Chuck Klass graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor's degree in pulp and paper technology and received a Master of Business Administration degree from Pace University. His 55+ years of paper industry experience include technical and operating positions with Hamilton Paper, Oxford Paper, Union Camp and Westvaco; editorial experience with Paper Trade Journal; technical service/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 specialized in coating, surface sizing and development of value-added papers; clients include producers of coated paper and paperboard worldwide and suppliers to the paper industry. He is a frequent guest lecturer at universities. Mr. Klass has been active in TAPPI and has served as Chairman of the Paper and Board Manufacturing Division, the Coating Process Committee, and on the TAPPI Board of Directors. He is a TAPPI Fellow and has received the Paper and Board Manufacturing Division Award, the Coating & Graphic Arts Division Leadership & Service Award, the TAPPI Distinguished Service Award and the TAPPI Gunnar Nicholson Gold Medal. He has numerous publications and has spoken at many TAPPI, CPPA, PIMA, and Smithers-PIRA Conferences, Seminars and Short Courses. He also serves as Adjunct Professor of Paper and Chemical Engineering at Western Michigan University and teaches the course “Principles and Practices of Coated Paper Manufacture” and the TAPPI Short Courses “Introduction to Pigmented Coating Processes”; “Coated Paperboard”; “Blade Coating”; “Containerboard Manufacture”; “Improving Paper Machine Operation”; “Base Stock for Coating,” and “Sizing.” He has 7 patents on papermaking and paper coating. His research interests include development of recyclable barrier coatings, digital printing papers, high graphic quality containerboard and lighter weight paper-based packaging. He has been selected for induction into the Paper Industry International Hall of Fame in 2016.