PIMA announces 2006 leadership award winners

Glenview, IL (April 10, 2006) – In a break from tradition, the Paper Industry Management Association is announcing the winners of its prestigious leadership awards prior to the International Leadership Conference, which will be held May 21-24 at Disney’s Contemporary Resort in Orlando, Fla.

There were multiple nominations for each of the awards, making the work of the selection committee difficult. “We had many fine nominees for each award,” said PIMA President Jeff Hamilton of SAPPI. “I’m extremely proud that these extraordinary candidates are being recognized this year.”

Below are this year’s winners, who will be presented their awards in ceremonies at the conference:

2006 Executive of the Year
Steven R. Rogel
Chairman, President & CEO
Weyerhaeuser

According to one nominator, “While there is always more companies can do to create value, Weyerhaeuser has made some important first steps. They’ve successfully integrated the acquisition of Willamette, they’ve paid down nearly $6 billion of debt since 2002, they continue to generate very strong free cash flow, they've made the difficult decisions needed to close capacity and sell assets in businesses that do not generate adequate returns, and they’ve recently increased their dividend and announced a share buyback plan.”

The award is the highest recognition PIMA bestows in its annual program, and is traditionally 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.

2006 Brookshire Moore Superintendent of the Year
Mike Griffith
Paper Mill Superintendent
Georgia-Pacific

Honoring PIMA’s roots as the former American Pulp and Paper Mill Superintendents Association, the award recognizes a papermaker who has shown the high personal standards and professional management qualities that contribute to the betterment of those under his or her management and in the industry.

Mill Manager of the Year
Gaynor L. "Bud" Nash
VP and Resident Manager
Bowater

The award recognizes the mill manager who has best demonstrated outstanding leadership, management and organizational skills leading to improved results at the facility for which he or she is responsible. Nominees for the award are judged on four criteria: skill in people development; application of best management practices; effective use of external resources; and change management.

Thomas F. Sheerin, Sr. Service Award
David Hickman
Thiele Kaolin

The award is presented to a supplier for outstanding contributions to the pulp and paper industry and/or the community.

Delano "Del" Boutin Division Service Award
Eric Wohltjen
NEPIMA Publicity Committee Chair and National PIMA Liaison
Honeywell

The award is presented to pulp and paper or affiliate members for devoted service to a PIMA Division. The award recognizes long-term dedication of PIMA members at the local division level.

Ray H. Cross Community Service Award
Tom Bullock
Millwright/Pipefitter
GP Cellulose

The award pays tribute to pulp and paper industry professionals who have rendered outstanding service to their communities by involvement in the activities of local business, educational, civic and philanthropic organizations.

Kenneth H. Phillips Specialist Group Award
Art Rankin
Appleton (retired)

The Kenneth H. Phillips Award is named for a founding member of PIMA’s Purchasing and Affiliates Group, and honors outstanding service to a PIMA specialist group.

Student of the Year
Christopher Young
IPST

The award recognizes and supports outstanding students enrolled in paper science programs. Young will receive a $500 cash award at PIMA’s annual leadership conference, to be held in Nashville, Tenn., June 26-29, 2005, and his school’s PIMA chapter will also receive $500.

New for 2006 are two awards in the IT realm of the pulp and paper industry.

The “Technologist of the Year” Award recognizes a member of a technology or IT team for a paper company who has best demonstrated outstanding leadership, management, and organizational skills leading to improved results at the facility for which he or she is responsible. Nominees for this award are judged on four criteria: skill in people development; application of best management practices; effective use of external resources; and change management.

The “Michael P. Johnson PIMA IT Affiliate Award” is presented to an IT affiliate/supplier for outstanding contributions to the pulp and paper industry and/or the community.

This year’s inaugural winners are:

Ole Fadum of Fadum Enterprises will be presented the IT Affiliate Award and Roger Grahl of Georgia-Pacific will be presented the Technologist of the Year Award.