President
Klass Associates Inc
Mr. Klass is recognized as an expert in development of coated and other value-added papers, processing and use of recycled and non-wood fibers, application of innovative technology to the paper industry and commercialization of new technology and product developments. He has guided several startup companies to exit through acquisition and/or IPO.
He graduated from Western Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in pulp and paper technology and received a master of business administration in marketing management from Pace University.
Mr. Klass’ six decades of paper industry experience include technical and operating positions with Hamilton Paper, Oxford Paper, Union Camp, and Westvaco; editorial experience with Paper Trade Journal; sales/marketing management positions with Merck Chemical, Lockport Felt, Asten Group, and Inventing/BTG Coating Systems.
In 1986 he became a consultant to the paper industry specializing in development of value-added and coated paper grades, recycled fibers processing and applications, paper and board made from non-wood fibers and marketing of innovative products and technology to the paper industry.
Mr. Klass serves Adjunct Professor of Chemical and Paper Engineering at Western Michigan University. He is a Fellow of TAPPI, the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry and has served on the association’s Board of Directors and received the TAPPI Distinguished Service Award. Mr. Klass has also been honored with the Gunnar Nicholson Gold Medal – the paper industry’s highest award for commercializing technical and engineering developments on a global basis. In 2016 he was inducted into the Paper Industry International Hall of Fame.
He has numerous publications on paper technology and marketing management. He developed and taught the TAPPI short course, “How to Market Effectively to the Pulp and Paper Industry.” He also teaches TAPPI courses on “Improving Paper Machine Operations,” “Linerboard and Corrugating Medium Manufacture” and “Paper and Paperboard Coating.” He serves on the Editorial Boards of Paper 360° and Tappi Journal.
He serves on the Board of the Western Michigan University Paper Technology Foundation and has been elected to the PTF Hall of Fame and the Western Michigan University Academy of Engineering Excellence.