About us
Building the Future
Mission & Values
The Paper Science and Chemical Engineering program is committed to preparing students for successful technical careers in the pulp, paper and allied industries. This mission is accomplished by promoting excellence in instruction, undergraduate research opportunities, industrial internships, and involvement in professional organizations.
Organized in 1974
The University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Paper Science and Chemical Engineering Foundation (PS&ChE Foundation) was organized in 1974 by Dr. Michael J. Kocurek and the Paper Science Department Staff, along with Lake States TAPPI, industrial and business leaders. The purpose of the Foundation was to form a tax-exempt, non-profit organization to promote and receive philanthropic gifts to support the Paper Science Program at UWSP. The management of the Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors composed of up to thirty-five (35) voting members, each elected for a three-year term. The Board, along with the Foundation staff, also works to enhance the image and presence of the Paper Science and Chemical Engineering Program to incoming applicants, alumni, friends, corporations and the general public. Private gifts and donations raised by the Foundation traditionally support scholarships, academic programs, facility research, pilot equipment, and other areas that are not, or cannot be supported from state appropriations.
Our History
Board of Directors
Leslie Petrie
President (2026-2028)
TAPPI
LCP@Consulting
Kurt Mehlberg
VP / Treasurer (2026-2028)
Quality Solutions Manager - Pulp, Paper, Packaging, Tissue
Domtar
Ian Meinke
Secretary (2026-2028)
Product Manager
AstenJohnson
Don Guay
Past President (2024-2026)
Head of Technology, Engineering and Reliability
Ahlstrom
Robert Brinkman
Ex Officio
Chancellor
UWSP
Dr. Roland Gong
(non-voting)
Chair, Department of Paper Science & Engineering UWSP
Rod Loucks
(non-voting)
Executive Director
PS&ChE Foundation at UWSP
Brian Sloss
Ex Officio
Dean, CNR
UWSP
Board Members
Tom Baugnet
Operations Manager
Georgia Pacific
Todd Fisher
Regional Manager
MATIV
Don Gennrich
Mill Manager
Packaging Corp of America
Dennis Perpich
SVP - Operations NA
Billerud Corporation
Jason Zblewski
VP and GM
Stevens Point Operations Ahlstrom
Dan Hietpas
Sales, Product Innovation & Marketing Manager
BPM Paper
Bob Mihalski
Director of Mill Sales & Trades
Green Bay Packaging
Nathan Koeppel
Account Manager
Hydrite
Kevin Sistler
Retired
Randy Kopchinski
Defoamer & Tolling Sales Manager
Applied Material Solutions, Inc.
Jesse May
Purchasing Manager /
Supply Chain
Voith Group
David Schwerbel
Executive Committee / Treasurer
LS TAPPI / N. Central PIMA
Nick Krueger
Plant Manager
Sonoco
Nick Reinke
Recycled Pulp Specialist
Smurfit Westrock
Brian Burmeister
Manufacturing Excellence International Paper
Chris Williams
Director of Operations - Shawano Mill
Little Rapids Corp.
Jim Patterson
(non-voting)
Operations Manager,
Ahlstrom Mosinee
Jason Kreski
District Manager
Nalco
John Acker
Operations Manager, Menasha Paper Mill
Essity Corporation
Dan Cullen
Sr. District Sales Manager
Solenis
Mark Hassman
Technical Director
Kruger Products
Chris Satori
Technical Strategist
Kimberly-Clark
Eli Swanson
Attorney
Michael Best & Friedrich
Emily Demchik
(non-voting / Early Profess.)
Lead Scientist
Kimberly-Clark
Committees
Executive and Nominating Committee
Don Guay
Leslie Petrie, Chair
Kurt Mehlberg
Roland Gong
Rod Loucks
Ian Meinke
Scholarship Committee
Don Guay
Leslie Petrie, Chair
Kurt Mehlberg
Roland Gong
Rod Loucks
Don Gennrich
Randy Kopchinski
Donor Relations Committee
Dan Hietpas, Chair
Nathan Koeppel
Eli Swanson
Bob Mihalski
Endowments Committee
Don Guay
Leslie Petrie
Dean Benjaminn
Tom Baugnet
Don Gennrich
Kevin Sistler
Ian Meinke, Chair
Academic Advisory Committee
Roland Gong, Chair
Dean Benjamin
Emily Demchik
Investment Management Committee
Leslie Petrie
Kurt Mehlberg, Chair
Rod Loucks
Recruiting Committee
Leslie Petrie, Chair
Rod Loucks
Roland Gong
Caitlin Alba
John Acker
Mark Hassman
Eli Swanson
Bob Mihalski
Jesse May
Golf Committee
Kevin Sistler, Chair
Don Guay
Kelly Guay
Dan Cullen
Casey McDaniel