Greif Elects Watson New President, CEO

 

Greif, Inc., Delaware, Ohio, USA, this week announced that David Fischer will step down as president and CEO and as a member of the board of directors of the company, effective October 31. The company also announced that the board has elected Pete Watson to succeed him as president and CEO, effective November 1, and Fischer will remain with the company through December 31 to assist with the transition process. 

Michael Gasser, chairman of the Greif Board of Directors, said that "we thank David for his dedication and many significant achievements over the past 11 years at Greif, for the design and implementation of the company’s transformation initiative that is lowering our cost structure and improving our performance, and for his passion for safety and the well-being of people and the planet. We have a strong, dedicated organization, and we are confident in Pete's ability to lead the company."

 

Fischer said that "I am very proud of the Greif team and all that we have accomplished during my tenure with the company. With the transformation initiative now taking hold and with the team in place, I am bullish on the outlook for achieving the goals we have set forth for 2017. I look forward to working with Pete and the executive team over the next couple of months to ensure continuity in the implementation of the transformation." 

Watson stated that "I look forward to leading Greif and working closely with the Board, the senior management team, and all of our associates around the world to execute our transformation process. These efforts are expected to provide immediate benefits to Greif and position us for more profitable growth." 

Watson has served as COO of the company since January 2014. From September 2012 until December 2013, he was the VP and group president, Paper Packaging & Services, Global Sourcing and Supply Chain, and Greif Business System. Since he joined the company in 1999, Watson has served in a variety of positions, including division president, Paper Packaging & Services, and president of CorrChoice (a division of the company). His prior experience includes various roles with Union Camp Corp., prior to its acquisition by International Paper. Watson is a graduate of Springfield College in Massachusetts, with a B.S. degree in education and a M.S. degree in education administration. 

In addition to corrugated containers and containerboard, Greif produces steel, plastic, fiber and  flexible containers, and provides reconditioning, blending, filling, and packaging services for a wide range of industries. Greif also manages timber properties in North America. The company is strategically positioned in more than 50 countries to serve global as well as regional customers.