Aug 8, 2018   SOURCE: BusinessWire

Columbia Pulp Announces New Vice President, Production Manager at New Tree-free Pulp Mill in Washington

Columbia Pulp, LLC, North America’s first tree-free pulp mill, announced Monday the appointment of Mike Schock as Vice President of the company and Tony Waldo as Production Manager for the Lyons Ferry, Wash. Facility and the Pomeroy, Wash. Pilot Plant.

Ultimately, the Lyons Ferry Pulp Plant is expected to provide 90 jobs in the communities of Dayton, Starbuck and surrounding areas while eliminating the need to burn 230,000 tons of straw waste annually. Construction of the Pomeroy Pilot Plant was recently completed and is anticipated to employ approximately eight full-time employees running two shifts, five days per week.

“We’re extremely pleased to make these additions to our teams,” Columbia Pulp CEO John Begley said. “Mike Schock and Tony Waldo will contribute tremendous experience and talent to Columbia Pulp.”

Schock brings more than 35 years of experience in paper making and paper converting, having spent the last 25 years holding positions in the Paper, Industrial Converting and Rigid Paper and Closures divisions of SONOCO Products Company in Hartsville, S.C.

Most recently, Schock served as Director of Global Product Development and R&D – Rigid Paper and Closures Division. He retired from SONOCO in January 2017.

Waldo spent more than 20 years in the nuclear and pulp and paper industries, with a strong background in leading manufacturing organizations. He also holds extensive experience in managing laboratories, product development, engineering and software development.

Prior to joining Columbia Pulp, Waldo was Base Mill Manager for 15 years at Boise Cascade in International Falls, Minn. and Mission Analysis Manager at Washington River Protection Services in Richland, Wash. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from Washington State University.

About Columbia Pulp

Columbia Pulp’s offices are located in Dayton, Wash. The company operates a Pilot Facility in Pomeroy, Wash. and is finishing construction on a state-of-the-art industrial scale mill in Starbuck, Wash. Both facilities convert wheat straw and seed alfalfa into pulp and biopolymers, used in the manufacture of sustainable, tree-free paper and packing products, as well as numerous specialty chemical applications. To learn more about the company, please visit www.columbiapulp.net.