Derek Lawless

In my almost 10 years at International Paper, I have learned a wide variety of different skills. I started in pulp make down which taught me how to safely operate mobile equipment, and did so with no incidents. I also had to be efficient with time management and organize tasks in order of importance. After make down, i moved up to the #2 winder for 6 years. The winder helped build my teamwork skills as well as become adept at troubleshooting various issues that the winder may have had. For the last 2 years on the winder I was the senior operator. In that role I followed instructions from the backtender as well as managed my winder crew to ensure safe and structured operating procedures. After the winder, I moved into the backtender position for 2 years. In that role, I managed the entire steam system for the paper machine. This involved adjust steam as necessary, diagnosing any issues with steam, and lockouts. I also instructed and provided assistance to the winder in any issues that they might have had. I also lead various jobs during shut downs such as dryer and press felt installations, guide rope installation, as well as doctor blade removal and replacement. The last couple of years I have moved the outside operator position and have been learning the fourdrinier as well as a numerous other systems that are needed to operate a paper machine. Over the course of all operating positions, I have also learned various computer programs needed to perform each position. Those include Outlook email, Parcview, writing work orders in SAP, and the camera system on the machine to diagnose sheet break and runnability issues.