Stepping into the Member Spotlight this month is Richard "Rick" Croker, active member since 1975.  As Director of Technical Services for Georgia-Pacific Containerboard LLC, Rick is responsible for setting all product specifications for the company's containerboard mills.

A two-time past Chairman of a TAPPI local section, Rick has also served as Chairman of several committees, taught numerous courses around the world, published 20 technical papers and co-authored 12 TIPs for TAPPI's Corrugated Packing Division.  An avid scuba diver, he was also a PADI instructor for more than 18 years and firmly believes that teaching enables lifelong learning.

Spotlight participants are often recommended by fellow members and staff.  If you would like to nominate a member (or even yourself!) just send their name (or names) to MemberSpotlight@tappi.org.  We will forward a Spotlight Questionnaire to fill out and return. 

We look forward to seeing you in the Spotlight!

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The 2010 TAPPI Nominating Committee announces the 2011 TAPPI Board Slate. Nominees and their respective positions are:

Chair – Norman Marsolan - Director IPST and Chemical Engineering Professor of the Practice, Georgia Tech IPST@GA Tech

Vice Chair – Thomas J. Garland - President and CEO, PaperWorks Industries Inc.

Directors –

•    Sandra L. Le Barron, Director of Environmental, Health and Safety, Finch Papers
•    Markku A. Karlsson, Senior Vice President of Technology, UPM-Kymmene Corporation
•    Bob Snyder, President and CEO, Orchids Paper Products


Returning Directors

Davide R. Friedman, General Mills Inc., 2009-2011
Robert J. Gallo, Voith, 2010-2012
Jeff Hamilton, Sappi Fine Paper North America, 2010-2012
Chris Luettgen, Kimberly-Clark, 2010-2012
Thomas E. Rodencal, Rodencal Paper Consulting Inc., 2009-2011
Gary M. Scott, State University of New York, 2009-2011
Larry N. Montague, President and CEO, TAPPI

Other Nominations

Per TAPPI's Bylaws, the Association's membership has until November 1, 2010, to submit other nominations to the President and CEO of TAPPI, Larry N. Montague at lmontague@tappi.org.  Such nominations must be signed by at least one percent of the voting members, and each voting member may sign for only one such nomination. Each such nomination must be accepted in writing by the nominee. 

The name of each such nominee so submitted, signed and accepted shall be placed on the election ballot. The election ballot shall give voters the options of voting for or against the entire slate or for or against the individual candidate(s) for each position.  Elections will begin December 1, 2010, and conclude January 15, 2011.   Contact Mary Beth Cornell, + 1 770-209-7210 or mcornell@tappi.org with questions.

Retiring Officers and Directors

Jeffrey J. Siegel, Mica Corporation(Chair)
Vincent Newberry, Mondi Akrosil, LLC
Nicki S. Slusser, International Paper

2010 Nominating Committee

Chair

Mark R. McCollister, Paperchine Inc.

Members

Kathy Buckman Gibson, Buckman
Scott Frasca, RohmNova
Charlie Hodges, Port Townsend Paper
Asko Hyttinen, Strategy First
Norman F. Marsolan(non-voting), IPST @ GA Tech
Larry N. Montague, TAPPI
Jeff Pallini, Fosber
Gerry Ring, University of Wisconsin--Stevens Point
Barb Russell, Sonoco

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Four regional community colleges across the nation recently hosted National Network for Pulp & Paper Technology's (NPT2) Student/Faculty Summer Institutes. The annual institutes provide a forum for high school students, high school advisers and college educators to gather. While there, they explore the products, processes and career opportunities in the pulp and paper industry.

The institutes are held in Maine, Washington, Alabama and Minnesota. They provide participants with hands-on exposure to pulp and paper processes and include visits to local pulp and paper production facilities. Many students visited the University of Maine's campus to observe ongoing research in the area of cellulosic biofuels.  

"I realized it involved more technological skill than I initially believed," said a student participant from Itasca Community College in Grand Rapids, MI. "It made me want to consider working in the paper industry."

Each institute is designed to enable participants to achieve several goals:

•    To describe key processes including pulping, papermaking, and paper recycling;
•    To demonstrate scientific principles related to pulp and paper technology;
•    To develop methods to incorporate pulp and paper concepts and learning materials into the classroom; and
•    To provide information about career opportunities in the industry.

About NPT2

The Network was created to provide the pulp and paper sector of the US forest products industry with a Technologically Advanced Workforce (TAW). NPT2 achieves this goal by offering exciting and effective education and training.  The Network is an alliance of community colleges, universities, industry partners and the National Science Foundation. NPT2 is a part of the TAW platform supported by TAPPI, the leading association for the worldwide pulp, paper, packaging, and converting industries and the American Forest and Paper Association's special project group, Agenda 2020.

More information is available from T. J. Murphy, Executive Director, NPT2, tjmurphy@ascc.edu, +1 (334) 637-3193. Visit www.npt2.org.

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Sponsored by TAPPI’s NET (Nonwovens Engineers & Technologists) Division and the Nonwovens Institute (NWI), the Innovative Nonwovens Conference (NETInc), November 10-12, 2010 in Raleigh, NC USA, is the only technical conference developed by engineers and technologists to help you understand the innovation behind the science and how it impacts the market.  View the Technical Program for this breakthrough event.

NETInc is unlike any other nonwovens conference because the program is developed by the industry experts that drive innovation and new technology in the nonwovens arena. The NET Division volunteers have strived to build a strong technical program that you have come to expect from TAPPI as well as poignant keynote sessions, cutting edge technology and a tour of NWI’s Pilot Plant facility. For more details about this event, including registration, visit www.netincevent.org.

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The paper coating community will be converging in Munich, Germany 11-13 October 2010 for the TAPPI 11th Advanced Coating Fundamentals Symposium. This biennial event attracts the world's foremost experts in coating technology and is the preeminent symposium for leading-edge research. Your next opportunity won't come until 2012!

View the brochure to see the full schedule of speakers and topics.  The technical program includes 30 peer-reviewed papers covering a wide range of topics like advanced printing fundamentals, sustainable barrier coatings, liquid interactions, optical control and advanced understanding of curtain coater application. 

A peer-reviewed poster session will also be held. 

In addition to learning about all the latest developments, you will enjoy fun and fellowship with your colleagues from around the world at the Advanced Coating Fundamentals Dinner.

Tradition and folklore will surround you on Tuesday, 12 October, in the lager cellar at the Augustinerkeller. Since 1812, the Augustinerkeller has been one of the most popular Bavarian restaurants in Munich.

This event is included in your registration. Transportation provided.

Registration and Sponsorship information is available at www.tappi.org/10acf.
 

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This November 10-11, join your colleagues in Chicago, Ill. USA for Specialty Papers 2010 -- the only conference devoted exclusively to the latest developments in the specialty papers sector.

The technical program includes 18 presentations from a cross-section of industry experts from organizations like Suntech Resources LLC, Hewlett Packard, Kimberly Clark, FPInnovations and Western Michigan University. You will find two days of in-depth coverage of global market trends; insights into how to improve the manufacturing process, reduce costs and increase competitiveness; the latest technology developments and the forecast for sustainability and LCA. The conference includes two round-table lunches covering the industry's hot-button topics (as determined by attendees!) where attendees can share and learn from successes and setbacks.

Register before August 27, 2010 to take advantage of the 'Super Early Bird' savings!

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"The weakest living creature, by concentrating his powers on a single object, can accomplish something. The strongest, by dispensing his over many, may fail to accomplish anything. The drop, by continually falling, bores its passage through the hardest rock. The hasty torrent rushes over it with hideous uproar, and leaves no trace behind." -Thomas Carlyle, essayist and historian (1795-1881)

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