This year marks a major milestone for Mark Sonderen—50 years of innovation, resilience, and family-driven leadership in the packaging industry. Founded in 1963 by Albin and Mary Sonderen, Sonderen Packaging has grown from humble beginnings into a thriving business now led by its third generation.
In 2014, after 36 years at the helm, Mark Sonderen officially gave the reins to his son, Matt, and daughter, Keva, both of whom now serve as co-owners. Though retired, Mark still holds one share of stock—”just in case a tiebreaker is needed,” he jokes.
“When I took over the company, we had around 20 employees and $2 million in annual sales,” he recalls. “By the time I retired, we had grown to 120 employees and over $20 million in revenue.” That growth was achieved through a deep commitment to quality, innovation, and relationships—values that continue to drive the company today.
Marks journey began early, working around machinery and helping out at the plant from the age of 11. After high school, he attended Gonzaga University, staying close to home, and for Junior year transferred to a Hillsdale College in Michigan for a broader experience.
In 1978, at the age of 26, he took over leadership of the company. Reflecting on the transition, he laughs: “One day I asked my dad for advice on a tough situation, and he just said, ‘That’s your problem, not mine,’ and walked away. At that moment, I wasn’t sure I was ready—but I knew I had to keep moving forward.”
Sonderen Packaging has long specialized in manufacturing paperboard packaging for the food and beverage industry, with longtime partnerships including Beaverton-based Reser’s Fine Foods. Over the years, the customer base expanded to include companies in confections, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and ammunition.
The road wasn’t without its challenges. In 1998, a fire destroyed the original plant on N. Crestline Street. “People asked me why I didn’t just take the insurance money and fold the company,” Mark says. “But we had a good business, and I believed in rebuilding. I was 45 years old. I’d be a bad example for my kids if I retired.”
Support poured in from friendly competitors and suppliers—many attending a trade association meeting in Coeur d’ Alene, ID the night of the fire—who helped keep production going. It took about a year to rebuild, and the business emerged stronger than ever. It took about a year to bring the business back under one roof, he says. Sonderen says a customer reminded him that the company made it through the disaster because of relationships built with customers, suppliers, competitors, and employees. “He said, if any of those are against you, it wasn’t going to work,” he says.
The Great Recession in 2008 brought new pressures, just as the company had invested $3.5 million into new equipment and a 40,000-square-foot expansion. “That downturn hit everyone,” he says. “We experienced a 30% drop. It was a squeeze, but we got through it.”
Today, under the leadership of Matt and Keva, the company is thriving and continuing to evolve. The siblings, now co-owners for about a decade, never felt pressured to join the family business. “It was always our choice,” says Keva. “Our interest grew naturally as we eventually integrated into the business through internships and summer jobs.”
Their father served as a role model, demonstrating how strong relationships and a people-first mindset are just as important as business acumen. “I was a student of how he built relationships. He revealed his human-side and authenticity in every interaction with employees, vendors or in the community, he was truly charismatic and wore his heart on his sleeve.”
The siblings bring complementary strengths to their roles—Matt oversees finance, systems, and equipment purchases, while Keva supports sales efforts, marketing and company culture. “I recognized early on where their aptitudes lay,” their father says. “And they figured it out for themselves, which is exactly what I’d hoped for.”
Though he’s no longer involved in day-to-day operations, he’s proud to see the business flourishing under their leadership. “They don’t ask me for much advice anymore,” he says with a smile. “And that’s a good thing.”
The family remains close, living near each other and spending time with the next generation. “I’m becoming a bleacher grandparent,” he says, happy to support his grandchildren in their activities. He and his wife of 49 years, Valerie, also enjoy year-round trips to their home at Priest Lake, Idaho.
A passionate community leader, Mark has served as president of the local Rotary 21 and the Boy Scouts of America Inland Northwest Council, and has held board roles with regional business associations.
One of Keva’s favorite quotes she’s heard about her father is, “If you’re not having fun with Mark, it’s not his fault.’”
As we celebrate 50 years of Mark Sonderen’s legacy, we honor the values that have carried us through adversity and propelled us into the future—resilience, family, and a commitment to doing the right thing with a grin, and a joke always handy to break the ice.