GPI Team

Scott DeFife has served as the president of the Glass Packaging Institute since 2020.  He previously served as the Vice President of Government Affairs at the Plastics Industry Association, the Executive Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs for the National Restaurant Association, as well as in senior roles with the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association and the American Public Power Association.

For 12 years, Scott worked in the House of Representatives Congressional Leadership for House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and for Members of the Energy and Commerce Committee, as well as for the State of Texas under Governor Ann Richards and the National Conference of State Legislatures. His experience at multiple levels of government and across several different industries and materials gives him a broad policy and systems perspective to support national recycling infrastructure and education.

Scott also serves as the President of the Glass Recycling Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization created to help fill gaps in glass recycling efforts by providing matching grants for equipment that support community projects and the environment.

Rebecca Thomas holds an Honors Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics and the Public from Xavier University, where she graduated in May of 2024. During her time at Xavier, she was Vice President of the Student Government Association, a founding member of the Coalition United for Reproductive Awareness, and an active participant in the student planning committee for Laudato Si'.

Her prior work experience includes internships with the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio and OH-2 House Representative’s District Office, and an administrative clerkship with Blank Rome in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Now based in Washington, DC, Rebecca joined GPI to help improve the glass recycling system through policy advocacy across North America.

Shannon Sweeney supports the marketing team with content creation, campaign planning, and outreach strategies. Shannon was previously an intern with GPI for a year, gaining valuable experience in the glass packaging industry. 

In May of 2024 Shannon graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and International Business with a minor in Sustainability Studies from the University of Maryland, where she also led reuse and recycling initiatives under the university's Resident Life program.  She was also​ a Smith Strategic Design Fellow​s​ program member with the School of Business, where she worked with nonprofit organizations on large-scale branding projects and pitched in marketing case competitions.