Release No. 054-14

Contact:

Hakim Fobia (202) 690-0488

WASHINGTON, March 10, 2014 -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has appointed 12 members to serve on the first national Paper and Paper-Based Packaging Board. Members will serve two, three, or four-year terms of office.

“I am confident that these experts will serve the paper and paper-based packaging industry well,” Vilsack said. “This new program will make a positive impact in communities all over the country.”

The 12-member board consists of 11 manufacturers -- including 10 members from four regions and one at-large member from any region -- and one importer. From the four regions, six members are from the South, one member is from the Northeast, two members are from the Midwest, and one member is from the West. The at-large manufacturer member, who may be from any region, is from the South.

Appointed Paper and Paper-Based Packaging Board Members, by region are:

South region - John D. Williams, Fort Mill, S.C.; Michael P. Doss, Atlanta, Ga.; Ann Wrobleski, Memphis, Tenn.; Mark W. Kowlzan, Lake Forest, Ill.; Steven C. Voorhees, Norcross, Ga.; and Rodger D. Fuller, Hartsville, S.C.

Northeast region - Jennifer L. Miller, Boston, Mass.

Midwest region - Brian E. Janki, York, Pa.; and Michael A. Weinhold, Memphis, Tenn.

West Region - Christian Fischer, Atlanta, Ga.

At-Large position - Julie Schertell, Alpharetta, Ga.

Importer - Bernd Eikens, Augsburg, Germany.

The first Paper and Paper-Based Packaging Board meeting is scheduled for March 25, 2014, 2:30 - 6:00 p.m., at the New York Palace Hotel in New York City. Contact Kimberly C. Spriggs by phone at (202) 720-9915, toll free at (888) 720-9917, or e-mail Kimberly.Spriggs@ams.usda.gov for additional meeting information.

The USDA encourages board membership that reflects the diversity of the individuals served by the research and promotion program. All eligible women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to seek nomination for a seat on the board.

Research and Promotion Programs are industry-funded, were authorized by Congress, and date back to 1966. Since then, Congress has authorized the establishment of 21 research and promotion boards. They empower agricultural industries, including the forest products industry, by establishing a framework for them to pool resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets, and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight, helping to ensure fiscal responsibility, program efficiency and fair treatment of participating stakeholders.

Visit www.ams.usda.gov/FVPromotion to learn more about research and promotion programs.

Get the latest Agricultural Marketing Service news at www.ams.usda.gov/news or follow us on Twitter @USDA_AMS. You can also read about us on the USDA blog.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).