Michael T. Brown

Michael T. Brown is a chemical pulping specialist at WestRock specializing in technical support for chemical pulping, bleaching and recausticizing processes for the 17 chemical pulp mills across the company. He earned a Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.) in Pulp and Paper Technology from Miami University and has been a member of TAPPI since 1994.

 Prior to Michael’s employment with WestRock, he was a Pulping Application Consultant and Regional and North America Pulp and Paper Consultant Manager with Honeywell International, Sales Consultant with AccuRay Corporation and Pulp Mill Superintendant at St. Regis Paper Company.

 Michael lives on a 269 year old family farm and enjoys genealogy, music/keyboard playing, clean thought-provoking humor, and helping others.

1. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

My first real interest started more than a decade ago when I started a book on my family genealogy narrative. It continues to be a work in progress and while I have completed about 100 pages, it has only scratched the surface. Since then I have started a book on humor, a book on “Life Lessons Learned” and an autobiography as part of the genealogy work. I highly recommend everyone write an autobiography for their future descendants.

2. What is your work schedule like when you’re writing for a TAPPI publication?

I wrote the 100+ page chapter on process control in "Brownstock Washing Fundamentals and Practices" and helped edit the publication with Peter Hart.  I have a very full schedule and travel about 70-80% of the time. This work was primarily done on nights and weekends  in my spare time.

3. What advice do you have for anyone considering writing for a TAPPI publication?

Pick a subject that you would like to understand more deeply and make it a learning experience so that when your work is completed you are smarter than you were before you began. Leverage your efforts so that you can train, present and share your learning with others.