Industry veterans Ron Deegan and Alex Folloso of INX International Ink Co. were celebrated with service and technical awards when the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers (NAPIM) held their annual Awards dinner at the Omni Charlotte Hotel in Charlotte, NC on September 8, 2025.

Deegan was one of four people to receive the Printing Ink Pioneer award, which recognizes individuals for their technical contribution and true service to the industry. Folloso accepted his Technical Service award for making contributions to the science of printing ink formulation, manufacture or application. Both were presented their awards by Bryce Kristo, INX President and CEO who was appointed as NAPIM’s President earlier this year.

Deegan is INX’s Senior Vice President of Sales for North America. Based in Toronto, he began his printing industry career 33 years ago at Kroma Corp. International, which later was acquired by SICPA. He joined INX in 2003 and worked in various Sales and Operations roles before becoming Vice President of Sales & Operations for Canada. He later was promoted to Vice President of Sales for the North America Liquid Ink Division and has served in his present position since 2019.

Over the course of his career, one of Deegan’s major contributions to the industry is his ability to understand the needs of stakeholders such as converters, brand owners, ink formulators, color and press side experts, and others. Combined with his technical and collaborative skills to deliver solutions to the market, he has helped bring improvements in product performance and sustainability, applications, color management, and more that helped raise industry standards. 

“This industry has been my life’s work since I was 22 years old. I never expected this recognition but I appreciate it,” said Deegan. “I know many deserving people in our industry who have received this award. I am humbled, grateful, and surprised to win the Printing Ink Pioneer award, and I was honored to receive it from Bryce Kristo, someone who I have the greatest respect for.”

Folloso is the Vice President of R&D Metal Decorating Technology, a position he was promoted to in 2024. He started his career at INX 27 years ago after graduating from college. He began as a summer intern and learned the business at various stages as an R&D chemist, manager, and director. Over the years he has led teams in the improvement of ink technology for 2-piece and 3-piece metal decorating, 3-piece metal and UV, and rigid container inks.

Folloso and his teams have continually designed products that improve consumer safety and increase customer productivity through quality. Some advancements they developed include higher BRC content products, a novel catalytic approach, UV/LED products for rigid container food, and numerous technology enhancements for the field of print. This list of achievements has directly impacted the marked visual improvements of printed cans, and specialty inks and coatings which enhance both the visual appeal and tactile feel.

“Coming from a technical background and receiving the Major Technical Accomplishments in the science of printing ink from NAPIM is an honor I never expected,” remarked Folloso, who acknowledged and thanked his team for all their support and hard work “Without them, I would not have been considered for this award. Working at INX and for the metal division has been full of success and challenges. The people here and in the ink industry, both past and present, have become my second family over the years.”