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David McDonald receives TAPPI engineering award

Canadian pulp and paper industry veteran David McDonald is one of two consultants to be honored by TAPPI’s engineering division.

McDonald, president of JDMcD Consulting, is the recipient of the 2016 TAPPI Engineering Division Technical Award and Beloit Prize. Don Sorenson, Amec Foster Wheeler, has been named the 2016 TAPPI Engineering Division Leadership and Service Award and winner of the Amec Foster Wheeler Prize.

McDonald has worked for more than 38 years in the pulp and paper industry, currently as president of JDMcD Consulting and previously with FPInnovations as vice-president, university programs and strategic partnerships. He was also vice-president, research and education with Paprican, and worked as a research associate and mathematician for Abitibi-Price.

“I have learned a lot from many talented and knowledgeable people while attending engineering division conferences and committee meetings over the years,” said McDonald. “Looking at the list of previous winners and thinking of other worthy candidates, I am humbled that I have been chosen for this award.”

McDonald has published over 65 papers in refereed journals. He is a fellow of both TAPPI and PAPTAC and has received many awards including PAPTAC’s highest technical award, the John Bates Gold Medal. He is a senior advisor for the Marcus Wallenberg Prize and an adjunct professor at McMaster University.

Don Sorenson has 44 years of engineering and consulting experience in the forest industry, including 18 years with J. E. Sirrine and 26 years with Amec Foster Wheeler. His principal functions within Amec Foster Wheeler have included strategy and concept development for a significant number of forest industry capital projects.

Sorenson is a member in the National Society of Professional Engineers and the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry.

“My experiences in the pulp and paper industry have been great. TAPPI provided excellent opportunities for learning, for finding mentors and perhaps in some small way helping others,” said Sorenson.

Sorenson will receive his award on September 26, during the opening session of the 2016 PEERS Conference. McDonald will receive his award during the Awards Reception at PaperCon 2017.