Paper 360
2018 TAPPI/PIMA Awards
BY JAN BOTTIGLIERI
Each year, Paper360° is honored to showcase members of our industry who lead by example—in their service to others, their exemplary management, or their remarkable contributions to helping our industry innovate and grow.
Here, you’ll meet the winners of the TAPPI/PIMA national-level awards—the association’s highest honors—as well as those receiving awards from several TAPPI Divisions. Many of these awards were presented at the Awards Breakfast during this year’s PaperCon in Charlotte, NC. (Other division awards are presented at events and conferences throughout the year.) Recognizing scientific achievement, outstanding leadership, professional excellence, and service to industry and communities, these awards do more than honor the achievements of those receiving them—they remind us of the qualities valued by TAPPI members.
As you learn about these outstanding individuals—your colleagues and peers—you may ask yourself: “How can I thank those who have influenced my professional life?” 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
J. DAVID McDONALD,
JDMcD CONSULTING
With a talent for bridging the gaps between industry, government, and academic research, David McDonald has devoted his career to developing technologies and relationships that secure a bright future for our industry. McDonald is president of JDMcD Consulting Inc. and an adjunct professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at McMaster University in Hamilton, ON. He began his career in the industry with the Abitibi Paper Company in 1978. In 1984, he joined Paprican as a research scientist. During his active research career, he produced outstanding advances in the science and technology of wet pressing, web handling, winding, and several other fields. These are described in 70 peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations, about a quarter of which are in TAPPI publications.
McDonald rose to the position of vice president, research and education at Paprican, responsible for the entire research and university programs of the organization with line responsibility for more than 300 people. Among his many accomplishments was his vision to create a world-class program in nanotechnology and forest biorefinery. Upon the creation of FPInnovations, he was appointed vice president of University Programs and Strategic Partnerships. In this capacity, he was the architect of eight university networks supported by industry and the Government of Canada to create “the forest industry of the future.” He later served as the senior advisor to the umbrella organization of the networks, FIBRE, which was comprised of 27 universities with over 100 professors and 400 students.
McDonald has been a member of TAPPI since 1982, serving on the Water Removal and Finishing and Converting Committees, as well as the International Research Management Committee. He is a TAPPI Fellow and recipient of the TAPPI Engineering Division Technical Award and Beloit Prize. McDonald is an associate editor of J-FOR and a senior advisor to the Marcus Wallenberg Prize Committee in Sweden. He has received many other awards, including the John Bates Gold Medal, PAPTAC’s highest technical award.
For Service Leadership:
Herman L. Joachim Distinguished Service Award
JEFF REESE,
INTERNATIONAL PAPER
It’s difficult to imagine any TAPPI member who has not directly benefitted from the expertise, experience, and tireless volunteer leadership of Jeff Reese, this year’s recipient. The HLJDSA recognizes an individual for voluntary leadership and support, including contributions that have significantly and demonstrably advanced the mission and vision of the association. Reese works for International Paper at its Cincinnati Technology Center as manager–paper solutions (His work even includes a recent study at Herman Joachim’s original mill in Bogalusa, LA.)
In 1985, Reese graduated summa cum laude from NC State University with degrees in Pulp and Paper Technology and Chemical Engineering. His senior project was to develop TAPPI Technical Information Paper (TIP) 0404-33 “Dryer Section Performance Monitoring.” He has since been task group chair for multiple revisions of eight additional TIPs and served as a task group member on 19 other TIPs. He has been active with numerous TAPPI Divisions and Committees since 1986 while working for Poyry-BEK, Valmet-Enerdry, Georgia-Pacific, and two stints with IP. He has served through the chair rotations of the Water Removal Committee, Papermakers Committee, and Engineering Division Council and currently serves as the WRC Drying Subcommittee chair, Paper and Board Division Scholarship chair, and Papermaking Specialists Subcommittee chair.
Reese has served as a track manager at every Papermaking or PaperCon conference since 2006. At PaperCon 2015, he shared the podium with his father, Gunnar Nicholson Gold Medalist Dick Reese; and his daughter, NC State Paper Science and Engineering graduate and IP engineer Diana Reese, for “Back to the Future in Papermaking—Three Generations of Perspective.”
A TAPPI Fellow since 2004, Reese received the Engineering Division Technical Award and Beloit Prize in 2007, the Paper and Board Division Technical Award and Harris O. Ware Prize in 2010, and the Paper and Board Division Leadership and Service Award in 2016.
In addition to his technical areas of expertise in paper machine optimization, energy conservation, drying, steam and condensate systems, and ventilation, Reese is passionate about recruiting and training engineers for the pulp and paper industry, working with the GP Entry-Level Engineering Program since 1996 and then the IP REACH program since 2004, leading recruiting efforts at his alma mater, and helping develop and present training sessions for more than 900 entry-level engineers.
For Business Leadership:
TAPPI/PIMA Executive of the Year
MARK SUTTON,
INTERNATIONAL PAPER
This prestigious honor is presented to senior-level executives in the pulp, paper, or converting industries for excellence in management and outstanding contributions to the industry as a whole. For an interview with this year’s recipient, Chairman and CEO of International Paper Mark Sutton, see page 25.
For Local Section Service:
Paul Magnabosco Outstanding Local Section Member Award
CHRISTIAN J. WOLSLEGEL,
MIRON CONSTRUCTION
Growing membership, funding the section’s scholarship, organizing events, furthering safety programs—for TAPPI’s Lake States Division, Chris Wolslegel has done all this and more, with energy and enthusiasm. 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.
Wolslegel is vice president of Industrial Business Development for Miron Construction in Neenah, WI. He has a BS in mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin Platteville and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. He began his involvement in the pulp/paper and power industry as a co-op student at James River Paper in 1990; since then he has been in plant engineering, operations and maintenance management, account management for a pulp/paper specialty chemical supplier, and most recently a construction contractor project executive.
Since 2008, Wolslegel has served on the Lake States TAPPI Board of Directors, and has chaired the Lake States annual energy meeting, golf outing, and spring and fall sporting clay shoots. According to one Lake States member, “Chris understands how to empower the right members to accomplish the job at hand. His leadership is an inspiration and great asset to the division.”
TAPPI Fellows Celebrate 50 Years
There is no more complete “who’s who” listing of TAPPI leaders than the roll of TAPPI Fellows. The TAPPI Fellows program recognizes meritorious service to the association and the industry; new fellows are nominated by members and selected by an Honors Committee. This year marks the group’s 50th anniversary—the first class of TAPPI Fellows was selected in 1968.
Only a small percentage of TAPPI members ever achieve the distinction of fellow. Considerations include longstanding TAPPI membership, exemplary volunteer leadership, and outstanding contributions to the industry’s knowledge base. 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 truly represent our best and brightest,” says TAPPI President Larry Montague. “These men and women have contributed so much throughout their careers—building relationships, sharing knowledge, and providing countless volunteer hours to our association. Their service forms the foundation of TAPPI.”
TAPPI Fellows represent every area of the industry and hail from all over the world, creating a truly global fellowship of men and women whose dedication, professionalism, and high personal standards serve as inspiration and example. Today, this distinguished group includes more than 356 living fellows from 13 countries around the globe.
Nine new fellows will join this elite group in 2018. We welcome the 50th Anniversary Fellows Class:
Margaret Gorog
International Paper
TAPPI Member since 1990
Bruce Janda
InnovaSpec
TAPPI Member since 1980
Prakash Malla
Thiele Kaolin
TAPPI Member since 1992
Al Osgood
Sappi
North America
TAPPI Member since 1984
Steve Ottone
Omya
TAPPI Member since 1985
Nancy Plowman Sandreuter
Nancy Plowman Associates
TAPPI Member since 1990
Ed Robie
Retired
TAPPI Member since 1984
From the TAPPI Board of Directors:
Anitra Collins
Graphic Packaging International
TAPPI Member since 2011
From the TAPPI Board of Directors:
Marko Hakovirta
North Carolina State University
TAPPI Member since 2011
PIMA Management Division:
Mill Manager of the Year
KATHY COLLINS, DOMTAR
With more than 25 years of experience in pulp and paper, Kathy Collins has made an impact as a mill manager, pulping superintendent, and EHS manager for several different companies. Collins was general manager of Domtar’s Rothschild, WI, mill from 2014 to 2017, and was recently promoted to director of environment for Domtar’s Pulp & Paper Division. Collins attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison, earning a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. She lives in Plover, WI, with her husband Andrew and daughter Mackenzie.
Brookshire Moore Superintendent of the Year
JAMES “TODD” COLTRAIN
DOMTAR
Todd Coltrain is the NC 5 pulp machine operations superintendent at the Domtar facility in Plymouth, NC. Coltrain began his 27-year industry career as a process engineer on machines that produced linerboard, corrugated medium, and fluff pulp. After several years in fluff pulp, his career transitioned into fine paper, where he worked as superintendent on a cutsize/Xerocopy Bel-Baie machine, followed by an offset/printing paper Fourdrinier machine. In 2010, he joined the commissioning team for the NC 5 machine conversion from fine paper to fluff. Coltrain has been married for 27+ years to his wonderful wife Amy. They have four children and two grandchildren.
Ray H. Cross Community Service Award
BOB GRYGOTIS
DOMTAR
Currently general manager for the Domtar mill in Ashdown, AR, Bob Grygotis has worked in the pulp and paper industry for more than 40 years and has led the Ashdown team since 2011. He is known for encouraging his employees to value community service—something he models in his own efforts with the local Historical Society, Junior Achievement, Boy Scouts, and others. In 2013, he was named TAPPI/PIMA Mill Manager of the Year. In 2015, he was inducted into Couch Pit University. Grygotis has a BS in Pulp and Paper Technology from NC State University. He and his wife, Sherry, live in Texarkana, TX, with their two sons, Jack and Alex.
PIMA Student of the Year
COURTNEY WILT
MIAMI UNIVERSITY
A senior at Miami University in Oxford, OH, Courtney Wilt is pursuing her B.S. in chemical engineering with minors in process control and paper science. She’s a member of the Miami TAPPI student chapter and serves as vice president of the Miami student chapter of the Society of Women Engineers. Wilt is also a peer tutor at the University’s Rinella Learning Center. Upon graduating this summer, she will begin her career at Georgia Pacific’s Neenah, WI, Technical Center, working in the consumer products division.
Coating and Graphic Arts Division:
Division Technical Award & Charles W. Englehard Prize
LARS M. JÄRNSTRÖM
KARLSTAD UNIVERSITY
Lars Järnström is professor of Paper Coating Technology and has been active in coating research for 33 years. He began his career in paper research at the Forest Product Section of the Institute for Surface Chemistry, Stockholm (now part of RISE.) He later also worked at STFI before becoming a professor at Karlstad University, Sweden, in 1999. Järnström has published extensively and holds four patents. Over the past 16 years he has made about 125 conference presentations.
Division Leadership and Service Award & DuPont Soy Polymers Prize
MARK A. SORENSON
ANDRITZ
A sales director for the Andritz Kusters group, Mark Sorenson has worked in the pulp and paper industry for more than 43 years. He began his career as an engineering co-op student with Beloit Corporation, eventually becoming the product line manager for the calender product lines. Sorenson joined TAPPI in 1981, and has served as Coating and Graphic Arts Division chair. He has also been involved with the Finishing Division, and has been an instructor in the Tissue Runnability Short Course since 1988.
Coating and Graphics Arts Division & WestRock Outstanding Educator Award
NICK TRIANTAFILLOPOULOS
OMNOVA SOLUTIONS
Nick Triantafillopoulos, Ph.D., has served the paper and allied chemical industries for 30 years in coating process and products development. He has dedicated substantial efforts to education through teaching, lecturing in postgraduate programs, and mentoring graduate students and young professionals. He has been active in TAPPI since 1981 and is a TAPPI Fellow. Triantafillopoulos was an original organizing member of the Advanced Coating Fundamentals Symposium, and has led implementation of pigmented size press and curtain coating technologies to the paper industry.
Paper and Board Division:
Division Technical Award & Harris O. Ware Prize
JOUNI MATULA
WETEND TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
Jouni Matula is CEO of Wetend Technologies Ltd. in Finland, inventor of TrumpJet technology, and one of the primary shareholders of the company. Matula has more than 40 years’ experience as an international machinery and process and system supplier for the paper, board and pulp industry. He has published about 70 conference papers and articles, and has been the innovator in more than 100 international patents or patent applications for pulp and paper processes or machinery.
Division Leadership and Service Award & Oscar May Prize
PHILLIP H. WELLS
WELLS ENTERPRISES INC.
After five years in R&D at Weyerhaeuser, in 1983 Philip Wells co-founded Wells Enterprises, Inc. with his father, Roger. He has designed and supplied more than 400 Lazy Steam Shower installations to paper machines around the world. Wells is a TAPPI Fellow and has been active in TAPPI since 1986. He is secretary of the Engineering Division, has served on the PaperCon Steering and Technical Program committees, and has been active in the last six Student Summits. A frequent contributor to TAPPI TIPs, Wells has published numerous technical papers relating to steam showers.
Engineering Division:
Division Technical Award & Beloit Prize
JOHN NEUN
CONSULTANT
John Neun retired recently as a staff engineer for Albany International, which took him to paper and tissue machines around the globe. He is past chairman of TAPPI’s Paper and Board Division, Water Removal Committee, and Papermakers Committee. Neun has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and is a registered Professional Engineer in New York State. Neun joined the paper industry in 1979, when he began work at Albany Felt Company.
Division Leadership and Service Award & Amec Foster Wheeler Prize
SCOTT PANTALEO
INTERNATIONAL PAPER
Scott Pantaleo has worked for more than 30 years in the pulp and paper industry, currently serving as engineering fellow at International Paper. His technical contributions have led to a better understanding of the design and operation of the approach flow, headbox, and forming section, for improved web uniformity and production efficiency. Since joining TAPPI in 1989, Pantaleo has been active in the Engineering Division, and the fluid mechanics committee. He is a TAPPI Fellow.
Process and Product Quality Division:
Division Leadership and Service Award
JEFF T. LUNDEEN
GEORGIA-PACIFIC CORP.
Jeff Lundeen is a senior research director of R&D for Georgia-Pacific’s Neenah Technical Center. Over his 36-year career in the pulp and paper industry, he has amassed a wide range of experience in pulping, bleaching, and many grades of paper, paperboard, and nonwovens. A TAPPI member since 1989, Lundeen has been an active member of the Chemical Properties, Physical Properties, and Optical Properties committees as well as the Tissue subcommittee. He has also presented papers on white liquor analysis and flushability standards.
Process Control Division:
Division Technical Award
LEONARD F. FIORE
AMETEK
Lenny Fiore is senior hardware engineer at Ametek Surface Vision. His career in the pulp and paper industry has spanned 40 years, beginning at The Foxboro Company, where he did systems support for the first generation of microprocessor-based control systems. Fiore has been involved with web-based monitoring and inspection for the past 25 years. He was named inventor on six US patents, all based on systems used in the pulp and paper industry.
Division Leadership and Service Award
SEYHAN NUYAN VALMET
Seyhan Nuyan has served the industry for more than 38 years. He has worked at Valmet and its predecessor companies, starting in Toronto as an R&D engineer; he later served Valmet (Metso) in Tampere, Finland, as global business manager for Quality Control Systems, returning to North America in 2006. Nuyan is now director of sales and applications for Valmet’s Automation Business Line. He holds four control system patents and has published more than 100 papers. A TAPPI Fellow, Nuyan has held leadership roles in the Process Control Division.
Net (Nonwovens, Engineers
and Technologists) Division:
Nonwovens Technical Award & Mark Hollingsworth Prize
F. PHILIP YU
NALCO WATER
Dr. Yu received his Ph.D. in microbiology from the Center for Biofilm Engineering at Montana State in 1994; he joined Nalco Water that year and is now industry technical consultant with the Manufacturing Strategic Business Unit. Yu has served various sectors within Nalco Water including power, primary metals, refinery, glass, plastics, nonwovens, and microelectronics. Yu has more than 30 years’ experience in water research, holds two US patents, and has 40 publications in scientific journals and books.
NET Division Leadership and Service Award & Dow Chemical Prize
JOHN D. JACQUIN
MICHELMAN
John Jacquin is a technical service and applications development manager at Michelman Inc., with more than 35 years’ experience. During his career he has managed several coating application labs in the Americas and provided product development support to customers in coating, ink, adhesive, rubber, paper, textile, nonwoven, and specialty markets. Jacquin has jointly authored 32 peer-reviewed technical papers or presentations for these industries. He has presented twice in TAPPI’s Webinar series and twice at the NETInc Technical Symposium; he is chair of the Binders, Additives & Minerals Committee.
Women in Industry Division:
Woman of the Year Award
NICKIE PARKER
WESTROCK
Nickie Parker is vice president of commercial excellence for WestRock, where she has served in several leadership roles during her 20-year career with the company (and predecessor MeadWestvaco), including managing director of the company’s Asia-Pacific business based in Shanghai, and vice president of WestRock’s liquid packaging business. While at WestRock’s Evadale mill, Parker founded and led the Women’s Network, an employee resource group that promotes diversity and inclusion. Parker earned a BS in chemical engineering from Texas A&M University, and an MBA from Tulane University, Freeman School of Business.
NET Division Leadership
and Service Award
HEATHER B. JENNINGS
PROBIOTIC SOLUTIONS
Jennings is a registered professional civil engineer and serves as a senior project engineer for Probiotic Solutions, owned by Bio Huma Netics, Inc. She has more than 15 years’ experience in project management, environmental programs, municipal and industrial facility system analysis, and design for both municipal water and wastewater systems. She has additional experience in permitting on both state and federal levels. Jennings graduated from Brigham Young University with a BS degree in chemical engineering.
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