AF&PA announces new members, board leadership

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), Washington, has announced new board leadership as well as new company and associate members following its winter board of directors meeting Feb. 2.

Brian McPheely, global CEO of Conyers, Georgia-based Pratt Industries, has been elected AF&PA board chair, while additional elected officers include:

• first vice chair: Howard Coker, president and CEO of Hartsville, South Carolina-based Sonoco
• second vice chair: David Sewell, president and CEO, Atlanta-based WestRock Co.
• immediate past chair: Christian Fischer, president and CEO, Atlanta-based Georgia-Pacific LLC

“The paper and wood products industry is a proud leader in sustainability and manufactures essential products people use every day,” McPheely says. “As we continue to find innovative solutions and be responsible stewards of the environment, I’m excited to work with AF&PA and help advance the ‘Better Practices, Better Planet 2030’ sustainability initiative.”

AF&PA President and CEO Heidi Brock says 2023 is an “exciting year” for the industry as it looks to advocate for products and policies that will advance the organization’s priorities, and adds, “Brian’s experience in paper, packaging and [the] recovered fiber sector will be vital to our industry’s success regarding sustainability and innovation.”

The AF&PA says its board of directors comprises top industry leaders representing a broad spectrum of companies in the paper and wood products manufacturing sector, and it’s five new directors are:

• Charles Hodges, president and chief operating officer, Hood Container Corp.
• Dick Carmical, CEO, The Price Cos. Inc.
• Mark Ushpol, executive vice president, Food & Consumer Packaging, Ahlstrom
• Ole Rosgaard, president and CEO, Greif Inc.

The organization also welcomed a new company member, Hanover, Pennsylvania-based OX Industries, and four associate members, including Boston Consulting Group, Kansas City, Missouri-based Hallmark Cards Inc., Redmond, Washington-based PAC Worldwide and Sweden-based Tetra Pak.

“We welcome each of these new members as they join AF&PA at an exciting and dynamic time,” Brock says. “Their voices help support the association’s advocacy work and demonstrate our industry’s sustainability leadership.”