Jeff Lundeen, PhD, retired as a Senior Research Director of R&D at Georgia-Pacific's Neenah Technical Center. He has worked in the pulp and paper industry for 40 years and has a wide range of experience in pulping, bleaching and many grades of paper, paperboard, and nonwovens.
Dr. Lundeen has been a member of TAPPI since 1989. During that time, he has been an active member of the Chemical Properties, Physical Properties, and Optical Properties committees, as well as the Tissue Properties subcommittee. He was awarded a Division Leadership & Service Award by the Process and Product Quality Division.
In addition to his membership on TAPPI technical committees, he is also a member of the INDA Flushability committee and one of the US representatives on the ISO TC6 committee.
“Standards allow us to operate in a way that makes our lives easier.” – Jeff T. Lundeen
1. What sparked your interest in Standards?
I started in the industry 40 years ago supervising various types of testing labs. As I began, Standards were an excellent way to bring me up to speed on how the industry tested. It’s a great way to quickly increase your knowledge and meet other experts in the field to bounce ideas off of. Overall, I became interested in Standards as a path to assisting my career and acquiring knowledge.
2. Is there any particular review that has impacted you? Please tell us about your experience.
About 15 years ago, we formed a tissue committee to work on a tensile test specific for tissue (a Standard previously called T576 and now revised as T581). It was a great collaboration that hadn’t happened before. It allows us to communicate with each other and our vendors using the same language. When they are provided a measurement, they know it is done uniformly and don’t have to question how to relate company A’s results to Company’s B’s results. The workload was extensive, but it benefited the industry.
3. Why do you think Standards are important? How have you used them in your field?
Standards are important because it allows us to make measurements that can be compared by different companies or from one person to another. Whether it’s within the same company (ensuring that all the manufacturing sites are measuring properties the same way), or when you’re dealing with a customer and making a specification sheet for a product to be provided., customers will know that the results are due to differences between the samples and not due to testing differences. Standards allow us to operate in a way that make our lives easier.
“Join a Standard-Specific Interest Group (SSIG) if you want to not only advance your career, but also help the industry.”- Jeff T. Lundeen
4. What would you tell people that have never participated in Standards activities?
You don’t have to complete tasks and invent methods on your own. You can simply meet with other experts in the industry concerning a topic. This has not only benefited me in terms of corrections on a scientific method, but also helped me make good friendships. I have known many of my Standards committee peers for over 25 years and always look forward to seeing them at meetings and helping each other. Join a Standard-Specific Interest Group (SSIG) if you want to not only advance your career, but also help the industry.
5. How would you describe your experience being an active member of the Chemical, Physical, and Optical Properties committees as well as the Tissue Properties subcommittee?
All the committees have benefited me by increasing my knowledge. In my current role, I have different laboratories reporting to me; Physical, Chemical, Microbiology, Microscopy, Fiber, and Sensory Participation on the committees has helped me understand the measurements the industry needs in relation to my duties. Again, forming relationships with other experts in those fields when questions arise opens the door to inventing new Standards.
6. Does working with Standards give you a sense of fulfillment?
Yes, it does! For a variety of reasons. It confirms that you’re measuring properly, which gives a sense of security. Another reason is giving back to the industry you are a part of. I gain so much satisfaction knowing that this work helps other people as well as myself.
7. Tell us a bit about yourself (hobbies, etc.)?
Right after obtaining my Ph.D. in chemistry, I started in the pulp and paper industry, and I have worked in it ever since. I have mainly worked supervising laboratories, which always gets me excited!
I’m an avid tennis player; probably too avid (laughs). I also enjoy Habitat for Humanity volunteer work and helping people.
8. If you could describe the value of TAPPI membership in one word, what would it be?
Connections!
Interview conducted/ written by Souadou Camara
Editor in Chief: Janet LoBue
Thank you, Jeff Lundeen for your contribution to TAPPI!
If you would like to share your experience with Standards, TIPs or U.S. TAG to ISO TC 6, please write to standards@tappi.org and the TAPPI Standards team will be happy to interview you.
