Data-Driven Decision Making with Process Analytics - Making sense of big data in the pulp and paper industry

Peter currently works as Director: Research and Innovation for WestRock. He has been employed with WestRock for 29 years in various research, production and engineering positions of increasing responsibility. Peter worked in production at both the Wickliffe, KY, and Evadale, TX, mills and spent five years living in Brazil halftime as part of a major mill expansion project which included a new paper machine and a serial #1 patented pulping line which he helped develop.

Peter was born and raised in northern New Hampshire and graduated from Colebrook Academy. From there he attended the University of Maine for a double major Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering and pulp and paper technology which he obtained with highest honors and distinction. Peter also obtained a Master’s of Science in chemical engineering from the University of Maine. After receiving the Master’s, Peter worked for the University of Maine and assisted with the relocation of the pilot paper machine to Jenness Hall and on various soft money projects.  He moved to Atlanta, GA, to get a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. His dissertation was on the formation and release of AOX during kraft pulp bleaching.

Upon completion of his Ph.D., Peter joined Westvaco (later MeadWestvaco, MWV, and WestRock) as a research chemical engineer and worked on various optimization, cost reduction, and cluster rule compliance projects. He also worked on batch digester over-pressurization issues and fundamental understanding projects along with several material and energy balance models of various mills. From there he moved into production with different positions including pulp mill superintendent, process engineering manager, and technical assistant to the mill manager. Peter rejoined R&D in 2002 working on multiple mill improvement efforts.  In this role, he collaborated with multiple vendors, universities, outside research consortia, and government agencies. He became an individual contributor for several years until he was chosen to help lead the corporate R&D structure for the company.

Peter has published more than 100 peer reviewed technical articles and edited and co-wrote three textbooks for TAPPI. He has been a TAPPI member since 1981 and served in leadership roles at both the University of Maine and Georgia Tech. He has been in the leadership ranks of both Southeastern and Gulf Coast Local Sections and served as chair of the Alkaline Pulping and Bleaching Committee and the Pulp Manufacturing Division. Peter has served two terms as editor in chief for TAPPI Journal (TJ) and one term as assistant editor. He has served on the TJ editorial board for about 20 years. Peter has also served on the TAPPI board of directors.

Leigh Kinne has been the Regional Sales Manager for Trimble Forestry for a year, specializing in industrial data analytics. She has an MBA in management and leadership, and a dual Bachelor's in Humanities and Mass Communications. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the technology sector, providing business solutions from SaaS, ERP, Networking and Telecommunications.