TAPPI has announced the recipients of the Herman L. Joachim Distinguished Service Award and the Gunnar Nicholson Gold Medal Award, to be handed out at a May 4 dinner in Atlanta.

TAPPI has announced that Willis J. Potts Jr. will receive the 2010 TAPPI Herman L. Joachim Distinguished Service Award at a May 4 dinner during the 2010 PaperCon Conference at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta. Established in 1994, the Herman L. Joachim Distinguished Service award recognizes an individual for voluntary leadership and service that has significantly and demonstrably contributed to the advancement of TAPPI.  The award carries a cash prize valued at more than $50,000.

“Willis’ long career as a manager and administrator sets him apart from many other leaders in the forest products industry,” said Larry N. Montague, president of TAPPI. “In addition to his contributions in the field, he saw TAPPI through its recent reorganization and restructuring, bringing additional value to our membership and strength to the association.”

Potts, a former board member and chairman of TAPPI, has actively supported TAPPI on all levels, from student activities and regional chapters to numerous conferences and exhibits.

TAPPI also announced that Richard J. Kerekes, Ph.D., professor emeritus at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, will receive the 2010 TAPPI Gunnar Nicholson Gold Medal Award at the May 4 awards dinner. TAPPI’s most prestigious annual award, the Gunnar Nicholson Gold Medal Award caries a cash prize valued at over $60,000.

Dr. Kerekes’ contributions to research, technology and education for our industry over a 38-year period are exemplary and make him a deserving recipient of TAPPI’s highest honor,” said Montague. “He has made numerous significant contributions to papermaking technology during his career, including founding the Pulp and Paper Center at the University of British Columbia, where he established a research program between UBC and Paprican.”

Kerekes spent the bulk of his career with Paprican, the Pulp and Paper Research Institute of Canada, now known as FP Innovations, serving from 1971-2001. He was named honorary professor at the University of British Columbia in 1978, a position he held until 2001, when he was appointed full professor upon his retirement from Paprican. He served as director of the Pulp and Paper Centre at the University of British Columbia from 1983 until 2005, when he retired from UBC.

For more information, visitwww.tappi.org.