Performance Tapes Leadership Team

Jürgen Walda
Vice President and General Manager of Global Performance Tapes and Performance Tapes Europe

Jürgen Walda is Vice President and General Manager of Global Performance Tapes and Performance Tapes Europe. He joined Avery Dennison in July 2019. In his role, Jürgen leads the strategic development and growth of Avery Dennison’s pressure-sensitive tapes business. As the leader of Performance Tapes Europe, he is responsible for sales, marketing, finance and all core business functions. His appointment strengthens the company’s ability to increase revenues and gain share in the commercial segment, an area where he has extensive experience and deep expertise.

Prior to joining Avery Dennison, Jürgen held several leadership roles in a variety of positions in general management, sales and marketing, M&A and internationalization of businesses, globally. As CEO at Lohmann GmbH & Co KG, Jürgen transformed a product-driven, medium-sized German company into a market-driven global business. Jürgen studied Business Administration at  the University of Nuremberg and Bowling Green State University in the U.S. He is based in Oegstgeest, the Netherlands, and spends much of his business time at Performance Tapes Europe headquarters in Turnhout, Belgium.

Gene Yang
Vice President and General Manager of Performance Tapes Asia and Yongle Tape

Gene Yang was appointed to the position of vice president and general manager of Performance Tapes, Asia and Yongle Tape for Industrial and Healthcare Materials.In his role, Gene is responsible for developing the strategy and driving financial goals and profitable growth, and will accelerate our share position in pressure-sensitive tapes in the region. He will focus on strengthening our partnerships with key customers and expanding our commercial presence. Gene has overall profit and loss responsibility as well as operational oversight for the regional businesses, and globally for Yongle.

Prior to this position, Gene held various leadership roles for 13 years in Avery Dennison Retail Branding and Information Solutions, and two years in the Flint Group where he held the role as president of Asia Pacific. Gene joined Avery Dennison in 2003 in the position of business director and general manager of North China, where he had championed significant growth of important local markets. He was promoted to vice president and general manager for East Asia, and was promoted to vice president and general manager with increasing responsibility for North Asia for the business in the region. Gene rejoined the company in 2017 to lead Performance Tapes Asia Pacific, a high value segment business for the company. Gene holds a Bachelor Degree in Medical Studies from Qingdao Medical College and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Southern California.

Steve Flannery
Vice President and General Manager of Performance Tapes North America

In 2016, Steve Flannery was appointed to the position of vice president and general manager, Performance Tapes North America and Fastener Solutions worldwide. In his role, Steve has profit and loss and operating responsibilities for each of the businesses in their respective regions. He oversees implementation of the company’s mission and strategy for Performance Tapes in North America and directs the regional leadership team. Steve has responsibility for the results and management of the Fastener Solutions business globally.

Since joining Avery Dennison in 1999, Steve has held positions of increasing responsibility in corporate, label and packaging materials, and retail branding and information solutions. His prior position was senior global business director for Avery Dennison Performance Polymers. Steve holds an M.B.A. in corporate entrepreneurship from Babson College and a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He is based in Painesville, Ohio.

Paul Headley
Senior Director Human Resources, Industrial and Healthcare Materials

Paul Headley was appointed to Senior Director of Human Resources for Industrial and Healthcare Materials of Avery Dennison Corporation. In this role, Paul has oversight for all human resource activities for Industrial and Healthcare Materials, wherein his responsibilities extend globally as business partner to its Performance Tapes, Yongle Tape, Fastener Solutions, Vancive Medical Technologies and Performance Polymers business units. In 2014, Paul served as human resources director to Performance Tapes, Performance Polymers, and the global Materials Group finance, IT, legal and marketing functions. 

Prior to joining Avery Dennison in 2010, Paul held various HR positions within the automotive and hospitality industries. Paul holds a B.S. degree in Business Administration from The Ohio State University. He is based in Painesville, Ohio.