Leadership Team

Paradigm’s leadership team consists of 4 Veterans of the Paper Chemicals Industry that comprises some 90(+) years of Industry experience across a number of fields and disciplines.   It is our belief that this one of the most talented teams assembled in the industry today.  For the past 15 years Paradigm’s leadership team has been instrumental in driving the vision and success of our organization.

James L. Herrin – Founder, President and Chief Operating Officer:

James holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and has served in the Paper Chemicals Industry for 24 years.  James’ career has been spent in a number of sales and leadership roles with Calgon Corporation, ECC International, and Nalco Chemical and is the recipient of numerous awards from each of these organizations.  Currently James’s primary roles are managing Paradigm’s operational functions including supply chain management, manufacturing operation, and in-direct sales, while also serving as Paradigm’s main financial officer.  James’ paper chemical expertise centers on recycled liner, boxboard, and gypsum facing paper applications.  James is a native of Dacula, Georgia and resides in Armuchee, Georgia with his wife, son and daughter.  James and his wife also have 3 grown sons.

Michael C. Knoll – Founder, Senior Vice President and Chief Sales Officer:

Mike holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Michigan State University and has served in the Paper Chemicals Industry for 35 years. Mike’s career has been spent in a number of sales and leadership roles with Calgon Corporation, ECC International, and Nalco Chemical, last serving as Vice President of Sales for Nalco’s Southern Region. Currently Mike’s primary role is managing our direct sales organization both domestically and internationally for our customer base in North, Central, and South America. Mike’s chemical expertise centers around cooling and boiler water treatment and coated and uncoated liner board applications. Mike is a native of Detroit, Michigan and resides with his wife in Alpharetta, Georgia. Mike and his wife also have two grown sons and a daughter.

Dr. William E. Smith (Dr. Bill) – Executive Papermaking Consultant (Emeritus):

Dr. Bill, as he is known throughout the industry, holds a Bachelor of Science in Pulp and Paper Technology from North Carolina State University as well as a M.B.A from the University of South Carolina and a Ph.D. in Wood & Paper Science from North Carolina State University. Dr. Bill is a TAPPI Fellow and a past member of the Board of Directors for TAPPI. Dr. Bill has held a variety of positions with a vast array of companies throughout his 52 year career in the Pulp and Paper Chemical Industry. Bill began his career with the US Forest Products Lab, then Sonoco Products and from there worked with EZE Products, Calgon Corporation, ECC International, and Paradigm for the last 14 years. Bill is our most experienced and tenured team member and serves a number of roles within Paradigm including managing our laboratory and being our chief formulator. Dr. Bill’s expertise centers on clothing maintenance, both mechanical and chemical, and wet end and wood chemistry. Bill is a native of Wilmington, North Carolina and resides in Greenville, South Carolina with his wife and granddaughter. Bill and his wife also have a grown daughter and son.

Jeffery J. Meier – Senior Technical Sales and Service Consultant (Emeritus):

Jeff holds a Bachelor of Paper Science & Engineering from the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point.  Jeff is a veteran of the paper manufacturing and chemical industry for 35 years and has held a variety of positons with Container Corporation of America, Calgon Corporation, ECC International and Nalco Chemical, last serving as a member of the World Wide Technical Support Team.  Jeff’s primary role within Paradigm is focused on new sales and global technical support.  Jeff’s expertise centers on Coated Board application and retention/drainage and formation chemistries.  Jeff is a native of Wisconsin and resides with his wife in Greenville, South Carolina.  Jeff and his wife have 3 grown children.