(Newtown, PA; April 16, 2026) Hybrid Software (www.hybridsoftware.com), a leading innovator of packaging design and visualization software, announces that during the FLAG (Flexo Label Advantage Group) 2026 Annual Meeting held March 23-26, Mike Agness received the Brad Brown Strategic Partner Award from FLAG officers John and JC McKay at the annual awards dinner. The Brad Brown Strategic Partner Award is presented annually to the one person who has exemplified commitment, creativity and excellence—three character traits of Brad Brown’s—in their support of FLAG.
An independent company founded by John McKay, FLAG (flexolabeladvantagegroup.com) is a community of small to mid-size label converters that has prided itself on being the only industry group helping independent label converters become more fiscally self-reliant through negotiated savings and rebate programs. They provide access to a valuable eco-system of like-sized and minded label converters, while offering independent label converters benefits similar to what large national converters provide for their facilities with multi-location back up and support. FLAG members have full access to the group’s monthly Lunch & Learn programs, catastrophic backup planning, and FLAG’s Member Connections platform. Members connect on the FLAG forum for help with issues, outsource work, seek equipment feedback, and more.
Mr. Brown was a friend and professional mentor of FLAG’s founder and CEO, John McKay while they worked together at the Pitman Company. “In his successful career, Brad made connections happen. He was one of the key supporters from the beginning, and saw the same vision that my dad had for FLAG,” notes JC McKay, FLAG President. “When Brad passed much too young, it made perfect sense to honor his legacy with an award. It is given every year to the person who works as a close partner to FLAG and truly embodies our Win-Win/Win vision. Mike Agness continues to do exactly that. He is an excellent partner who has been deeply involved in our annual meeting and peer group meetings. He has introduced FLAG to new members and vendor partners and encourages his entire team to do the same. He gets it.”
Agness is the only two-time recipient of this award, as he was also honored in 2023. “I thank FLAG for the honor. It’s particularly gratifying for me because I have a deep personal connection. Brad Brown was a mentor to John McKay while I, myself, worked at Pitman—and with Brad,” comments Agness. “I should also add that this is still a group honor for both me and my associates at Hybrid Software. They provide the support and resources to allow me to assist FLAG with projects like peer groups, annual meetings and Lunch & Learn. We all believe in strong support of the FLAG community and we all like to win!”
