TAPPI and PIMA appoint new members of Young Professionals Committee

Fourteen young professionals in the pulp, paper and converting industry have joined TAPPI/PIMA Young Professionals Committee. The Young Professionals Committee is a group shaped by soon-to-be college graduates, recent graduates, young professionals in the industry and accomplished professionals who want to build connections and provide networks for its members. Its purpose is to encourage younger individuals to get involved and advance the industry by building from fresh, creative and driven minds. 

‘These young professionals are the future of our industry and we are very pleased to have them join the Young Professionals Committee,’ said Larry N. Montague, president and CEO of TAPPI (Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry). ‘Bright young talent will keep the pulp, paper and converting industry strong and thriving and we look forward to their contributions.’ 

The new members and their affiliations are: Laura Beauchesne, White Birch Paper; Maggie Gerhart, International Paper; Zachary Growe, Weyerhaeuser; Nichole Hartley, Ashland; Natalie Hughey, International Paper; Tim Li, Amec; Jamie Percy, Alpac; Eric Schweighofer, Rio Tinto; Derek Sorensen, Alpac; Michael Subilia, Sappi Fine Paper; Dan Sweeney, Utah University; Emily Tomes, Ashland; Ashley Urbanski, BHS; and Bailey Wandyg, Naval Surface. 

Currently the Young Professionals Committee is working on installing a new Young Professionals track at 2011 PaperCon, heading a Young Professional Round Table at the 2011 Student Summit in Kingsport, Tennessee, incorporating networking events at all TAPPI conferences, and reaching out and engaging newly graduated young professionals.

‘Being active and apart of the Young Professionals Committee allows a young person to strengthen their leadership and team building skills, advance their speaking experience, and develop vendor contacts,’ Montague said. ‘This in turn creates a better-rounded employee and will cause the learning curve to be much easier.’

The committee is in need of additional young professionals to be a part of the Young Professional Technical Track at 2011 PaperCon, which will include speakers, session chairs, and co-chairs. For each of the sessions, there will be one professional and one young professional teamed up to work together to produce an excellent session.

The rewards for a young professional to get involved include fine-tuning leadership, speaking, and presentation skills, the ability to work side by side with respected industry experts, and the chance to experience the ins and outs of a professional and technical conference in the paper industry.

Those interested in becoming involved and active on the Young Professionals Committee and 2011 PaperCon should contact Libby Hardison at lhardison@tappi.org.

Click here for more stories about TAPPI on L&L.com.