ATLANTA, Ga. – TAPPI is pleased to announce the 2016 TAPPI Engineering Division award winners.David McDonald, President of JDMcD Consulting Inc. is the recipient of the 2016 TAPPI Engineering Division Technical Award and Beloit Prize. Don Sorenson, Amec Foster Wheeler, has been named the 2016 TAPPI Engineering Division Leadership and Service Award and Amec Foster Wheeler Prize winner.

David McDonald has worked for over 38 years in the pulp and paper industry, currently as President of JDMcD Consulting Inc. and previously with FPInnovations as Vice-President, University Programs and Strategic Partnerships, with Paprican, as Vice-President, Research and Education and with Abitibi-Price, as a Research Associate/ Mathematician. 

“I have learned a lot from many talented and knowledgeable people while attending Engineering Division conferences and committee meetings over the years,” said McDonald. “Looking at the list of previous winners and thinking of other worthy candidates, I am humbled that I have been chosen for this award.”

McDonald has published over 65 papers in refereed journals. He is a fellow of both TAPPI and PAPTAC and has received many awards including PAPTAC’s highest technical award, the John Bates Gold Medal. He is a Senior Advisor for the Marcus Wallenberg Prize and an adjunct professor at McMaster University. 

Don Sorenson has 44 years of engineering and consulting experience in the forest industry, including 18 years with J. E. Sirrine and 26 years with Amec Foster Wheeler. His principal functions within Amec Foster Wheeler have included strategy and concept development for a significant number of forest industry capital projects. Over the last decade, he has especially focused on capital effective business solutions, examining projects in North America, Europe and Southeast Asia. Currently, Don is a senior consultant in the Forest Industry market for Amec Foster Wheeler.

Don is a member in the National Society of Professional Engineers and the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry. 

Don graduated from Clemson University in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He began his career in process engineering, enjoying the period of rapid forest industry growth of the industry in North America. He obtained his professional engineering registration in 1977 and is licensed in 12 states. 

“My experiences in the Pulp and Paper Industry have been great. TAPPI provided excellent opportunities for learning, for finding mentors and perhaps in some small way helping others,“ said Sorenson.  

TAPPI congratulates both award winners and will honor Sorenson on Monday, September 26, 2016, during the opening session of the 2016 PEERS Conference at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville- Riverfront Hotel in Jacksonville, Florida. McDonald will receive his award during the Awards Reception at PaperCon 2017.