Jarod Pierce Email and Phone Number

Overseeing a lab crew and 9 labs in the pulp mill areas

Conducted consistency tests around tanks and bleaching towers for two fiber lines to collect data for a mill-wide process variability reduction project. Vessel consistency data will be used daily to build a rate surge model that will be used to determine required process changes based on tower levels, paper machine pull, and recovery operations.Researched, organized, planned, and conducted a hydrogen peroxide EoP stage bleaching trial that decreased chlorine dioxide use by 20 percent and total bleaching cost by 11 percent during the three-week duration.Created chemical use tracking spreadsheets to track daily chemical use and costs and to analyze the cost- effectiveness of an automatic chemical applicant trial with an estimated $1.2 million/year savings.Assisted in process troubleshooting around chip screening, brownstock washing, and bleaching processes.Investigated mechanical failures related to pumps, washers, and bleached filtrate recycling equipment.

As a member of the Soda Recovery Optimization Team, I assessed sodium flows throughout the mill to identify points of sodium loss and minimize the cost of makeup chemicals. To improve product testing, I designed and built a humidity-controlled plexiglass chamber capable of maintaining 3% relative humidity in order to test the score cracking properties of heavyweight paper grades. I also conducted 778 scuff tests as the preliminary step in creating a new spec that would allow new scuff test machines to be implemented at the mill and throughout the company. By the end of my rotation, I had been entrusted with $39,000 worth of customer complaint testing.

Responsibilities included organizing philanthropy events, such as volunteering opportunities and outreach events, with various organizations & local schools, and directing committee members to do the same.

Trained in knowing how to engage a diverse community, be part of a team of leaders, demonstrate awareness and support for diverse needs in the workplace, and effectively communicate with superiors and peers.

I was tasked with assessing the performance capabilities of specific areas in paper mills, most notably the headbox system and compressed air system at two different mills. I also got firsthand experience at mill visits to look at the equipment and areas in person. Assessing performance and visiting mills was just the beginning of my experience, as I later helped with the design of the headbox and compressed air system. Using CAD and PIPE-FLO diagrams with measured data, I assisted in choosing materials and creating project packages for vendors to bid on.

I assisted customers in choosing the correct soccer gear (cleats, balls, etc.), established a customer-friendly environment, and worked in a diverse team to order, organize, print, and ship team orders of jerseys, shorts, socks, and other soccer gear.