Ron Nussman
Job title: Kingsport Packaging Controller
Department: Finance
Years with the company: 41
In my 34 years of experience in Kingsport, every mill manager has strongly encouraged the leadership team to take an active role in the community and has supported our efforts in making those organizations successful.
I’m not sure I would have been involved in our community had it not been for that gentle reminder to get involved and represent Domtar by making a positive contribution.
Describe your community activities.
- Appalachian Federal Credit Union, Kingsport — Nominating Committee (2006-2011, 2015)
- Appalachian Federal Credit Union, Kingsport — Supervisory Committee (1993-2011)
- Central Cougars Youth Athletics — Founding Father and Treasurer (2013-2016)
- Central Youth Baseball Organization — Director (1996-2008)
- Foundation for Excellence in Public Education (FEPEC), Kingsport — Board of Directors (1996-2000)
- Indian Springs Redskins Basketball — Board of Directors (1998-2007)
- Indian Springs Ruritan — Board of Directors (1996-2000)
- Junior Achievement — Board of Directors (1996-1999)
- Kingsport Chamber of Commerce — Education Committee (1999-2003)
- Kingsport Convention & Visitors Bureau — Board of Directors (2003-2007)
- Kingsport Rotary Club — Member (1998-2003)
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital — Annually Top 3 Fundraising Teams (2009-present)
- Sullivan County Baseball — Secretary/Treasurer (1994-2007)
- United Way — Donor for 40 years
- United Way of Greater Kingsport — Assistant Treasurer (2008, 2011, 2014, 2020, 2021)
- United Way of Greater Kingsport — Finance Committee (2006-present)
- United Way of Greater Kingsport — Treasurer (2009, 2015, 2016)
- Weyerhaeuser Foundation — East Tennessee Advisor (2002-2007)
- Youth Competitive Basketball and Baseball Teams — Coach (1991-2011)
What motivated you to get involved?
I wanted to make a difference in our community. I selected organizations that our mill supports or nonprofits with missions that were of interest to me or that impacted families. Mill managers strongly suggested we become involved in the community.
What are some memorable experiences or moments from your community involvement?
As a member of the finance committee and multiple terms as treasurer/assistant treasurer at the United Way of Greater Kingsport, I’ve been part of a team that achieved remarkable financial stability and results, notably:
- We reached an annual revenue peak of $4 million in a community of 50,000 citizens.
- Our financial controls are robust, and our balance sheet is strong.
- We undergo annual audits by independent auditors without any internal control issues or revisions to financial statements.
It has been memorable to see kids I coach mature and play sports in high school and college. More importantly, seeing these young men and women mature into husbands, wives, fathers, mothers and college graduates who are enjoying successful careers gives me a great sense of pride.
I coached all my children in some fashion over the years. My wife and kids sacrificed time away from me while I was coaching other children in the area before eventually coaching them. My kids spent countless hours at the ballfields and basketball courts watching me with my teams.
In the early years, there wasn’t a Nussman on the team, which eventually led to my teams including their siblings. Watching my own kids grow into husbands and wives, along with raising their families, brings an overwhelming amount of joy, a sense of satisfaction, and a realization of how fortunate our family is to have what we have and be able to accomplish what we have.
We are truly blessed. To see them take some of these life lessons and even talk today about some of the things they learned while they were playing ball has been one of the most rewarding things I have experienced.
What skills or knowledge from your job have you been able to apply to your community work?
- Leadership
- Financial acumen
- Using the core values of our mill — caring, accountability, collaboration and entrepreneurship
How has your community involvement impacted you personally and professionally?
Working on boards of directors, committees, coaching or creating a few of these organizations has improved my leadership, organization and teambuilding skills.
United Way and some of the other nonprofits have opened my eyes and made me aware of those less fortunate than my family, and helped me realize that several organizations in our area could use leaders to help them fulfill their missions.
My family was directly assisted by and has a relationship with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Unfortunately, our grandson was a patient for almost three years, which did not result in the outcome for which we were hoping and praying. However, my family and I are truly grateful for everything they tried for us and have become fundraisers and supporters of the organization. We have been one of the top three fundraisers in the Kingsport/Johnson City area every year since 2009.
How do you believe your involvement has impacted the community or the individuals you work with?
- Made most organizations stronger financially, with better controls and accountability over spending.
- Provided leadership to nonprofits with a business and financial acumen that gave them direction and helped guide them in fulfilling their missions.
- Had several athletes receive college scholarships and a few make their way to playing professionally. I’m not taking credit for their athletic ability, but hopefully, the little time I spent with them helped them improve and mature.
What advice would you give to someone interested in getting involved in their community?
Really look around yourself and the community where your company operates, and if you look hard enough, you will see many people whose lives are much more difficult than yours and your family’s. What are you going to do about it?
Find an organization with which you have a common interest and ask them what they need to help them deliver their mission. Most are just as willing to take your leadership skills, organizational skills and time in place of your financial support. I have found that many nonprofits are good at soliciting funds, but not as good at asking for help that involves people’s time. Many are lacking in good leadership and organizational skills.
Once involved in an organization, reach out to your supervisor and ask for their support. Ask for time during the day to help the organization, and offer solutions as to how your work can still be done and not cause an issue with your work team. Ask for financial donations from your company and for the company’s help in finding volunteers.
Does your company encourage employees to be involved in the community? Why?
The Kingsport Mill encourages our employees to be involved. Not only is it the right thing to do, but ultimately there is some benefit to the company. We have lots of resources — be it financial, talents, access to some other organizations, etc. — that can help organizations meet the needs of their communities.
A strong community provides a pool of potentially good workers from which the mill can draw into service. Additionally, while most mills have been in their communities for a very long time — and sometimes even before their town or city was even chartered — the mill must earn the right to operate every day.
The communities around us are changing and many do not see the value of manufacturing facilities in “their backyards.” Providing employees opportunities to represent the company on the boards of these nonprofits, the time to help these organizations meet their mission, and providing financial support to these organizations increases awareness of how our company operates and how we care about the communities where we work and live.
Encouraging employees to be active in their communities not only helps the communities but also enhances the reputation of Domtar. Most community-based organizations initially see you as a representative of Domtar and you become “Domtar” to them.
Most of our mills/locations do not provide a direct service that people in the community use or consume directly, so they do not have much interaction or connection to Domtar. Being present in the community and making positive contributions reflects very favorably on Domtar.
I know for me, personally, when I’ve served on boards and committees of nonprofits, you’re seen most often as Domtar’s representative and not just for you being you.