How One Summer Sparked a Career in Pulp and Paper

Alumni Questionnaire, Industry Professional Questionnaire

When Sarah Loner attended the UMaine Pulp + Paper Foundation’s Consider Engineering summer program in high school, she had no idea it would forever influence her future. “That one decision completely changed my life,” she says. “It set me up for an amazing experience at the University of Maine and a wonderful career in the pulp and paper industry.”

Sarah graduated from UMaine in 2011 with a degree in Chemical Engineering, supported every step of the way by a UMPPF scholarship. During college, she completed three co-op terms at SAPPI in Westbrook, Maine, where she got firsthand experience in mill operations.

Upon graduation, she entered Nalco’s Accelerated Sales Engineer training program in Naperville, Illinois. “At the end of this training, I was moved to Anderson, SC to start up a brand-new tissue machine,” Sarah explains. From there, she transitioned to O’Neal Engineering in Greenville, SC, gaining design and project management experience, including a major machine rebuild project converting a printing and writing machine to fluff pulp.

Now based in Anderson, South Carolina, Sarah is a Senior Key Account Manager at Solenis, developing customer relationships and solving real-world challenges in sustainability and operations. “I work with the customer team to bring them new ideas and programs and support existing chemical product applications and performance. I also work on cost saving and sustainability opportunities, in addition to maintaining daily operations,” she explains.

Sarah credits both UMPPF and the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI) with helping shape her professional path. “Both have been instrumental in my career and professional journey. I encourage joining an outside group or organization to help advance your career,” she shares.

Over the years, Sarah has stayed closely connected to UMPPF, returning for Paper Days, serving on committees, and most recently, establishing her own named scholarship. “It was always a goal of mine to give back,” she says.

So, how does Sarah sum up the pulp and paper industry to someone unfamiliar?

“I have the greatest job in the world, turning trees into things we use every day!”

 Her story is a perfect example of how UMPPF helps students discover opportunities, build careers, and give back to the next generation of engineers. It’s all full circle.