Faces of Leadership
Georgia-Pacific leaders are encouraged to bring together people with diverse knowledge, experience and perspectives and to leverage those differences to innovate, grow and create long-term value. Here we learn about two leaders and how they are using their unique backgrounds and experiences to add value to the company and to lead others.
David Mason, Jr., Plant Manager
Columbus, Ohio, Chemical Plant
David Mason brings more than a degree in chemistry to his role as manager of the Columbus, Ohio, chemical plant. He also brings 21 years of experience with the U.S. Army National Guard and experience as an environmental engineer. The diverse experiences in his life and career have prepared David for his current role, which has involved leading efficiency and environmental changes at the plant.
Following a 1997 explosion, the plant had to win back community trust, and Mason and his team have made that a priority. The facility was the first in the state to qualify for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's National Environmental Performance Track (NEPT) designation, which recognizes top environmental performers.
Striving for excellence and serving the community isn't just part of a job for Mason—
it's his passion. As a major in the Army National Guard, Mason serves on an elite emergency
response team trained to respond to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear emergencies
in the U.S. and overseas within 12 hours of an incident. There are only 12 such teams trained
in this role in the country.
Mason is transforming the definition of diversity at Georgia-Pacific. He represents a minority in leadership, and has used his military experience, and previous job experiences, to help him lead. "Georgia-Pacific is a place where people are treated with dignity and respect," said Mason. "You are recognized for your contributions.""
Jan Nichols, General Manager
Denton, Texas, Packaging Plant
Jan Nichols believes that life is an adventure and every day should be better than the last.
"It's our day-to-day successes that I'm most proud of," said Nichols. "To be successful,
you have to be adaptable because circumstances change very quickly."
Nichols has worked at the Denton, Texas, packaging plant since startup in 1994, and has worked as general manager since 2001. She tackles her role at the plant as an adventure, and when she takes time off from the plant, she goes on other adventures. She and her husband have been to Africa twice on safari, and will travel to New Zealand in 2007.
The track record at Denton is impressive. In 2006, the plant's sales were at an all-time high, productivity was up 4 percent over 2005, and the safety performance continued to improve.
The sheet feeder plant at Denton manufactures corrugated sheets for area box makers, which supply
customers that sell just about any product that fits in a box—from fruits and vegetables to complex
electrical equipment. Since orders are custom made and the delivery time is a moving target,
Nichols says being adaptable is a business necessity.
"I work with a great group of people who firmly hold the belief that we can continue to improve," said Nichols. "Working another day safely, winning a new customer, trying a new approach - even if it's more difficult … continuous improvement is the greatest achievement we've had."
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