In the Spotlight - Jay Kaplan: TAPPI's Member Resources Keep Him on the Cutting Edge
Member Jay Kaplan has been associated with TAPPI since 1994 when he was living in the Chicago area working for Stone Container. But it wasn't until years later that he finally took full personal advantage of all the benefits inherent in TAPPI membership, "the industry's best resource for technical support and information on emerging technologies and cutting edge science."
Having been mentored early in his career by serveral long-time TAPPI members, Jay says their influence set the groundwork for his future involvement. Through the years he has practiced in numerous meetings and shows at both the local and national level, and is now very involved in SuperCorrExpo, the largest tradeshow in the western hemisphere catering to the corrugated industry. "It's through events like these that you form and nurture professional relationships that help drive sustainable business improvements that may not have been achieved as quickly or at all without the common ground and opportunity that TAPPI provides."
Jay also believes this exposure to emerging technologies, technical expertise, and experts from outside his own company have played an integral role in his professional growth. Now serving as the Manager for Learning an Organizational Development for Corrugated Packaging at RockTenn, he says that use of TAPPI's website, the eLibrary, technical support, and industry news are all important elements to stay on the cutting edge of your career. And, furthermore, Jay puts his actions where his words are. Not content to just tell his peers and fellow employees about the benefits of membership, he recently brought a new group of new and future production managers to TAPPI's headquarters in Norcross, Ga., USA, for a tour and afternoon of learning. "I believe they left feeling a lot more informed about what our industry has to offer," he said.
To read more about Jay's professional accomplishments and personal interests, be sure to visit this month's Member Spotlight page.
TAPPI
http://www.tappi.org/