Roger Smith
Roger Smith
Professional Member
Kingsport, Tennessee
There’s a familiar saying that “good things come in threes” and if so, TAPPI member Roger Smith is living large! A professional in the papermaking industry for 31 years, he’s also been married to his best friend Laura for 31 years, has three successful children, been a TAPPI member for 23 years and is actively involved in three industry organizations: TAPPI, PIMA and Couch Pit University (CPU). And, three years ago he was honored with PIMA’s Brookshire Moore Superintendent of the Year award.
For the past nine years (3x3!), Roger has worked for Domtar and a predecessor company. He currently serves as the K1 Paper Machine Manager, but his past professional history is literally steeped in all things paper. He has made numerous paper grades such as virgin linerboard, corrugating medium, recycled linerboard, recycled gypsumboard liner and MG specialty tissues. He has also managed paper mills and was also responsible for converting operations. Before making paper his profession of choice, Roger earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Wisconsin/Madison, and took leadership coursework at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business.
Roger’s reasons for joining TAPPI (and PIMA) back in 1988 were very straightforward. “I wanted to rub elbows with senior managerial and technical leaders in the industry to learn from them with the hope of making myself a better employee,” he says. Did it work? According to Roger, and then some as he was able not only to meet and learn from many of the greats in the paper industry, but to count them among his friends over the years. To this day, he reports, no matter what city he is traveling to or through he can turn on his BlackBerry and find an industry expert connected to TAPPI. “I often call on the people I have met through my TAPPI/PIMA association for help and advice when I have technical or process problems, or need business references. These resources have helped me out of problems many times.”
That is why Roger likes to “give back” to the industry by being involved with TAPPI’s Young Professionals (YP) Division and annual Student Summit. A charter member and contributor to the YP Division since 2008, he and his employer, Domtar, were instrumental in bringing the very successful 2011 Student Summit to Kingsport. This month he is scheduled to speak at the 2012 event in Jacksonville, Fla. Roger’s commitment to “tomorrow’s leaders” doesn’t end at our industry’s edge either. He and his wife also actively volunteer with the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kingsport, Leadership Kingsport () and the Kingsport United Way – which may be Roger’s own personal way of putting to rest that other old axiom – “three’s a crowd.”
Q. Why Did You Decide To Join TAPPI?
I got involved in both PIMA and TAPPI on the recommendation of one of my former mill managers (Don Jones). He was PIMA Executive Chair back in the late 80s/early 90s. In those days I just wanted to “rub elbows” with senior managerial and technical leaders in the industry to learn from them with the hope of making myself a better employee equipped to progress in my chosen field – papermaking. I was fortunate enough to spend time with, learn from, and become friends with some great papermakers like Brookshire Moore, Omega Rogers, Gene McCormick and Gene Shurling.
Q. Please describe your involvement with TAPPI over the years.
I have been involved on PaperCon steering committees, PaperCon Program committees, and the PIMA Executive Council. Additionally, I have also served as a TAPPI Student Summit speaker and with the support of my boss, Charlie Floyd, and company was able to bring the January 2011 event to Kingsport. In January, I will be a speaker at TAPPI’S Student Summit 2012 in Jacksonville. I am also a charter member of and contributor to TAPPI’s Young Professionals Division.
Q. How has TAPPI helped you in your career pursuits?
I’ve made contacts with many great leaders and technical papermakers. I often get teased by my peers that no matter what city I am traveling through I am sure to have some contacts in my BlackBerry. I often call on the people I have met through my TAPPI/PIMA association for help and advice when I have technical or process problems, or need business references. These resources have helped me out of problems many times.
Q. Tell us about some of your interests outside of TAPPI and your professional life.
I believe all of us are compelled to serve! In the industry, my TAPPI and PIMA activities have allowed me to “give back” and most importantly, I hope, to assist in the development of those who will keep our great industry going long after I retire. I consider it a duty to work with and set an example for young people rising in our industry who will become the future leaders. In my private life I feel the same sense of duty to serve my community. I am Treasurer of the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kingsport. I also serve on the board of Leadership Kingsport and have served various roles on the annual Campaign Cabinet for the Kingsport United Way. I become a Board Member for the United Way of Greater Kingsport in 2012. My wife supports and assists me on all of these activities. We both believe that we have always gotten back more than we have given in so many positive ways.
Q. Can you share a unique or fun fact about yourself?
I married my best friend, Laura, 31 years ago, about two weeks before I started my first job and we continue to cherish each other and our three grown children. All three are working towards different vocations (culinary chef, clinical audiologist, and speech pathologist) and we are very proud of them all. I like to watch sports, hunt, travel with family, work out, ski, visit fine restaurants (son is a chef), and do building projects with my wife – as long as she lets me rest occasionally! She is the craftsman, I am just the helper. We have owned 11 homes, built four, including the last one where Laura served as general contractor and we did almost all of the finish work ourselves. I think she is just as happy getting a new tool or air compressor as a gift as she is a diamond.
Q. Closing sentiments?
The paper industry is a small, intimate fraternity. The contacts and friends I have made through my involvement in TAPPI and PIMA have served me well in helping me solve business problems, but more importantly by allowing me to make many great lifelong friends. It has helped me acquire diverse knowledge that just isn’t available in a single facility like where you work. Going to PaperCon each year is something we really enjoy. It’s like going to a college reunion for us.