WestRock Announces Updated Consumer and Corrugated Leadership

 

WestRock (Richmond, Va., USA), a global provider of different pulp and paper products, primarily packaging and container solutions, late this past week announced that Bob Feeser has been named president of Consumer Packaging and Jeff Chalovich has been named president of Corrugated Packaging. Jim Porter, who currently serves as president of Paper Solutions, will transition to a new role as president of Business Development and Latin America, and Craig Gunckel has been named president, Enterprise Solutions.

Feeser has served as EVP of Consumer Paper and Global Solutions for WestRock, and prior to the merger of RockTenn Co. and MeadWestvaco Corp. (MWV), he was EVP of Global Operations for MWV. In his new role as president of Consumer Packaging, he will report to Steve Voorhees, CEO of WestRock. He will be responsible for the commercial activities and operations of the company’s consumer paper and packaging businesses. He will also maintain his current responsibilities for innovation and the Asia-Pacific region.

Chalovich most recently served as EVP of Corrugated Containers and Commercial Excellence. Prior to the merger of RockTenn and MWV, he served as SVP of Corrugated Containers for RockTenn. As president of Corrugated Packaging, he will also report to Voorhees and will be responsible for the commercial activities and operations of the company’s containerboard mills and corrugated packaging facilities. He will continue to lead WestRock’s Commercial Excellence organization.

In his new position as president of Business Development and Latin America, Porter will lead the Brazil and forest resources organizations and play a key role in expanding the company’s customer relationships and developing new investment and acquisition opportunities. He will continue to serve as one of WestRock’s two representatives on the board of directors of the company’s joint venture with Grupo Gondi. Over the next year and a half until his retirement, he will act as a strategic adviser to WestRock's management team to ensure the successful transition of key customer and industry relationships.

Gunckel most recently served as EVP, Folding Carton, Merchandising Displays and RTS Packaging for WestRock. In this new role as president, Enterprise Solutions, he will lead WestRock’s initiatives to provide additional structure and support to the company’s marketing of its full capabilities. He will also report to Voorhees. 

"I am pleased to announce these new leadership appointments, which are designed to enhance our strategic focus, accelerate decision making and improve operational results as we realign our organization across our Consumer Packaging and Corrugated Packaging businesses," said Voorhees. "Since our merger, we have made significant progress in positioning WestRock for future growth and profitability. This leadership transition should enhance our ability to execute our strategy and achieve our aspiration to become the premier paper and packaging company in the markets that we serve."