and unwavering dedication have earned him the trust of both colleagues and clients. Whether troubleshooting packaging performance, enhancing carton durability, or providing critical on-site support, Jeff’s contributions have strengthened Malnove’s reputation for delivering high-performance solutions. His passion for problem-solving and innovation makes him a deserving recipient of this esteemed award.
Pictured above: Jeff Fife learns that he has been selected as one of the recipients of the Paul Malnove Award of Excellence. Ben Houser – Transforming Supply Chain Operations As Supply Chain Director, Ben Houser has redefined Malnove’s operations, leading transformative initiatives in supplier negotiations, cost savings, and inventory management. His ability to secure mutually beneficial agreements with major suppliers, foster collaborative success, proactively mitigate supply chain risks, and implement advanced forecasting tools has positioned Malnove for long-term success.
Ben’s strategic leadership ensured agility during industry challenges, safeguarding efficiency and financial stability. He has strengthened our supply chain, built a high-performing team, and played a crucial role in our operational success. His focus on driving excellence and building strong supplier relationships exemplifies the spirit of this award.
Pictured above: Recipient Ben Houser thanks the Malnove Leadership Team for the recognition.
John Stone – Driving Estimating Excellence and Business Growth John Stone has been an integral part of Malnove for nearly two decades, excelling in multiple roles before finding his niche in Estimating. In 2024, John played a pivotal role in securing key business wins through refined pricing strategies and process improvements. His leadership has driven impactful initiatives, including ink costing improvements and sheet size reductions, further strengthening Malnove’s competitive edge.
As a mentor and trusted resource, he provides invaluable support to Sales and Customer Success teams, ensuring the company remains agile and strategic in decision-making. John’s commitment to excellence and continuous improvement means that his contributions will continue to benefit Malnove for years to come, embodying the meaning of the Paul Malnove Award of Excellence.
Pictured above: John Stone and the executive team during the receiving of his Paul Malnove Award of Excellence.
A Legacy of Excellence Jeff, Ben, and John have each demonstrated outstanding leadership, innovation, and commitment to Malnove’s success. Their contributions have made a significant impact in the past year and laid the groundwork for the company’s continued growth. Malnove congratulates these exceptional individuals on their well-earned recognition and thanks them for their dedication to excellence.
