Entrepreneurial Award

GREGORY PHILIP ARCHAMBAULT, ARTS '81
Oneida, Wis.

Greg Archambault has made a career out of creatively turning one thing into another. He was the first in his family to attend college — and turned that into a stepping stone to a successful career in the paper company.

His company, Fox River Fiber, recycles office wastepaper into pulp that eventually becomes new printing and writing paper, tissues, and paper towels. He recently invested in an anaerobic digester that transforms the company’s liquid waste into methane that can be used to power its production.

His philosophy? “You’ve got to have PMA: positive mental attitude,” he says. “This was first introduced to me by a fellow Marquette student, Phil Bain, Arts ’81. That helps keep me positive and believing I can do it.”

After Greg earned his bachelor’s degree in biology, he transitioned into sales in the paper industry before taking over as president and CEO of Fox River Fiber, one of the nation’s only sources of FDA-grade recycled pulp.

Greg loves being at the helm of a green company and is always searching for new innovations, such as the anaerobic digester, which will reduce his company’s carbon footprint and treatment costs at the same time.

And he’s grateful for the foundation he received at Marquette.

“It provided me with confidence,” he says. “I always felt I would be successful. I only wished I had learned earlier to use the alumni talent that is out there to get advice early in my career. There are so many leaders who are willing to share and provide advice that can really improve one’s ability and provide faster success.”

Hometown: Peshtigo, Wis.
Dream dinner guest: Benjamin Franklin
Faculty person who had an impact: The late Rev. John Naus, S.J. “He opened my mind to a lot of possibilities while making me laugh. Plus, he was one of the few people that knew how to pronounce Archambault!”
One of his favorite Marquette memories: Attending Gesu
Career he aspired to in grade school: Dentist. “I thought there had to be a way to put braces on with less pain.”
Most influential people: “My parents because of their support. But there are many people that have been mentors for me: in sales, Don Schibly and Duane Stehle; in production, Jim McGinnity and Tom Paulson; in integrity, Mike Strebel. All have contributed to my capability and success.”