AMERIPEN Webinar: Government Affairs Updates - Q1, 2026

Description

Webinar: AMERIPEN Quarterly Government Affairs Update

Friday, March 20, 2026 | 12:30 - 1:45 p.m. ET

AMERIPEN lobbyists Andy Hackman, Edwin Borbon, Gregory Melkonian, and Mark Bescher will present an overview of key legislative activity and policy trends over the past quarter, related to AMERIPEN's focus on packaging and the environment at the state and federal levels. Please join us and extend the invitation to the packaging, policy and sustainability colleagues within your organization!

Investment:

This webinar is free and open exclusively to AMERIPEN members. Please contact Rob Keith about inviting any non-members.

Presenters:

Andy Hackman

Andrew is a registered federal lobbyist who has testified before the U.S. Senate and lobbied in over 25 state capitols. Prior to joining Serlin Haley, he served as vice president of government affairs for the Toy Industry Association, where he oversaw TIA’s advocacy programs at both the state and federal levels. Andrew also has directed the national government affairs program of the Consumer Specialty Products Association. Andrew received a Bachelors of Science in Public Affairs from Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs in Bloomington, Indiana and a Masters of Business Administration from George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Gregory Melkonian

Gregory joined Serlin Haley in 2023 after serving nearly ten years on staff in the California Assembly, including over six years as a policy consultant and parliamentary adviser for the Assembly Republican Caucus. Gregory graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2013, where he majored in political science with a minor in public affairs.  Outside the office, he enjoys traveling, volunteering, and enjoying live music and baseball.

Edwin Borbon

Edwin brings a wealth of experience in California’s legislative landscape, with a career spanning both government service and advocacy. He spent six years in various roles with the California State Assembly, most recently serving as legislative director for Assemblymember Tasha Boerner (D-Encinitas). His career in California began as a scheduler and legislative assistant for multiple assemblymembers; he then worked his way up to key roles both as legislative director and as capitol director. Edwin also worked in legislative advocacy for the Precision Advocacy Group, a Sacramento-based lobbying, public affairs and public relations firm.

Mark Bescher

Mark is the founder of Legacy Public Policy, a packaging consultancy, and former head of U.S. Government Affairs at Mondelez International, where he led policy advocacy with local, state, and federal policymakers in partnership with industry associations.He has held leadership roles across the packaging policy space, including serving on the AMERIPEN Board, the EPR Leadership Forum, and as a founding member of the Circular Action Alliance (CAA), where he also served on the CAA California Board.Earlier in his career, Mark held government relations roles at Unilever, the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, Bombardier, and the National Association of Manufacturers. He holds a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame and an M.Sc. in Public Policy from the University of Oxford.