Bryan John Ortman
West Monroe,USA
Summary
Dynamic professional with a robust background in technical and marketing roles within the SBS, FBB, CNK, CRB, and Fine Papers industries. Specialized expertise in coatings and optimizing mill operations to enhance cost efficiency while successfully developing new market opportunities. Played a pivotal role in transitioning a CNK mill from a hybrid hardwood/pine blend to a fully pine composition. Proven leadership in managing Black Belts, Technical Service Representatives, Process Engineers, ISO programs, and Quality Labs across multiple mills, complemented by substantial experience in marketing and sales initiatives.
Overview
39
39
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Research & Development
Graphic Packaging International
West Monroe, LA
05.2008 - Current
- Managed R&D Group for the Mills. The group consisted of three Research Scientists, an Applications Manager, and five Technicians. The R&D facility had multiple labs with advanced analytic equipment and a large pilot coater, which included a two-slot curtain coater
- Responsible for coatings at two CNK Mills, two SBS Mills, and three Recycled Mills. Main goal was to reduce coating costs without sacrificing quality and working closely with Procurement and Mills. Projects generated $80 MM savings in 20 years.
- Developed new products for SBS, CRB and CNK board. The new products involved barrier grades, masking grades, compostable grades, and higher strength grades.
- Assisted Mills with evaluating new technology. Examples are curtain coaters, and metal belt and hot soft calenders.
Continuous Improvement and Quality Manager
Graphic Packaging International
West Monroe, LA
11.2005 - 05.2008
- Oversaw quality assurance lab operations and led a team of four salaried and 18 hourly employees. Championed continuous improvement initiatives to elevate lab performance and maintain ISO compliance.
- Collaborated with production and sales teams to optimize operations by transitioning a CNK mill from HW/Pine to all Pine, consolidating multiple coatings into a single coating, and restructuring grades while maintaining quality standards.
- Directed strategic projects within Blackbelt group to drive operational efficiency and cost reduction, resulting in $6 million in savings.
- Facilitated customer engagement through regular presentations during site visits. Partnered with sales team to enhance customer satisfaction and drive sales initiatives.
Product Development and Marketing Manager
Tembec Paperboard
Montreal, Canada
01.2005 - 11.2005
- Collaborated with mill teams to innovate and develop new grades for entry into higher value markets.
- Researched and wrote articles showcasing advantages of Tembec’s commercial printing grades for target audiences.
SBS Graphics Marketing Manager, Global
MeadWestvaco Corporation
Stamford, CT
11.2000 - 01.2005
- Executed global strategic plans segmented by market to enhance grade mix and profitability.
- Executed comprehensive product launch strategy in collaboration with management team, driving alignment across sales, marketing, manufacturing, customer service, product development, and technical sales service.
- Formulated detailed business plan and implemented commercial printing web program, resulting in substantial web growth over two years.
- Analyzed market trends to penetrate niche accounts and crafted distinctive value propositions that resonate with target audiences.
Group Leader of Product Development/R&D
Temple-Inland
Evadale, TX
03.1997 - 11.2000
- Led product development initiatives to create innovative coated products for diverse board markets. Oversaw improvements in machine efficiency for coated grades. Evaluated and integrated new supplier products to enhance offerings.
- Designed and implemented new product solutions for cigarette packaging, coated thermal bases, coated polycups, and premium coated liners to enhance market offerings.
- Extensive field experiences with the following printing methods: Sheet-fed offset, web-fed offset, flexographic, rotogravure and ink jet.
- Extensive field experience with folding carton converting issues, such as die cutting, packaging, embossing, and hot melt and aqueous glueability. Developed internal test to predict aqueous and hot melt glueability.
Manager of Quality Assurance, Technical Service and Process Engineers
Temple Inland
Evadale, TX
07.1996 - 03.1997
- Oversaw quality lab operations, leading a team of seven salaried and twenty hourly employees in the QA lab and sample department. Developed and implemented training initiatives for quality lab staff to enhance performance.
- Directed management of technical service department, supervising three technical representatives and a manager.
- Cultivated strong relationships with customers and partnered with sales to enhance sales. Delivered presentations to customers during routine visits to showcase product benefits.
Supervisor of Coating Development
Temple-Inland
Evadale, TX
04.1994 - 07.1996
- Oversaw three process engineers within coating development group. Engaged with sales, marketing, production, suppliers, and customers to drive project success.
- Consolidated coatings from nine to four grades, while expanding market opportunities and significantly reducing waste during production transitions.
- Collaborated with suppliers to achieve cost reductions in coating formulations and processes, ensuring quality standards remained intact.
Senior Research Chemist
Westvaco Corporation
Laurel, MD
05.1990 - 04.1994
- Led initiatives within the bleached board and packaging group. Oversaw start-up operations for No. 2 PM at Covington. Drove development of C2S cover grades targeting commercial printing and sports card sectors.
- Managed technical service requests to ensure timely resolution and customer satisfaction.
Research Chemist
Westvaco Corporation
Laurel, MD
05.1987 - 05.1990
- Led initiatives within fine papers group to innovate product offerings. Oversaw design of size press and coating formulations for new web and sheet-fed products. Evaluated coating formulations and processes to optimize high-speed runnability. Developed print tests to proactively address commercial print challenges.
- Coordinated efforts with mill managers and engineers to design and execute comprehensive pilot and large-scale mill trials.
- Collaborated in the startup of an off-machine coater and contributed to innovation in coated web-offset and rotogravure grades.
Education
Ph.D. - Inorganic Chemistry
Rice University
Houston, TX01-1987
Bachelor of Science - Chemistry and Math
Friends University
Wichita, KS01-1980
Skills
- Coating expertise
- Customer insight
- Design thinking
- Project management
- Technology development
- Cross-functional teamwork
Accomplishments
· Developed new products for SBS, CRB and CNK board. The new products involved barrier grades, masking grades, compostable grades, and higher strength grades.
· Worked with Production and Sales to significantly reduce costs at a CNK mill by moving it from HW/pine to all pine, and from multiple coatings to one coating, without sacrificing quality and meeting the requirements of existing and new customers.
· Successfully completed the launch of a new product as part of a management team that included sales, marketing, manufacturing, customer service, product development and technical sales service.
Timeline
Director of Research & Development
Graphic Packaging International
05.2008 - Current
Continuous Improvement and Quality Manager
Graphic Packaging International
11.2005 - 05.2008
Product Development and Marketing Manager
Tembec Paperboard
01.2005 - 11.2005
SBS Graphics Marketing Manager, Global
MeadWestvaco Corporation
11.2000 - 01.2005
Group Leader of Product Development/R&D
Temple-Inland
03.1997 - 11.2000
Manager of Quality Assurance, Technical Service and Process Engineers
Temple Inland
07.1996 - 03.1997
Supervisor of Coating Development
Temple-Inland
04.1994 - 07.1996
Senior Research Chemist
Westvaco Corporation
05.1990 - 04.1994
Research Chemist
Westvaco Corporation
05.1987 - 05.1990
Bachelor of Science - Chemistry and Math
Friends University
Ph.D. - Inorganic Chemistry
Rice University
Patents and Publications
- U.S. Patent No. 5,505, 820, April 9, 1996 “Method for Providing Enhanced Smoothness for a Paper Web” Assignee: Westvaco Corporation, Authors: Douglas W. Donigian, Suzanne S. Fenton and Bryan J. Ortman
- U.S. Patent No. 5,425,851, June 20,1995 “Method for Improving the Printability of Web Offset Paper” Assignee: Westvaco Corporation, Authors: David B. Cason, Paul A. Huijing, Eric Johnson and Bryan J. Ortman
- TAPPI Journal, 75, 161-169, (1992) “Mechanism and Prevention of Coat Weight Nonuniformity Due to High Speed Bl Coating,” Ortman, B.J. and Donigian, D.W.
- The Journal of Physical Chemistry, 94, 7973-7977, (1990) “Reactions of Small Carbon Clusters with Water in Cryogeni Matrices. The FTIR Spectrum of Hydroxyethylcaberene”, Ortman, B.J., Hauge R.H and Margrave, J.L.