Avon Resident Makes Connecticut Magazine's Top 40 Under 40

Avon resident Donald R. Droppo wears many hats.

He serves as president and CEO of Curtis Packaging Corporation in Sandy Hook, executive board member and vice-chair of Connecticut Business and Industry Association’s (CBIA) Board of Directors, and is also a member of Avon’s Parks and Recreation Committee and the Republican Town Committe. On top of that, he is the proud father of three young children. 

At 36 years old, Droppo has accomplished a great deal in a short amount of time and recently made Connecticut Magazine’s 40 Under 40 list, which is comprised of 40 Connecticut individuals under 40 years who are on track to be the next generation of business leaders in the state. An article featuring the accolade appeared in the magazine's March 2011 issue.

“It was a tremendous honor to be part of…a group of people…who are really trying to positively impact our overall well being in the state of Connecticut,” Droppo said.

The 40 individuals were either nominated by co-workers, neighbors and family members for example or selected by Connecticut Magazine editors. 

Prior to making the list, Droppo heard that John R. Rathgeber, President and CEO of CBIA, was going to nominate him. 

“He mentioned to me that he thought I would be a great candidate for what I’m doing with our business in the state of Connecticut—how we’ve grown it in a very organic…and environmentally responsible way,” Droppo told Patch. 

Curtis Packaging is a family business; Droppo’s father, Donald Droppo Sr., acquired the business in 1989. 

Droppo joined Curtis Packaging in 2003 as senior vice president of Sales and Marketing. At the beginning of 2010, he was promoted to President and CEO. 

Under his leadership, the company became the first printing and packaging company in North America to be Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified, become 100 percent carbon neutral and manufacture packaging using 100 percent clean renewable energy. Additionally, sales have more than doubled in the last six years. 

“I describe [Curtis Packaging] as two of my favorite brands, which are Patagonia and Aston Martin. I see [the company] as the fusion of Patagonia and Aston Martin because we want to be environmentally sensitive and responsible in every which way in how we handle our manufacturing, but we also want to have exclusivity and the high-end appeal,” Droppo said. 

Droppo’s ultimate goal is to have Curtis Packaging “off-the-grid,” which means the company would no longer have to rely on public utilities like natural gas or electrical power for example.

For the time being, Droppo says Curtis Packaging has “reduced our carbon footprint as best we can.” 

Prior to joining Curtis, Droppo was an assistant vice president at General Reinsurance, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway. He has a bachelor of science degree in marketing and finance from the University of Vermont.

Droppo currently resides in Avon with his wife and their three children.