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February 9, 2019
Press Release

AF&PA Elects New Board Chair, Announces Officers at Winter Board of Directors Meeting

Greif, Inc.’s Pete Watson Named Board Chair

Contact: Barbara Riley/Lindsay Murphy
(202) 463-2587, comms@afandpa.org

WASHINGTON – The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) announced the election of Greif Inc. President & CEO Pete Watson as the new AF&PA Board Chair and released its 2019 slate of AF&PA Board Officers. Paper and wood product industry leaders participated in the association’s Winter Board of Directors Meeting in Washington on February 7.

“I am eager to partner with AF&PA’s leadership to advance 2019 advocacy priorities that will support our industry’s ability to grow the economy and create American manufacturing jobs,” said Watson. “A more resilient market-based paper recycling system, improved transportation infrastructure, free and fair trade, a competitive tax system, and regulatory reforms and process improvements top our list. All will set a stronger foundation for the one of the largest manufacturing sectors in the nation to prosper as our companies apply sustainable manufacturing practices to make the products that improve everyday life.”

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Watson has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Greif Inc., since November 1, 2015, having previously served as Chief Operating Officer for Greif. Since joining the company in 1999, Watson has held a number of executive positions, including Group President for Paper Packaging, Land Management, and Global Sourcing and Supply Chain. He also served as Division President of Paper Packaging, and President of CorrChoice (a Greif division), and Vice President of Corrugated Operations.

AF&PA President and CEO Donna Harman said, “Our industry has a bright future and can compete anywhere in the world with the right public policies. We are committed to working together with stakeholders who share our interest in a sustainable U.S. manufacturing base. Under Pete Watson’s leadership, we’ll share the industry’s compelling story with decision makers in Washington and in state legislatures to ensure public policy clearly reflects the benefits of our products to society and reflects the needs of our members and their hard-working employees.”

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance public policies that foster economic growth, job creation and global competitiveness for a vital sector that makes the essential paper and packaging products Americans use every day. The U.S. forest products industry employs more than 925,000 people, largely in rural America, and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 44 states. Our industry accounts for approximately 4.7% of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufacturing more than $435 billion in products annually. AF&PA member companies are significant producers and users of renewable biomass energy and are committed to making sustainable products for a sustainable future through the industry’s decades-long initiative — Better Practices, Better Planet 2030.