Bruce W. Janda, ResourceWise - Retired
Co-founder and Principal of InnovaSpec, LLC
Bruce Janda is a TAPPI Fellow leading tissue training courses. He brings nearly 50 years of experience in the paper and nonwoven industry, specializing in Tissue and Towel Processes and Products.
Bruce held positions in the tissue industry at Georgia-Pacific, Kimberly-Clark, and others, with roles in Product Development, Engineering, and Manufacturing. He worked on the supplier side at AstenJohnson as the Product Manager for TAD and Forming Fabrics and then as the North American Product Business Leader and Global Innovation Leader for Forming. Bruce worked for ResourceWise as a Business Information Consultant, helping customers make the best use of the FisherSolve® Next platform.
Bruce has extensive application experience in world-class, high-speed tissue and TAD machines in North America and Europe, both as a producer and supplier. He had the opportunity to participate in three new tissue machine projects as a process design leader, construction supervisor, and checkout/start-up leader. As a tissue product design leader, Bruce has worked on tissue projects in North America and Europe's consumer and commercial tissue grades.
Bruce holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from Michigan Technological University and is a member of the MTU Distinguished Academy of Chemical Engineering. He also holds an MBA from the University of Wisconsin—Oshkosh, an Executive Scholar Certificate from the Kellogg School of Northwestern University, and a Lean Sigma Black Belt Certification (focus on product development) from AstenJohnson. He holds 20 US patents, all related to tissue and papermaking.
Valmet Converting Faculty
Melanie Roy is a data driven Senior Service Specialist at Valmet
Paper Business Line, bringing over 20 years of hands-on experience in the manufacturing process, product development, and troubleshooting of tissue papermaking and converting. Known for her innovative solutions and unwavering dedication, Melanie has a knack for tackling complex challenges and delivering exceptional results. Her expertise and passion make her an invaluable asset to the team and the industry.
Michael Beno is an experienced mechanical technician who
began his career in 2016, building converting machines. Over the years, he transitioned to the Valmet Process Team, where he plays a pivotal role in pilot line trials, with a primary focus on embossing and product development. Mike has successfully led multiple pilot line trials that resulted in significant product enhancements and efficiency improvements. His expertise extends to customer facilities, where he conducts factory trials, product qualifications, equipment audits, and develops equipment efficiency improvement plans.
Jeremy Hoecherl is an experienced Paper Converting Trainer
with over 17 years in the industry. Specializing in the development and implementation of comprehensive training programs, Jeremy has a proven track record of enhancing operational efficiency and ensuring compliance with industry standards. With a strong background in both technical and mechanical maintenance roles, Jeremy excels at bridging the gap between production teams and management. His expertise also includes process optimization, safety protocols, and continuous improvement initiatives. Passionate about fostering a culture of learning and development, Jeremy is dedicated to empowering employees with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in a dynamic and competitive environment.
Matthew Wolosek has over 24 years of experience in the North
American tissue converting equipment industry. Starting as a mechanical service technician, he moved to the training department in 2020. Matt's expertise spans machine installations, commissioning of new equipment, technical upgrades, preventative maintenance, rebuilds/repairs, and operational/maintenance training. Currently, he is a member of the Process Team, focused on optimizing asset efficiencies.
Steve Francies is a folded product specialist at Valmet Tissue
Converting North America. He has over 30 years of experience in the tissue industry, primarily in the folded sector. Prior to joining Korber, he spent 10 years developing folders for Green Bay Engineering. With Valmet he has operated within several roles, such as service technician, production lead, trainer, project manager and product specialist with sales.
Sean Doran, Course Co-Chair
Sean Doran is a seasoned Project Manager and Technical Service
Specialist in the Valmet Paper Business Line, bringing over three decades of experience in the paper converting and manufacturing industry. Known for his exceptional customer service skills, Sean has adeptly supported various OEM's equipment and suppliers from operations and maintenance perspectives. His comprehensive understanding of the converting process highlights his expertise and commitment to industry excellence.
Additional Faculty
Stephen Kasik
Technical Sales, Osprey Corporation, Atlanta, GA
Stephen Kasik graduated from Southern Polytechnic University in
2009 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology, and then began his engineering career with FLIR before moving on to Zep Inc.
In 2014, Stephen joined Osprey Corporation in Atlanta, GA where he worked as a project engineer for the company. While in his engineering role with Osprey, Stephen’s responsibilities included equipment design, process air surveys, technical training, and project management of process air systems. At the beginning of 2020, Stephen was pulled into a technical sales role with Osprey to focus on strategic accounts in the Soft Disposable, Tissue/Corrugated, and Agriculture sectors. Over the past two years, his intimate technical knowledge has driven the successful execution of key projects from concept to implementation.
Stephen is a subject leader in process air systems with a key focus on those involving combustible dusts. His deep understanding of the capital equipment and production challenges involved have proven to be a valuable resource for Osprey’s clients and the industries it serves.
Joe Daugherty
Tissue Product Specialist, TKM
Joe started his industrial career with machine builder
Hanchett Manufacture a division of Mid-West Abrasives where he gained extensive knowledge in grinding dynamics and abrasive applications. It is this knowledge that he brings to the tissue paper industry applying it to the log saw blade sharpening process.
Joe joined TKM after a 25-year association with Alliance Knife Inc., having served as Vice President and Sales Manager. Since coming to TKM, Joe has travel extensively applying his mechanical and grinding knowledge to help reinvent how log saw blade sharpening is viewed. He has spent the last several years evaluating and testing CBN grinding wheel formulations and geometry helping to bring new ideas to a very old process.
Joe holds degrees in Mechanical Drafting and Design from Pitt Technical Institute along with a Bachelors of Business Administration and Associates in Child Psychology from Kent State University. Joe has serviced the industrial knife industry for 34 years and has extensive experience in cutting materials ranging from diamond steel plate to poultry.
Kris Pignone - Henkel
Tissue 202: Converting Operations Course
