TAPPI appoints Lawton Roberts as New President, CEO 

USA – The Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI) has named Lawton Roberts as its incoming President and Chief Executive Officer, effective November 3, 2025. 

He steps in after Larry Montague’s retirement at year’s end, following 19 years at the organization’s helm.

Montague joined TAPPI in 2006 and guided its expansion into global markets while prioritizing safety programs and educational outreach. 

He also deepened ties with industry stakeholders in pulp, paper, and packaging segments. 

In a statement, Montague described his tenure as “the honor of a lifetime to serve this incredible community.” 

He added that the group always placed members at the forefront of its structure and noted the sector’s growth through collaboration.

Roberts, who has served as TAPPI’s Chief Operating Officer since 2006, emerged as the top candidate after a detailed search by the Executive Committee and an outside recruitment firm.

The Board of Directors selected him unanimously, citing his operational expertise and industry connections. 

Kim Nelson, TAPPI Board Chair, said Roberts offers “passion, institutional knowledge, and a clear vision for the future.” 

She indicated his role would maintain progress in member services and value chain support.

Through the end of 2025, Roberts and Montague plan a joint handover to ease the shift. 

In parallel, TerraSafe Holdings, a developer of bio-based barrier packaging solutions, has appointed Julie Crowe Willoughby as its chief executive officer. 

The move comes as the company pushes to expand its plastic-free materials into global markets.

Willoughby, who joined TerraSafe in early 2024 as chief technology officer, now takes the helm to guide the scaling of the firm’s polysaccharide film technology. 

Her responsibilities include directing the commercialization of products such as high-performance coatings, films, containers, and surface treatments that deliver barrier protection through renewable feedstocks and clean chemistry processes.

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