ATLANTA, Ga. – The TAPPI Board is proud to announce a new Young Professionals Division focused on providing a wide range of products, services and learning opportunities for TAPPI members that are college graduates, recent graduates and young professionals in the industry. The division will serve as a forum for career development and unite all areas within TAPPI to provide services and initiatives targeted at the Young Professional segment. The Division Leaders are John VanderKolk, YP Division Chair, Kemira; Sarah Dawkins, YP Division Vice Chair, O’Neal Inc and Abigail Cameron, YP Division Student Chapter Liaison, Western Michigan University.

“Young Professionals is an excellent group within TAPPI for students, recent graduates, and experienced members of the paper industry. The Young Professionals division will help connect the members of TAPPI and secure a bright future for the organization and the industry" noted Sarah Dawkins, YP Division Vice Chair, O’Neal Inc.

“Young professionals are an essential part and the future of our industry and the association. The new Young Professionals Division will address their particular information needs and interests as well as reinforce their connection to TAPPI by providing this emerging group of professionals with the tools they need to advance their careers and industry knowledge,” notes Larry N. Montague, TAPPI President and CEO.

“We’re very excited about our new Young Professionals Division.  This new division of TAPPI will provide a conduit for the new, fresh, creative and driven minds entering our industry to connect with the vast array of experience and resources available within TAPPI.  Our goals, among others, are to help them get a faster, more impactful start to their careers and accelerate their contributions to the success of our industry. ", notes Thomas J. Garland, TAPPI Chairman.

The Young Professionals Division provides TAPPI members opportunities to gain knowledge through hands on training via round table discussions and conference sessions, opportunities for leadership and an outlet to experience different professional areas, access to mentors, resources to help advance their career and the chance to network with peers and industry professionals. Want to get involved click here.