Hassan Loutfi
M. Hassan Loutfi, P.E.
Professional Member
Kaukauna, WI
When Christina FitzGerald, Business Development and Marketing Manager for Baisch Engineering in Kaukauna, WI, came across Member Spotlight on TAPPI’s website, she turned directly to her email and dispatched a quick message: “Have I got a member for you!”
That member was M. Hassan Loutfi.
Hassan is a Senior Process Consultant/Project Manager at Baisch and has been with the company for three years – but he’s been a TAPPI member since 1974! His professional acumen, which combines mill operation, process design engineering and project management, enables him to offer a uniquely broad range of services tailored to fit the specific needs of his clients. His areas of expertise include: pulping and bleaching process design; process simulation; non-wood pulping and papermaking; pulp mill biorefinery /cellulosic biofuel production; and project management. A frequent author and lecturer, he not only attends many TAPPI conferences and classes, he often presents at them as well. Most recently he co-presented “Use of Ligno-bioproducts in the Lime Kiln as Supplemental Fuel” at TAPPI’s International Bioenergy & Bioproducts Conference.
Throughout his membership, Hassan says the opportunities to meet and interact with peers helped him develop those professional skills which serve him so well now. He considers the years invested in active membership as a valuable resource – through participation both as a “student” and a “teacher” in technical forums, as well as his involvement in committee activities. And, after 37 years, this multi-talented, multi-lingual member knows what he’s talking about!
Q. Why Did You Decide To Join TAPPI?
I knew that membership would give me the opportunity to network with colleagues, suppliers, and research institutions, as well as the chance to visit mills. I wanted to attend TAPPI conferences, workshops, and committee meetings to supplement what I had already learned in school, having already earned two Masters Degrees in Chemical Engineering (University of Alexandria, Egypt and University of Ottawa, Canada). I also wanted to receive the publications that come with membership, and the Standards and TIPs which I use often.
Q. Please describe your involvement with TAPPI over the years.
In addition to having authored TAPPI PRESS publications and TAPPI JOURNAL articles, I am active on several committees, including the Pulp Bleaching Committee, Non-Wood Committee and the Engineering Committee. I have also been active in two Local Sections: Maine/New Hampshire and Lake States TAPPI. Among my membership achievements are chairing the 1988 International Pulp Bleaching Conference in Orlando, and serving as Technical Program Chair in 1985, and presenting numerous papers, seminars and workshops at TAPPI events.
Q. How has TAPPI helped you in your career pursuits?
TAPPI provided me the opportunity to meet and interact with my peers and to develop my professional skills. I found TAPPI to be an excellent resource to learn through participation in technical forums; and to enhance my personal standing via involvement in committee activities.
Q. Tell us about some of your interests outside of TAPPI and your professional life.
I enjoy gardening and botanical gardens. I built my own greenhouse to cross-pollinate flowers. I especially like exotic flowers. I also love reading, listening to classical music and deep sea fishing.
Q. Can you share a unique or fun fact about yourself?
In addition to English, I am fluent in Egyptian Arabic and can get along in Canadian French. I also have four children, one of whom, Amy, followed in my “love of engineering” and has a Ph.D. in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics and currently teaches in Orëbro, Sweden.
Q. Closing sentiments?
Reflecting back on 37 years of TAPPI membership I could easily confirm that it was one of my best career enhancing moves. My involvement in TAPPI activities was a key to building my network of professional contacts and resources.