TAPPI and PIMA, Norcross, Ga., USA, have announced the selection of James A. Rubright, chairman and CEO of containerboard and packaging producer RockTenn, as the association's 2012 Executive of the Year. The award is PIMA's highest honor and is bestowed on senior-level executives in the pulp, paper, or converting industries for excellence in management and outstanding contributions to the industry as a whole. Rubright will receive his award on April 23 during the opening session of TAPPI's PaperCon 2012 event in New Orleans, La., where he will also participate in an executive panel.
"Throughout his career, James Rubright has exemplified the strong leadership skills, vision, and integrity required for success in a globally competitive business like the pulp and paper industry. His accomplishments as a leader and his many contributions to the industry make him an outstanding choice as PIMA Executive of the Year," said Larry N. Montague, TAPPI president and CEO. "Most recently his leadership helped RockTenn deliver consistently solid earnings during the major Smurfit-Stone acquisition. Both competitors and independent converters have responded positively to the acquisition, which has brought RockTenn to a new level in the industry as one of the largest, most respected, and profitable integrated paperboard and packaging companies in North America."
Rubright has served as RockTenn's CEO since October 1999 and chairman of the board since January 2000. The Smurfit-Stone merger in 2011 vaulted RockTenn into the position of No. 2 paperboard packaging producer in the U.S., behind International Paper Co. Before joining RockTenn, he served as EVP of Sonat Inc., a diversified energy company headquartered in Birmingham, Ala. He is a director of AGL Resources Inc., an energy company, and Forestar Real Estate Group Inc., a real estate and natural resources company.
Rubright was RISI's 2008 and 2011 North American Forest Products CEO of the Year and was named Global CEO of the Year by PPI in 2009.
TAPPI
http://www.tappi.org/