Inside the Paper Machine: A Preview of TAPPI’s Paper Machine Operations Course

Interested in the Paper Machine Operations Course in September? 

Learning Outcomes for the Precourse Webinar: 

1. Understand the scoop and audience of Paper Machine Operations
2. Better understand TAPPI Academy and it’s offerings
   
   

Who Should Attend:

• Paper Company
  • Machine Superintendent
  • Engineer
  • Operator

Course Chair, Tom Rodencal & Associates

Tom Rodencal is a graduate of the SUNY College of Forestry and Environmental Science with a BS degree in Paper Engineering. He first worked for Hammermill Paper Company as a process engineer. In 1978, he joined International Paper at their research center in Tuxedo Park, NY in the Process Diagnostics Group. In 1983, he transferred to the Manufacturing Services group in Mobile, AL. He then managed the diagnostics group when the group was transferred to Mobile.

After working at the Georgetown, SC mill in both a technical and production role, he was assigned to work on the project team for a 1200 tpd fine paper machine at IP Selma, AL. He continued his career with Georgia Pacific, and later Domtar Paper in Atlanta, GA where he worked in various corporate roles. He completed his corporate career working for Nalco Chemical as a senior consultant.

Tom is a product expert on high ash chemistry with implementations in North America, Mexico, and Brazil. Since 2016, he has been president of Tom Rodencal & Associates, a consulting company to the paper and allied industries. In this role, he has provided operator training, troubleshooting, paper machine auditing, and due diligence to various companies. Tom is a TAPPI Fellow, past chairman of the TAPPI Paper & Board Division, and past TAPPI Board director. In 2017, he was awarded the TAPPI Distinguished Service Award. He is a past speaker for the TAPPI Wet End Operations and TAPPI Pressing and Drying seminars. He is also a past member of the advisory board for the Specialty Papers Conference.