RockTenn CEO to be replaced by COO

RockTenn chief executive officer (CEO) Jim Rubright is to retire and be replaced by Steve Voorhees, the company’s current president and chief operating officer (COO).

Voorhees joined RockTenn as chief financial officer (CFO) in 2000 and became chief financial officer and chief administrative officer in 2008, before rising to president and COO in January 2013.

Voorhees and Jenny Hourihan have now been elected to the board of RockTenn. Hourihan is the CEO of ORBIS International, an international non-profit organization that works in developing countries to save sight. Hourihan served as CFO of Pro Mujer International, previously worked as managing director and sector head of the paper and forest products group at Bank of America as well as and in other investment roles at Merrill Lynch and the Salomon Smith Barney unit of Citigroup.

In addition, Ward Dickson is joining RockTenn as executive vice-president and CFO with responsibility for finance, information technology and procurement. Dickson currently serves as senior vice-president of finance for the global sales and service organization of Cisco Systems.

Rubright said: ‘Steve Voorhees has been instrumental in developing and executing our process improvement and acquisition strategies since he joined RockTenn in 2000, and is a great choice to lead our company.

‘We are also pleased to have Ward Dickson join our team, bringing his proven leadership talent and extensive experience in finance, sales and service.

‘These two proven leaders have demonstrated throughout their careers the same commitment to excellence and customer service that consistently produces outstanding results for RockTenn's customers and shareholders.’

Stephen Felker, RockTenn's lead independent director, will become chairman of the board of RockTenn for a two-year term commencing with Rubright's retirement. Felker is the former chairman and CEO of Avondale and has served on RockTenn's board of directors since 2001.

Felker said: ‘RockTenn will lose a remarkable CEO with Jim Rubright's retirement from the company. Under Jim's leadership, RockTenn has grown to become a highly respected leader in the paper and forest products industry.’

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