History
The Mill Operations Technical Advancement Group, commonly known as MOTAG is a subcommittee of the Fiber Raw Materials Supply Committee in the Pulping Division of TAPPI. It was formed in April 1973, at the Airport Holiday Inn in Atlanta, Georgia.
The objective of the subcommittee was, and is, to provide a conduit for communications between the fiber industry, vendors, and consultants, to hear and discuss prepared presentations covering mill woodyard design and operational problems.
Original Committee Members
At the founding meeting in April 1973, the groundwork for the subcommittee was laid by:
Key Milestones
MOTAG-SOUTH formed in April at the Airport Holiday Inn in Atlanta, Georgia.
Jim Holekamp passed away in March. Under his direction the organization grew from fifteen to almost two hundred in attendance. The James A. Holekamp Memorial Scholarship was established in his honor.
Charlie Gardner relinquished his duties as Program Coordinator for health reasons. Bill Engelau took over both Secretary and Program Coordinator roles.
Charlie Gardner passed away in June. Sun Machinery spearheaded the creation of the Charles S. Gardner Scholarship Fund, giving MOTAG its second scholarship.
MOTAG-West was formed, expanding the organization to three regional subcommittees: MOTAG-South, MOTAG-North, and MOTAG-West.
Bill Engelgau passed away unexpectedly. Sam Caldwell assumed the roles of Treasurer, Secretary, and Program Coordinator.
Steve Northcross took over the Secretary position.
After 23 years at the Holiday Inn on Virginia Ave. in Atlanta, MOTAG-South moved to the Renaissance Hotel.
Attendees surpassed 250 people and sponsors grew to 39 tables. Alastair Twaddle of International Paper retired as Scholarship Chairman. Dave Stanley of WestRock, West Point, Virginia welcomed as new Scholarship Chairman.
50th Anniversary of MOTAG. Joanne Turnell and Sam Caldwell joined the Board of Directors. Bo Bergeron (Tricon Wear Solutions) became Program Coordinator, Chris Watson (Sun Machinery) became Treasurer, and Mike Wolfgram (Tricon Wear Solutions) became Secretary.
Chris Wolfgram (Tricon Wear Solutions) was appointed as Treasurer of MOTAG, succeeding Chris Watson of Sun Machinery.