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Gilbert Paper Named "Employer of the Year"

Gilbert Paper Named "Employer of the Year"

Published 08-02-00

Submitted by Mead Corporation

Gilbert Paper, a division of The Mead Corporation, is being recognized by The National Epilepsy Foundation as the “2000 Employer of the Year.” The award will be presented at the National Epilepsy Foundation's national conference in Atlanta, Georgia, on August 12. Only one company is chosen for this honor each year.

Jennifer Blum, Executive Director of the Epilepsy Foundation of Central and Northeast Wisconsin nominated Gilbert Paper for this prestigious award as a result of the Foundation’s association with Nathan Selle, an Epilepsy Foundation volunteer who has been employed by Gilbert Paper since 1979. Blum stated in her nomination, "Gilbert Paper has provided a work environment that not only advances opportunity for people with epilepsy and other disabilities but encourages personal growth."

The Foundation received several nomination letters from Gilbert employees for the award. “The letters noted Gilbert's supportive position of employees with disabilities, and in particular epilepsy,” added Blum. “The company's policies and practices are evident in the experiences of Nathan Selle.”

Despite being diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 2, Nate has been a dedicated member of the Gilbert organization for the past 20 years. Through some workplace accommodations, support from his co-workers and supervisors and his desire to be a valuable, productive employee, Nate has been able to hold several different positions at the mill and converting center. In 1997, Nate underwent successful epilepsy surgery that gave him a renewed zest for life.

“We are very proud to be the recipient of this award and fortunate to have Nate as part of our company,” said William B. Plummer, President of Gilbert Paper. “We are pleased to support him as he increases the public's awareness that when given the opportunity, people with disabilities can be valuable members of any organization.”

As a volunteer spokesperson for epilepsy, Nate is trying to raise $150,000 for epilepsy research by walking 600 miles across the state of Wisconsin. This event is scheduled to start Monday, September 18 in Duluth, Minnesota, and end in Rockford, Illinois, approximately 5 weeks later. Mead has matched all employee contributions to the fundraising effort.

In 1999, the combined contributions of The Mead Corporation and the Mead Corporation Foundation provided more than $6.1 million in charitable support to hundreds of organizations. In 2000, The Mead Corporation was one of 50 companies cited in a Worth magazine article on a list of “50 Top Profit Sharers” as part of a feature on America’s most generous companies. The magazine worked with the Council on Economic Priorities to survey 500 of the largest corporations in the U.S. The article appeared in Worth’s December 1999/January 2000 issue. Mead ranked number 25 on the list.

The Gilbert Paper division, based in Menasha, Wisconsin, produces high-quality communication papers, including stationery, text and cover papers and specialty papers. The division is also a leading manufacturer of watermarked cotton-content stationery.

The Mead Corporation, a $3.8 billion forest products company, is one of the leading North American producers of coated paper, specialty paper, coated paperboard and school and office supplies, a world leader in multiple packaging, and a producer of high-quality corrugating medium. For additional information about Mead, visit the company’s website at http://www.mead.com

To Support Nate’s Walk for Epilepsy write or call:
Epilepsy Foundation of Central and Northeast Wisconsin
1004 First Street, Suite 5
Steven's Point, WI 54481

1-800-924-9932 (in Wisconsin)

Mead Corporation

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