2011 PIMA Management Division Awards Announced

TAPPI and PIMA are pleased to announce the selection of the following individuals for the 2011 PIMA Management Division Awards.

Mike Jackson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Verso Paper Corp., has been selected as the association's 2011 Executive of the Year. The award is PIMA's highest honor and is bestowed on senior-level executives in the pulp, paper or converting industries for excellence in management and outstanding contributions to the industry as a whole.

Mike Bruner, Mill Manager with International Paper's Courtland Mill has been named Mill Manager of the Year. This 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.

Rodger F. Brzezinski, Mill Supervisor at NewPage's Escanaba Mill has been named the Brookshire Moore Superintendent of the Year. This award recognizes the mill superintendent who has shown high personal standards and professional management qualities that contribute to the betterment of those under his or her management and in his or her company. Rodger will also be inducted into Couch Pit University. Couch Pit University Fraternity (CPU) is an invitation only organization of long-time papermakers. In order to become a member of CPU, you must have been nominated for membership and accepted into the fraternity by the other members or win the Brookshire Moore Superintendent of the Year award.

Jef Howell, Purchasing Manager of Verso Paper Corp.'s Androscoggin Mill in Jay, Maine, will receive the Ray H. Cross Community Service Award. This award pays tribute to pulp and paper industry persons who have rendered outstanding service to their communities by involvement in the activities of local business, educational, civic and philanthropic organizations.

Micki Meggison, Technical Director, Sappi Fine Paper North America, Westbrook, Maine, will receive the Delano L. "Del" Boutin Division Service Award. The Del Boutin Division Service Award is presented to members for devoted service to a TAPPI/PIMA Local Section. The award recognizes long-term dedication of TAPPI/PIMA members at the local level.

Peter R Gaddie, Key Account Manager, Nalco Company, will receive the Thomas F. Sheerin Sr. Service Award. The Thomas F. Sheerin, Sr. Service Award is presented to a supplier for outstanding contributions to the pulp and paper industry and/or the community.

Nicholas Knowlen, A Senior Chemical Engineering student at the University of Maine, will receive the Student of the Year award, which recognizes and supports outstanding students in paper science programs.

The 2011 PIMA awardees will receive their awards during the 2011 PaperCon Conference in Covington, Ky., near Cincinnati, Ohio, May 1-4. See www.papercon.org for more information.

TAPPI
http://www.tappi.org/