PPC Introduces Inaugural J. Edward Woods Scholar Award to Honor Rising Stars in the Folding Carton Industry

The Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC) recently announced the launch of its inaugural J.Edward Woods Scholar Award. The award will be given annually to passionate and enthusiastic rising stars who work in the folding carton industry.

Named after the late J. Edward Woods, who served as chief executive officer of Gulf States Paper Corporation, the award honors Woods’ commitment to engaging future generations of paperboard packaging professionals through training and outreach. Award winners will receive a scholarship to attend PPC’s bi-annual Folding Carton Boot Camp, the association’s signature training event that focuses on all aspects of the paperboard packaging industry.

“My family and I are delighted to honor my father’s legacy by naming a Woods Scholar and empowering industry growth and next-generation learning through PPC’s Folding Carton Boot Camp,” said Doug Woods, Ed’s son and fellow paperboard industry veteran of Dixie Pulp & Paper. “It would take a person countless years of experience to be exposed to all of the topics covered in Folding Carton Boot Camp. Regardless of one’s background, everyone in the industry can benefit from this all-encompassing program.”

Woods received a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from the University of Colorado in 1956. Shortly after, he began his career in the packaging industry when he joined the sales team at Weyerhaeuser Company. Nearly a decade later, Woods joined Gulf States Paper Corporation. There he held numerous leadership positions before being named president and chief executive officer in 1995.

“Ed Woods was a generous and enthusiastic supporter of PPC and the paperboard packaging industry as a whole. He served as PPC’s Board Chair and received our association’s Robert T. Gair Award for lifetime achievement. He truly cared about the industry and was invested in our advancement and growth. I am pleased that his dedication and commitment will live on through this award,” said PPC president, Ben Markens.

PPC is accepting nominations through August 15, 2021. All member companies may nominate one employee for the award and scholarship. Nominators will answer a short series of questions regarding their candidate’s engaged approach to learning, where they see this person growing in the industry, and examples of times the candidate showcased passion, commitment, and dedication in the paperboard packaging industry. 

The award recipient will be named J. Edward Woods Scholar of the Year, receive a scholarship to attend Folding Carton Boot Camp, and be honored at PPC’s Fall Conference, Oct. 27-29, 2021, in Savannah.