trendspotting| AWARDS
Making a Difference
2017 TAPPI/PIMA Awards
JAN BOTTIGLIERI
There may be no feeling more satisfying than knowing our efforts have improved the professional lives of our peers and colleagues. Once again, Paper360° is pleased to showcase members of our industry who have done exactly that.
The individuals featured here include the winners of the TAPPI/PIMA national-level awards—the association’ s highest honors—as well as those receiving awards from several TAPPI Divisions. All of these awards were presented at a gala ceremony during this year’ s PaperCon in Minneapolis. (Other division awards are presented at events and conferences throughout the year.)
Recognizing scientific achievement, exemplary leadership, professional excellence, and service to the industry and community, these awards do more than honor the achievements of those receiving them; they remind us of the qualities that TAPPI members value. They also encourage us to consider those who have made a differ ence in our own pro-fessional lives—and to appreciate those whose efforts continue to strengthen our industry and benefit others. For many TAPPI Awards, nominations are open until August 1. Several national-level awards include generous honorariums funded by private donation. Visit www.tappi.org and choose the “ Get Involved” tab for more information on TAPPI Awards & Honors.
FOR SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENT:
GUNNAR NICHOLSON
GOLD MEDAL AWARD
DR. HONGHI TRAN,
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
Whether mentoring students or publishing critical research, Dr. Honghi Tran’ s passion for knowledge-sharing shines through. His dedication has earned him one of TAPPI’ s highest honors: the 2017 Gunnar Nicholson Gold Medal. Estab-lished in 1928, the GNGM is granted to those who have made preeminent scientific and engineering achievements of proven applied benefit to the world’ s pulp, paper, board, and forest product industries.
Tran is a professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry at the University of Toronto in Canada; he is the university’ s Frank Dottori Chair in Pulp and Paper Engineering and director of its Pulp & Paper Centre. He has been a member of TAPPI since 1980 and a TAPPI Fellow since 2000.
Tran is one of the world’ s leading experts on kraft chemical recovery processes and an authority on recovery boiler plugging and fouling. His research work, publications, and consulting activities have played a major role in advancingrecovery technology and the debottlenecking of pulp mills. Tran served as inaugural editor-in-chief of the Journal of Science and Technology for Forest Products and Processes(J-FOR). He has been an instructor of the TAPPI Kraft Recovery Course since 1986 and has chaired it since 2006. Tran has supervised/co-supervised more than 100 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows and authored/co-authored more than 270 refereed papers; he holds eight patents.
Tran previously received the 2003 TAPPI Research & Development Technical Award and William H. Aiken Prize, the 2006 TAPPI Engineering Beloit Award, the 2013 PAPTAC John S. Bates Gold Medal, the 2014 International Chemical Recovery Conference (ICRC)’ s Lifetime Achievements and Contributions Award, and nearly 20 Best Conference Paper Awards.
He is vitally interested in seeing his research reach application. For instance, Tran’ s research group was responsible for the development of high-intensity sootblowing nozzles that greatly enhance cleaning ability in recovery boilers—technology that is now used in more than 95 percent of recovery boilers around the world.
FOR SERVICE LEADERSHIP:
HERMAN L. JOACHIM
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
TOM RODENCAL,
TOM RODENCAL & ASSOC.
As a volunteer leader, Tom Rodencal has shown a talent for program planning that truly benefits participants and the industry. In recognition of his tireless contributions, Rodencal has been named winner of the Herman L. Joachim Distin-guished Service Award. The HLJDSA was established to recognize an individual for voluntary leadership and support, in-cluding contributions that have significantly and demonstrably advanced the mission and vision of the association.
“ Tom’ s dedication and service to TAPPI have made him an invaluable asset,” said Larry N. Montague, TAPPI president and CEO. “ His contributions to the association have resulted in significant improvements to conferences, divisions, and committees that will last for generations to come.”
Rodencal is president of Tom Rodencal & Associates, an industry consulting firm. He began his participation with TAPPI in 1980 as a speaker at the Papermakers Conference. He has been a part of organizing TAPPI conference committees for more than 20 years and has served as conference chair for several high-level events. In 2001, Rodencal proposed a union between individual conferences that led to the formation of PaperCon, the world’ s largest technical conference for the paper and packaging industry. His idea became reality in 2008, and in that year he was conference chairman.
Rodencal also serves as an historian, and spearheaded the effort to reinstate the TAPPI Information Resource Library, which was officially reestablished in 2016. Among his many prizes and contributions, Rodencal has been awarded the Paper and Board Leadership and Service Award and Oscar May Prize, and the Technical Award and Harris O. Ware Prize. He has been a TAPPI Fellow since 2009 and served as a member of the TAPPI Board of Directors from 2009-2011.
For Local Section Service:
Paul Magnabosco
Outstanding Local
Section Member Award
GLENN HANSON,
INDUSTRIAL KILN & DRYER GROUP
Created to recognize those whose exceptional service has resulted in significant and measurable benefits to TAPPI Local Sections, the Paul W. Magnabosco Outstanding Local Section Member Award recognizes remarkable leadership and service to “ one or more” TAPPI Local Sections. This year’ s recipient, Glenn Hanson, has given new meaning to the phrase “ or more.”
Hanson has been a member of 10 different TAPPI Local Sections since 1997, serving in a number of capacities such as executive member, secretary, treasurer, vice chair, chair, past chair, and Local Section Officers Team. An active mem-bership advocate for more than two decades, Hanson’ s recent leadership of the 2015 Gulf Coast TAPPI meeting drew attendees from the southern US, Washington and Wisconsin, as well as the UK and Australia—the largest number of attendees in several years.
Hanson works in technical sales for the Industrial Kiln & Dryer Group, providing aftermarket services on rotary equipment in pyro and grinding applications across North America. He has worked more than 20 years with a focus on lime recovery kiln systems in kraft pulp mills, is co-holder of a US Patent, and continues R&D work on lime recovery kiln applications.
In addition to his Local Section service, Hanson has developed and presented more than 50 Lime Recovery Kiln Process and Operations Seminars. He has also authored and co-authored numerous papers and presentations for TAPPI technical meetings and conferences, including the International Chemical Recovery Conference. Hanson has been a TAPPI member since 1991
FOR BUSINESS LEADERSHIP:
TAPPI/PIMA
EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
MARK KOWLZAN, PACKAGING CORPORATION OF AMERICA
This honor is presented to senior-level executives in the pulp, paper, or converting industries for excellence in man-agement and outstanding contributions to the industry as a whole. Under the leadership of 2017 Executive of the Year Mark Kowlzan, PCA has grown larger and stronger, noted the 2017 Nominating Committee. The committee also recog-nized PCA’ s valuable support of industry student activities (such as Maine Paper Days and the TAPPI Student Summit), which has increased during Kowlzan’ s time as CEO.
Kowlzan has served as PCA’ s chairman since January 2016, and as chief executive officer and director since July 2010. From 1998-2010, Kowlzan led the company’ s containerboard mill system; from 1996-1998, he served in various senior mill-related operating positions with PCA and Tenneco Packaging, including as manager of the Counce linerboard mill. Prior to joining Tenneco Packaging, Kowlzan spent 15 years at International Paper, where he held a series of op-erational and managerial positions.
Key to PCA’ s recent growth have been the 2013 acquisition of Boise Inc. and the 2016 acquisition of independent corrugated products producer TimBar Corporation; both were successfully accomplished during Kowlzan’ s tenure as CEO.
WELCOME NEW TAPPI FELLOWS
Only a select group of members receive the distinguished title of TAPPI Fellow. The honor is conferred in recognition of meritorious service to the association and the industry. The TAPPI Fellow designation is also conferred upon recipients of the Gunnar Nicholson Gold Medal Award and those who have served on TAPPI’ s Board of Directors upon completion of their term. TAPPI Fellows represent every area of TAPPI and hail from countries around the world, creating a truly global fellowship of men and women whose dedication, professionalism and high personal standards define the best of our industry. Eight new Fellows will join this elite group in 2017:
Brian Brogdon
Future Bridge
Consulting Services
TAPPI Member since 1992
David Clay
Jacobs Engineering
TAPPI Member since 1975
Anthony Johnson
Beca AMEC
TAPPI Member since 1981
Jim Niemiec
Verso
TAPPI Member since 1981
Philip Wells
Wells Enterprises, Inc.
TAPPI Member since 1997
From the TAPPI
Board of Directors:
Pete Augustine
Fabio Perini North America
TAPPI Member since 2013
Paul Durocher
Sappi North America
TAPPI Member since 1982
Chris Krumm
CorrChoice LLC
TAPPI Member since 1990
PIMA MANAGEMENT DIVISION
MILL MANAGER
OF THE YEAR
Scott Grimes,
Graphic Packaging International
After graduating NCSU in 1983 with a BS in pulp and paper science & technology, Grimes began his career at Mead Corp. He managed mills for IP and Smurfit-Stone Container before joining GPI in 2013, where he is now resident managerat the Macon mill. “ I view this as a ‘ team win,’” says Grimes. “…I work for a great company and have an outstanding team supporting me at both the executive and mill levels. I am blessed to be the ‘ head coach’ of the Macon Mill.”
BROOKSHIRE MOORE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR
Forrest Adams,
Graphic Packaging International
Adams took his first post in a paper mill in 1989, for Newark Group, where he served for 15 years in multiple roles. During his career, he progressed from an hourly position to plant manager. Adams is currently the K3 superintendent, and has been with GPI for two years. “ To be recognized by my peers as the best for this year—I feel very grateful and hon-ored,” Adams says.
RAY H. CROSS COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
Sandra Lenz,
Appleton Coated
A graduate of Michigan Technological University, Lenz has worked for Westvaco, Fox Valley Technical College, James River Corporation, and Appleton Coated, where she is now a process engineer. She has been on the Lake States TAPPI & North Central PIMA Board for 27 years. “ It is an honor to be recognized for volunteering,” she says. “ I have enjoyed volunteering at church, in our town, and through youth sports. I have given many handmade papermaking demonstrations to school groups, women’ s groups, and others interested in learning how paper is made.”
PIMA IT
SERVICE AWARD
David Pawelke,
Majiq, Inc.
Pawelke is the vice president of sales at MAJIQ, which provides integrated software solutions solely for the pulp, paper, and nonwovens industries. He has been with the company since 1998. “ I discovered that growing up as a printer’ s son was not just a footnote in my bio—but that paper is part of who I am. I am proud of this award,” says Pawelke.
THOMAS F. SHEERIN, SR. SERVICE AWARD
Doug Sweet,
Doug Sweet & Associates
During a career spanning more than 35 years, Sweet has visited more than 300 paper mills in 12 countries. Since 2001, Sweet has been an independent consultant specializing in paper machine vacuum system optimization and energy reduction; his top 10 energy efficiency projects have a combined annual electrical energy savings of 32,200 megawatt-hours. In 2011 Sweet was appointed as co-chair of Alabama’ s Legislative Subcommittee on Energy Efficiency and Conservation. In 2014 he received the TAPPI Engineering Division Technical Award and Beloit Prize.
PIMA STUDENT
OF THE YEAR
Sage Duguay,
University Of Maine A graduating senior (spring 2017) at UMaine at Orono, Duguay is set to earn her BS in chemical engineering. She is a member of UMaine’ s AIChE and TAPPI/PIMA Student chapters, and has served in an officer position for TAPPI/PIMA. Duguay is an active member of Tau Beta Pi National Engineering honor society and the All Maine Women honor and traditions society. She also serves as a student vice president on the UMaine Pulp and Paper Foundation’ s Executive Committee, where she says, “ I have been able to expand my knowledge of the pulp and paper industry and grow my professional network.”
COATING AND GRAPHIC ARTS DIVISION
DIVISION TECHNICAL AWARD & THE CHARLES W. ENGELHARD PRIZE
Gregory W. Welsch,
Trinseo
A 23-year TAPPI member, Welsch is a member of the C&GA Technical Program Committee, C&GA Steering Committee, and Coating Operations Committee. He is actively involved on the committee updating “ The Coating Processes” reference manual. Welsch is America’ s technical service and development leader in latex binders at Trinseo LLC. “ I am honored to be recognized alongside the distinguished list of previous recipients of the Charles W. Engelhard Prize, and I want to recog-nize the outstanding collaboration from many colleagues throughout the industry,” says Welsch.
DIVISION LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE AWARD & THE DUPONT SOY POLYMERS PRIZE
Roger W. Wygant, Retired
Wygant has made countless contributions to the C&GA Division and to knowledge sharing in the coating area. He con-tributed on technical program committees and as chair for several conferences, and has co-authored 14 TAPPI conference presentations. He also served on the C&GA Leadership Council. Now retired, Wygant is a part-time instructor and tutor in math, chemistry, and computer topics at Oconee Fall Line Technical College. He says, “ It is a great honor for any TAPPI member to be awarded a Division Leadership and Service Award.”
COATING AND GRAPHICS ARTS DIVISION & WESTROCK OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR AWARD Nancy Plowman,
Nancy Plowman & Assoc.
Plowman received a BA in mathematics from UMaine and is president of Nancy Plowman Associates. She has au-thored more than 65 articles and is a long-time member of the C&GA technical program committee. She has chaired and taught at TAPPI Printing Symposiums and has run more than 60 printing seminars at the NPA facility. “ Any time your peers honor you, it’ s more than just a pat on the back—it is confirmation that what you have worked so hard for is ap-preciated,” she says.
PAPER AND BOARD DIVISION
DIVISION TECHNICAL AWARD & HARRIS O. WARE PRIZE
D. Stephen Keller,
Miami University
A professor in the Department of Chemical, Paper and Biomedical Engineering at Miami University, Dr. Keller holds a Ph.D. in paper physics from SUNY-ESF. His research group specializes in measurement and characterization of struc-tural properties and the mathematical analyses of heterogeneities. He has co-authored 25 scientific articles, 25 confer-ence papers, five chapters in the Proceedings of the Fundamental Research Symposia, and two book chapters. Dr. Keller also served in the executive cycle for the TAPPI Paper Physics Committee and chaired the 2002 Progress in Paper Physics Seminar.
DIVISION LEADERSHIP
AND SERVICE AWARD
& OSCAR MAY PRIZE
Jay A. Shands,
Paperchine
Shands has been an active TAPPI member for more than 30 years. He has served in various officer positions, planned session tracks at PaperCon, presented numerous technical papers, and has been involved in writing and reviewing TIPs. A TAPPI Fellow and past recipient of the Engineering Division Technical Award and Beloit Prize, Shands is an avid promoter of TAPPI’ s benefit to the industry and has a history of encouraging co-workers to join TAPPI and make lifelong friends while serving the industry. His wife, Holly, is also active with TAPPI, serving as a past co-chair for PaperCon’ s guest program.
ENGINEERING DIVISION
DIVISION TECHNICAL AWARD
& BELOIT PRIZE
J. David Mcdonald,
JDMcD Consulting, Inc.
McDonald is president of JDMcD Consulting Inc., and has worked in the pulp and paper industry for more than 38 years, making important contributions to industry research. His career has included posts at FPInnovations, PAPRI-CAN, and Abitibi-Price. McDonald has published more than 65 papers in refereed journals. He is a Fellow of both TAPPI and PAPTAC and has received many awards, including PAPTAC’ s highest technical award, the John Bates Gold Medal. He is a senior advisor for the Marcus Wallenberg Prize and an adjunct professor at McMaster University.
DIVISION LEADERSHIP
AND SERVICE AWARD
Roland J. Trepanier,
OpTest Equipment
An expert in fiber and paper physics research with emphasis on the manufacturing process and final product quality, Trepanier has published more than 24 peer reviewed papers and holds two patents. He has authored and presented papers at nine TAPPI conferences. He also served as working group chair for several test methods and technical in-formation papers. Trepanier joined TAPPI in 1978 and has been extremely active in the P&PQ Division in officer andvolunteer roles. In 2000, he chaired TAPPI’ s Knowledge Management Transition team.
PROCESS CONTROL DIVISION
DIVISION TECHNICAL AWARD
Benjamin E. Blanchette,
Honeywell
In his 19 years with Honeywell, Blanchette has served in various sales and marketing roles; in his current post as director, strategy and innovation, digital transformation, he helps customers develop strategies to realize the full po-tential of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). Blanchette served on the TAPPI Process Control Division Council for three years. He comments, “ I am honored to be recognized— and pleased that my contributions had enough of an impact to be considered for this award.”
NET (NONWOVENS, ENGINEERS AND TECHNOLOGISTS) DIVISION
NONWOVENS TECHNICAL AWARD & MARK HOLLINGSWORTH PRIZE
David Snover,
Hexion Inc.
Snover is a senior technical service representative at Hexion Inc., working in glass mat and nonwoven product lines. He received a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI. Snover began his career working part time while attending college as a lab technician and process chemist at paper mills in the Kalamazoo area. He has been with Hexion Inc. for 27 years, working in technical service and product development in both wet strength paper and glass mat resin.
NET DIVISION LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE AWARD & ROHM AND HAAS PRIZE
Mark Keaten,
GAF
Keaten started his career as a process engineer for St. Regis Paper and then was plant manager at Champion In-ternational’ s Deferiet mill. He later joined Elk Corporation, which was purchased by GAF. He now oversees GAF’ s Chester, SC, nonwoven operation and the Ennis shingle plant, and serves as director of mat operations. “ It is rewarding to me that others within NET felt that my accomplishments as chairman of the Building Sciences Committee made a
difference,” says Keaten. “ Hopefully ,they make the committee stronger for the future.”
TAPPI/PIMA WOMEN IN INDUSTRY GROUP SELECTS FIRST HONOREE WOMAN OF THE YEAR NICKI SLUSSER, JACKSON PAPER MANUFACTURINGFOUNDED IN 2015, THE TAPPI/PIMA WOMEN IN INDUSTRY COMMITTEE ENVISIONS A COMPETITIVE, DIVERSE, AND DYNAMIC INDUSTRY THAT OFFERS LONG-TERM, FULFILLING CAREERS WHERE WOMEN AND MEN WORK IN SYNERGY. THE GROUP’S MISSION IS TO INSPIRE AND SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF WOMEN IN THE FOREST PRODUCTS, PULP, PAPER, TISSUE, PACKAGING, AND ASSOCIATED INDUSTRIES BY SERVING AS A RESOURCE FOR EDUCATION AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES THAT RESULT IN MORE WOMEN LEADERS IN THE INDUSTRY, FOSTERING OVERALL INDUSTRY HEALTH.
The Woman of the Year Award seeks to further these goals and to help share the stories of accomplished women in the industry. As the award’ s first recipient, the committee has selected Nicki Slusser, president and COO of Jackson Paper Manufacturing. Says Slusser, “ It’ s always an honor to be recognized by your colleagues for your contributions to the industry.”
Slusser came to Jackson Paper in January of 2013 as VP of operations, after retiring from a 33-year career in the paper industry working for Georgia Kraft, Mead Corp., Champion Paper, and International Paper. She has served in her current post since August of 2014, and her leadership supports a culture of success and support for her employees and the community.
“ Nicki understands the need for process improvement as it relates to maximizing profits through new technologies,” notes Randy Packer of the Summitt Group. “ This thought process is passed on to her management team so everyone has a voice and is on the same page. Having been a former mill manager, she is extremely in touch with the day-to-day needs of her mill. Jackson is located in downtown Sylva, so a close relationship with the city and county are key to the success of the mill. They are like family.”
Slusser has served as a PIMA board member and as president of PIMA in 2000. A TAPPI Fellow, she also served as a TAPPI board member from 2008-2010. During her career she has also served on various Junior Achievement, Chamber of Commerce, and hospital boards. The Women in Industry Committee offers educational programs and a dynamic forum for knowledge sharing and support. To learn more, contact Raine Hyde at
[email protected]