Specialty Papers US 2017 Expert Speakers

James Atkinson worked as a technical service representative for a small wet end starch distributor, which then changed to consulting only for wet end optimization. Worked in mills in CT, VA, KY, and LA over the past 15 years. Also worked in a commercial print shop starting as an estimator, but then moved to a digital offset press and general production. Then worked as an in-plant ink technician for a company serving an American Greetings facility. Started at WMU again in Fall 2013 and is looing forward to graduating with his PhD in June and moving towards my next opportunity to grow, learn and make a contribution to an organization within the paper/printing industry.

Paul Bicho, Manager, Innovation and Optimization, Canfor Pulp Innovation

Education: University of Maine, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, 1985

Experience: 2 years- Union Camp Corp- Uncoated WF/Coated Board producer, 7 years- Newark Group – Coated Recycled Boxboard producer, Technical and Production positions, 24 years- Imerys (formerly ECC International): Technical Service, 1993-96, Market Manager- 1996-00, Product Manager- 2000- 08, Director of Marketing, Imerys Kaolin Division- 2008-present

Two daughters- 19 and 15 years old

Activities and hobbies:

• Running
• Tennis
• Skiing

Mike Browne is the Brand Manager for Sappi North America’s packaging papers and is accountable for the brand positioning and growth of specialty products.  Prior to his current role, Mike held technical and operational roles at Sappi’s Somerset Mill and a chemical sales positon with Buckman North America.

Mike received his B.S in Chemical Engineering from the University of Maine with minors in Biology and Economics.

Wade Chute is a Chemical Engineer with over 26 years of experience in pulp, paper and allied industries that includes both research and development as well as the processing of textile fibres and waste into pulps for high-quality paper and composite products. He has been directly involved in the startup of a number of pilot plants and full-scale manufacturing processes around the world and specializes in new process development.

In addition to an extensive career in process engineering, Wade is also a proven leader with a wealth of experience in strategic program development, business development, sales and value-chain development for mechanical pulping, chemical pulping and medium density fibreboard production.

Lyne has been with FPInnovations for 19 years in progressive levels of R&D responsibilities and has a PhD in Materials Science from University of Toronto. Since 2014, she is also the International Chair of ISO TC6, the technical committee that develops ISO standards for paper, board and pulps.

In addition to supporting paper mills in solving various printing and paper performance issues, Lyne led the effort in developing several instruments to measure paper appearance and print quality, some of which are used regularly by mills for quality control and troubleshooting. More recently she has been focusing on the development of new paper products, including lightweight coated paper for high speed web inkjet printing, which has been commercially launched by an FPInnovations member company. Lyne is currently leading the R&D effort in exploring the application of emerging technologies (printed electronics, 3D printing) in developing novel fibre-based products.

Dave is a graduate of Miami University majoring in Paper Science & Engineering.  He has worked for various suppliers and paper mills in a host of positions for over 30+ years.  Now as Global Business Manager-Nanotechnologies, Dave coordinates GL&V’s effort in nanotechnology creation and promotion.

Teri is Chief Technology Officer and Chairwoman of Folia Water. She has a B.S. in Textiles and Fiber Science from Cornell University, an M.S. in Agricultural and Environmental Chemistry from University of California in Davis, a Ph.D. in Chemistry from McGill University, and completed postdoctoral research at the Center for Global Health at University of Virginia and Civil and Environmental Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. Her doctoral and postdoctoral work has been the invention, laboratory, and field testing of Folia Filters. She created Folia Water to bring her invention out of the lab to those who in need of clean water.

Annabelle Filer is a Professional Deviant.

She trained as an Architect but her passion is the discovery and promotion of materials, which for whatever reason will have a positive effect on the environment. She is an entrepreneur with 3 businesses: A London based Architects Practice, SCIN, the UK’s largest Independent materials Library and Resource and more recently Tensei, a next generation paper company specialising in bringing poly-fibre non wood pulp blends to market. 

Her skill is her role at making the appropriate and rewarding connections using her and her SCIN team’s materials insight at the coalface between the material specifier the supplier. It is a unique and privileged position.

She is a writer and researcher and a regular contributor to a number of magazines. She has been involved in many Industry think tanks and is a seasoned judge of Industry awards from New Materials to Graduating Designers to Photography.

Annabelle is a creative and a risk taker. She doesn’t believe in the word ‘no’ and isn’t afraid to challenge the Status Quo.

Paige Goff is Vice-President of Sustainability and Communications at Domtar, the largest integrated marketer and manufacturer of business and office copy paper in North America. In this role, she is responsible for communicating Domtar’s pulp and paper initiatives, identifying and leveraging the latest sustainability trends and strategies for the business, as well as developing and managing partnerships with environmental non-governmental organizations (NGO) and customers. 

Goff has 17 years of experience in the forest products industry and joined Domtar in 2004.  In her previous Domtar roles, she was also the Senior Manager, Brand and Advertising Operations as well as a Product Packaging Manager.  Prior to joining Domtar, Goff was a marketing analyst and planner at Resolute, a North American paper industry supplier. She has a Master of Business Administration degree.  

coming soon! 

Erkki Hellén acts as a Key Account Manager for fibre products and processes at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. He has been working in various R&D positions supporting the papermaking industry since 2003. His special expertise is on applications of micro- and nanofibrillated celluloses and on resource-efficient fiber production technologies, especially foam forming technology.

Erkki has a Ph.D. on computational physics from the Helsinki University of Technology.

Samuel L. Hillard is Vice President, Corporate Development & Strategy for Glatfelter. He is responsible for facilitating the development and execution of Glatfelter’s global corporate strategy as well as lead initiatives for corporate development including mergers and acquisitions.

Prior to joining Glatfelter, Sam was Vice President, Business Development with Dover Corporation where he was responsible for strategy, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and post merger integration for Dover’s Fluids Segment.  Additionally, Sam has several years of related M&A and strategy experience, specifically with SPX Corporation and Blackstone.  Early in his career, Sam completed a two year management training rotational program, working with various functions of Corporate Finance in both the U.S. and Europe.

Sam graduated magna cum laude from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance.  He received an MBA from Harvard Business School.     Sam and his wife Karen reside in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with their two daughters.  

President of Straw Logic, Former Straw Purchase Manager for SWM Intl ending my career as Manager of New Business Development. Now involved in providing sustainable agricultural biomaterial & biomass advocacy and consulting services.

 We create sustainable solutions from agriculture by providing flax and hemp fiber consulting services along with natural fiber advocacy. Let our 33 years of straw purchasing, agriculture crop logistics and flax & hemp biomaterial business development help me, help you.

Over 30 years in the pulp and paper industry primarily in research with companies such as Weyerhaeuser, GK Carbonate, English China Clays, was extremely active in the alkaline conversersions of many mills throughout North America.  Later, was the Director of the Paper Science Center at the University of Washington, teaching Fiber Physics, Papermaking Operations, Wet End Chemistry.  Currently the President and CTO  of Sustainable Fiber Technologies, and also CTO of Columbia Pulp

Directs Knauf Insulation’s Sustainability Initiatives as well as all government and non-governmental product regulation or selection activities and provides strategic input to manufacturing, product development, as well as sales and marketing initiatives. Well versed in product impacts, Scott is keenly aware of the impact that Knauf Insulation’s products bring to market. Scott is also Director of the Knauf Academy. The mission of The Knauf Academy is to educate both internal and external audiences on the technical aspects of Knauf Insulation products versus completive technologies, and demonstrate the proper use of and characterization of insulation products.

An Engineer by training, Scott brought forth the concept of Sustainable Development to Knauf Insulation in 2007, where Knauf has demonstrated industry leadership in a number of areas. Knauf was the first company in the U.S. to GREENGUARD certify their products for indoor air quality, the first to produce a bio-based binder adhesive, the first to push the limits for post-consumer glass content, the first to disclose its ingredients and the first to issue an environmental product declaration (EPD) for insulation for the mechanical room.  Scott has also brought the concept of sustainable development to Knauf Insulation globally.

As an appointed member of the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association Regulatory Affairs Committee (NAIMA RAC), Scott is has been very involved in all health and safety aspects of glass fiber products. NAIMA RAC is highly regarded for its stewardship and product understanding by many Federal agencies. Scott also spent 25 years in testing laboratories accessing physical, mechanical, thermal, acoustic and fire performance of building materials.

 

CAREER AFFILIATIONS

ASTM Member 1980 to 2012

ASTM C-16.20 Chair, Homogenous and Inorganic Insulations 2000-2005

ASHRAE Technical Committee 1.8 on Mechanical Insulation, Chairman 2005-2006

ASHRAE Technical Committee 9.5 on Small Building Applications, Chairman 2011 to 2012

ASHRAE Chapter 23 Fundamental Handbook Chair 2006 to Present

North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) Chair Environment and Sustainability Committee 2006 to Present

NAIMA Product Regulatory Affairs Committee member 2004 to Present

Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association (BIFMA) TG on Office Furniture Emissions participant 2005 to 2007

BIFMA Sustainability Assessment Standard participant 2007 to Present

Invited Expert for the Insulation Institute

 

OTHER (Publications patents, research, etc.):

Numerous U.S. and International Patents

Graham Moore has over thirty years experience of the paper and board industry, encompassing process and product knowledge, product performance, recycling, deinking, wet end chemistry, and strategic futures related research. He has assisted paper companies around the world to successfully develop and exploit new speciality products and markets.

Dr Moore developed and initiated the Paper Perspectives research programme which assesses the impact of a range of issues and trends on the future demand of a range of paper products. Products have included office paper, magazines, thermal paper, promotional print products and commercial inkjet.

He has authored many papers and publications, including a number of books, e.g. Wet End Chemistry Strategies, Non Wood Fibres and Pulp and Paper Five-Year Technology Forecast. Moore has also contributed to other publications including the EC COST publication, 'Paper Recycling' and TAPPI's Paper 360o journal.

A member and Fellow of TAPPI (USA), member and non-executive director of PITA (UK) and a member of PRIMA, Graham has represented the UK on the European COST programme for Forests and Forest Products and has acted as an evaluator for the EC and the Finnish Academy of Science. Has also acted as an external examiner for Manchester and Reading Universities in the UK and been an invited lecturer at the pulp and paper schools of Lappeenranta University of Technology in Finland and Seoul University in South Korea.

Neva Murtha, a Senior Campaigner at Canopy, is a leader in the development of markets for papers made with agricultural residue, and is the driving force behind Canopy's Second Harvest campaign, including the organization’s innovative wheat straw paper trials. She has played a key role in efforts to bring straw-based paper to the marketplace by connecting producers and importers to retailers and major corporate paper consumers. Her achievements with Canopy include working with Canada’s major magazine publishers and North America’s largest printers to develop visionary procurement policies for forest conservation and agricultural residue paper development.  She has also been on the critical review panel for several life cycle studies that look at using agricultural residues, including the Kimberly Clark LCA on alternatives fibers.

Barbara (Barb) Ness began her 24 year career in the paper industry after graduating with a BS in Paper Science from Western Michigan University. She has worked in all aspects of the business including sales, production, technical service and product development. With Ivex Specialty Paper, she enjoys working with customers on sales and new business development. Barb credits the team at the Peoria Mill with working smart, fostering creativity, and being dedicated to providing customers with top notch service and the highest quality products.

Steve Ottone is the holder of a BS and MS in Wood Science from the Pennsylvania State University.  His career started in the paper industry with work for Container Corporation of America, St. Regis Paper, and Champion International.  He then moved to the supplier side, working in latex supply to the paper industry for Reichhold, Inc., Dow Reichhold Specialty Latex, and Mallard Creek Polymers.  His current job is with SNP, Inc., a supplier of specialty coatings and rheology modifiers for a broad range of applications.  His area of emphasis is polymer and rheology modifier solutions to barrier coatings needs. 

Jennifer Pennington has almost 15 years of experience in the printing and publishing industry with a focus on papers and substrates.  She received her B.S. in Paper Science & Engineering from Miami University in 2001 and her M.B.A. from University of Dayton in 2008.

Upon graduation, she spent her first years as a Process Engineer for Georgia-Pacific’s Crossett Paper Operations working with Tissue, Fine Paper, and Board machines and helping to implement their lean manufacturing strategies.  In this capacity, Jennifer was exposed to a variety of printing applications and the importance of substrates to create the most appropriate printed solutions for packaging and graphic communications assets.

She began her work with Eastman Kodak in 2004 and has been working in their Inkjet division helping to launch new papers optimally designed for the production inkjet market.  Jen collaborates with paper companies, chemical vendors and research organizations worldwide to define paper options for Kodak’s drop on demand and continuous inkjet high speed printing technologies.  She has become an integral part of the sales cycle in helping customers learn the importance of paper and works with them to make the right choice to get the best quality possible.

Jennifer served as Alumni Council President for the Miami Pulp and Paper Foundation for 14 years and continues to be involved in recruiting young students to the Pulp and Paper industry. 

William (Bill) Platt is the General Manager at New Indy Ivex Specialty Paper in Peoria, IL. Bill’s 40 year career in the paper industry began in Alabama in 1977. He has lived and worked several places throughout the country including Wisconsin, Alabama, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Ohio, and now, Illinois. Bill’s extensive industry knowledge comes from his experience in wood yards, pulp mills, utility operations with boilers, turbines and evaporators as well as paper machines, coaters, and converting equipment of all shapes and sizes. While he finds the work to be exciting, he says it is “the people who really make it all worthwhile.” Bill holds a BS in Chemistry and Biology from Valparaiso University and a MS and PhD in Paper Science and Engineering from Lawrence University.

Kaitlin Rosen is currently working as a senior chemist at The Dow Chemical Company. Kaitlin graduated from Franklin and Marshall College in 2010 and earned her PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania in 2015. Since joining The Dow Chemical Company in 2015, Kaitlin has worked on the research and development of functional coatings for paper and paperboard. 

studied wood science and technology at the University of Hamburg. He worked for his PhD in Hamburg and Vienna (University of Natural Resources and Live Sciences, Vienna; BOKU) on a viscose fiber related topic. After two positions in industry at Lenzing AG and J. Rettenmaier & Söhne (JRS) he went back to University for a Senior-PostDoc, before returning to industry, joining Glanzstoff Group, also a producer of cellulosic fibers. Since about 1 ½ year he is with Lenzing AG again. Among other topics, he is responsible for the development of paper related fiber products. 

Ilkka graduated from Tampere University for Applied Sciences as B.S. in Paper Science and Engineering. His career in paper industry includes 7 years at a M-Real (formerly Metsa-Serla) paper mill in production and product development. Ilkka worked with CP Kelco (formerly Noviant Inc.) for 18 years in sales and technical service covering Europe and Asia and later Americas and the last 5 years with FP-Pigments in technical sales role for the America’s market area.

Balázs Tolnai graduated from the University of Veszprém in Hungary. He received his M.Eng. in Chemical Engineer in 1997, his M.Sc. in Engineering and Management in 1998 and he earned his Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences in 2000. He joined Kruger as a Process Engineer in 2000 and has had various positions at the company since. Presently he is General Manager Technology for the Industrial Products Division of Kruger. In his role he is responsible for the development of innovative new products and for the implementation of novel processes and technologies.

Working in the paper and board industry since 1990, John has excellent long-standing expertise focusing on sales strategy, product and business development as well as restructuring.

As Sales Director of Zanders, he is currently responsible for the sales and marketing team at Gohrsmühle paper mill situated in Bergisch Gladbach close to Cologne.