A message to TAPPI Members from Larry N. Montague, TAPPI President & CEO
As we begin 2025, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support of TAPPI and wish you a happy, healthy and successful new year.
At this time each year, many companies, organizations and individuals plan for the future – both near-term and far. It also represents the opportunity to reflect on the past, set new goals, and embrace change that fosters opportunity.
We are no different at TAPPI. For nearly two decades, we’ve followed a strategic roadmap that has produced many successes, including 17 consecutive years in the black, targeted membership growth and numerous partnerships that have opened doors to new products and services benefitting members and the forest products industry as a whole. We look forward to celebrating 18 years in the black when the FY25 fiscal year ends on August 31, 2025.
I have been reflecting on the years since I started in 2006. I was deeply honored to take the helm at TAPPI, and remember the challenges we had to overcome and opportunities seized. And, yes, even some disappointments along the way. Hard to believe how time has flown, but now is the time for change.
Four years ago, I began working with TAPPI’s Executive Committee of the Board of Directors to implement a five-year succession plan to ensure a seamless transition to new leadership. At the November Board meeting, I confirmed with the Executive Committee my plan to retire on December 31, 2025. And while that decision brings mixed emotions, I am excited by the extraordinary opportunity to help TAPPI recruit its next generation of leadership.
My pledge to all of you as we move through this process is to regularly communicate progress on the recruitment. As always, my focus is on achieving the best for our members. I deeply appreciate the unending support you have shown me through the years, and the countless friendships made over nearly two decades.
Let me close with something I’ve been known to say on occasion: “There are two types of people in this industry – TAPPI members, and those who should be.” And that is something which will never change.
Respectfully,
Larry N. Montague
TAPPI President & CEO
TAPPI
http://www.tappi.org/