In Memoriam: Wayne H. Gross

Longtime TAPPI President and Executive Director Wayne H. Gross passed away on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016. He was 69.

Wayne retired in 2006 after serving the association for more than 30 years. He joined TAPPI in 1974 as a division administrator and later served as director of meetings and exhibits, director of international operations, and executive director of the Pulp Chemicals Association. He was named a TAPPI Fellow in 1994 for his admirable service to the association and the industry. He became TAPPI's sixth executive director and COO in 1996. Later, his title was changed to TAPPI president.

 

During his career with TAPPI, Wayne’s involvement with its multiple technical divisions resulted in significant enhancements to the association’s inner workings. Initially, he perceived the need for a separate department designed strictly for planning the association’s meetings, helping to form TAPPI’s meetings and exhibits department. Under his leadership, the department was recognized by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives (CESSE) as one of the nation’s leading meeting and exhibits operations. 

 

In 1990, Wayne helped create the TAPPI International Operations Department. As director of the department, he understood TAPPI’s commitment to serving its growing international membership and expanded TAPPI’s activities in Brazil, Canada, China, Finland, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Sweden, and the U.K. among numerous other countries.

Wayne became executive director of the Pulp Chemicals Association in 1991. While still serving as director of international operations, he worked to revamp TAPPI’s vital statistics program and moved its headquarters from New York, N.Y., USA, to Atlanta. In addition to his many achievements with TAPPI, he was renowned among association executives.

In 1992, Wayne received the Georgia Society of Association Executives’ most prestigious honor, the Clifford M. Clark Award, in recognition of his exemplary personal leadership and service to his association, the association community, and the general community. He was one of the few association executives to earn the designation of Certified Association Executive, Certified Meeting Professional, and Certified Exposition Manager. 

Wayne was a long-standing member of and chaired both the ASAE Convention and Exposition Section and International Section Councils. He was selected as an ASAE Fellow in 1989 and awarded the ASAE Diamond Award of Excellence in 1990 before being appointed to the ASAE Board of Directors in 1998.

His numerous awards and successes attest to his abilities and an effective and respected leader. He left a permanent mark on TAPPI’s history, and we are proud to have his name gracing its chronicles.