Recognizing extraordinary contributors and emerging leaders
(ATLANTA) March 17, 2025 – TAPPI is pleased to announce it will bestow the title of Fellow on seven members and also named this year’s recipient of the Young Professional of the Year award.
Fellow is an honorary title bestowed upon a small percentage of TAPPI’s membership and is given to individuals who have made extraordinary technical or service contributions to the industry and/or the Association.
The following individuals have been named 2025 TAPPI Fellows:
- Tim Bradley, Technical Sales Representative, MiniFIBERS, Inc
- Michael J. Farrell, Executive Vice President, Mills Division, Graphic Packaging International
- Michael Forbes Ph.D., Engineering Fellow, Honeywell Process Solutions
- Orlando Rojas, Ph.D., Professor, University of British Columbia
- Cathy Ridgway, Head of Surface & Optical Characterization- Research and Development Services, Omya
- Gregory W. Welsch, Binders - Global Innovation and TS&D Leader, Trinseo LLC
- David M. Zerr, Vice President Research and Development, Pulmac Systems International
In addition to those who are being recognized for meritorious service, the title Fellow may also be conferred upon TAPPI Board chairs, vice chairs, and directors at the end of their terms of office, and upon Gunnar Nicholson Gold Medal Awardees and Herman L. Joachim Distinguished Service recipients.
This prestigious group will be honored Sunday, May 4, 2025 at the Fellows Luncheon during TAPPICon, May 4-7, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minn., USA.
The Young Professional of the Year is an annual honor that identifies aspiring young leaders in the global forest products and associated industries. Eligible nominees are age 35 or younger with less than 10 years of industry experience.
Hannah Haynes, Associate R&D Scientist, Smurfit Westrock, has been named the TAPPI 2025 Young Professional of the Year. Haynes graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and joined Smurfit Westrock in 2022. In her current role, Haynes focuses on recycling and sustainability, developing test methodology, leading pilot trials, and working with mills to implement sustainable solutions. She co-leads Smurfit Westrock’s Women in Science and Engineering group.
The award recognizes young professionals who have made significant contributions to the forest products industries in the following areas: leadership, community service, and problem-solving contributions to scientific or engineering projects.
Winners are granted one full year of TAPPI membership and are invited to attend their division-specific TAPPI conference during 2025 to receive their award. Haynes will receive her award at TAPPICon.
About TAPPI:
TAPPI is the leading association for the worldwide packaging, paper, pulp, tissue and converting industries, and publisher of Paper360° Magazine, Tissue360° Magazine and TAPPI Journal. Through information exchange, events, trusted content and networking opportunities, TAPPI helps members elevate their performance by providing solutions that lead to better, faster and more cost-effective ways of doing business. TAPPI celebrates 110 years of service in 2025 for the forest products industry with a series of special events throughout the year. For more information, visit TAPPI’s website.
