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With support from the UW-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources & College of Letters and Science
Sustainability News
November 2013
In This Issue
WIST names new advisory board members
Safety webinar
Sustainable Business Conference
Research, Education, and Laboratory Services
 

pilot paper machine 

 

 

 

WIST provides laboratory services, research and education to create sustainability solutions for businesses and organizations. Technology and ideas developed by WIST and its partners will spur economic growth in Wisconsin and the region and help all of us preserve a healthy environment for future generations.


Follow-up Links

 

Annual Report October 2013 

 

  
WIST names four new members to Advisory Board
WIST has expanded its advisory board to add new voices from a key Wisconsin agricultural sector and the UW System. The institute also appointed a new member from the waste management/recycling sector. Kelly Rooney of Advanced Disposal, an inaugural board member, relocated with a new position in that company and resigned from the board. She is replaced by Meleesa Johnson.

With the additions, the board now comprises 16 leaders from a broad spectrum of industry, research, and economic development areas. The board provides guidance to the institute as it shapes its priorities and works to transfer new technology from the laboratory to commercial use.

New board members

Add a description David A. Brukardt is Associate Vice President for Economic Development for the University of Wisconsin System. He leads the UW System Office of Economic Development, developed in 2012 to connect UW faculty and staff talent, innovative spirit, and entrepreneurial energy with Wisconsin businesses in order to foster job growth and to build better communities. Brukardt serves in a joint appointment with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). In 2013, Brukardt was appointed to the Governor's Council on Workforce Investment. (Click on photo to continue reading profile on WIST website) 


Meleesa Johnson has more than 10 years of advanced leadership in the solid waste resource recovery and recycling industry. She is the director of solid waste management for Marathon County, operating solid waste resource programming and facilities for central and north-central Wisconsin. Recently, she held an adjunct faculty position with the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, teaching waste resource management. Meleesa graduated, with distinction and honors... (Click on photo to continue reading profile on WIST website)


Duane Maatz is the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association. He represents potato growers throughout Wisconsin while working to increase the Association's political involvement and influence by maintaining positive relationships on state and federal legislation, playing instrumental roles on issues that affect members such as disaster, risk management, international trade regulations, and agricultural policy. Duane leads a potato and vegetable trade association with over 350 members and an annual budget of approximately $1.5 million. (Click on photo to continue reading profile on WIST website.)

Richard Pavelski is CEO and owner of Heartland Farms, Inc., and Heartland Agricultural Marketing, LLC, and has ownership of and holds offices in a number of other businesses including Horizon Properties, LLC, and Adventure 212. He also serves as a director and is a shareholder in a number of businesses including River Cities Bank and Wound Zoom, LLC. He has held more than a dozen organization offices in the past including President and Director, Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association; Director, national Potato Council; and President of Wisconsin Agribusiness Council. (Click on photo to continue reading profile on WIST website.)

The new board members join current board members Ed Buehler, vice president, specialty papers,for NewPage; Tad Campana, vice president of operations for Services Plus, Inc.; Lori Dehlinger, executive director of the Portage County Business Council; H. Tony Hartmann, chief executive officer of Great Lakes Ag Energy; Barb LaMue, regional account manager for the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation in Green Bay; Dave Mead, chief executive officer of C5.6 Technologies; Leon Ostrowski, founder and coordinator of Central Wisconsin Business Angels; Fran Podvin, chairman of the board of Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., and head of Podvin Law Firm; Troy Runge, assistant professor in the Biological Systems Engineering Department at UW-Madison; Peg Sullivan, executive director at Centergy, Inc.; Tom Sweeney, Preconstruction at J.H. Findorff and Son; and Theodore H. Wegner, assistant director of the United States (U.S.) Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory. 
WIST safety webinar is December 5
Join us for this safety webinar from 12 noon to 2 p.m. December 5: Safe Methods to Prevent Bacteria Generated Gas Explosions in Pulp and Paper Mills.

Bacteria in paper mills are capable of generating explosive gases under ideal conditions. This has led to deadly explosions in several mills. There are proven techniques and procedures that can prevent such accidents. This webinar is geared for process engineers, technical superintendents, safety directors and mill suppliers. Instructor Dave Vachavake worked in the pulp and paper industry for more than 20 years. He was a technical superintendent at the Tomahawk, WI, PCA mill when that mill experienced an explosion from bacteria-generated gas. Vachavake has written about explosion-prevention methods for the TAPPI journal Paper 360.

Cost is $80.

Register online at http://conta.cc/19iuylT
or register by phone by calling Angie Hauer at 715-346-2331.

Don't forget to register 

 

The 6th Annual Wisconsin Sustainable Business Conference

When: Friday, December 13th, 2013
7:45am-3:30pm

Where: Lands' End Headquarters, Dodgeville, WI
*busing options will be provided from several locations

Who: CEOs, Senior Sustainability Officers, Sustainability Staff, Supply Chain and Logistics Staff, others interested in
business sustainability

Click on this link or the image above to register: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/495078