Catalyst Paper, Richmond, B.C., Canada, has made several changes to its board of directors, effective immediately. Assuming the role of chairman is Benjamin Duster IV, former chairman of Algoma Steel. Duster joined the Catalyst board in December 2007, bringing 20 years of Wall Street experience. He is a graduate of Harvard Business and Harvard Law Schools and was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1985. He is also a director on several corporate boards including Jazz Air Holding GP Inc.
Retiring from the board is Michel Desbiens who has served as a director since 2006 and as chairman since 2007. Desbiens, a 40-year veteran of the industry, brought extensive senior management, executive, and governance experience in the pulp, paper, and printing sector to his role with Catalyst. "Catalyst Paper has weathered one of the most challenging periods in the industry's history by focusing on operating and financial fundamentals over the past four years. It was my pleasure to preside over board matters and to work with my fellow directors during this period of accelerated change," Desbiens said.
Also leaving the board is Amit Wadhwaney of Third Avenue Management, LLC. He joined the board in December 2006, bringing forest industry experience and a global equities focus as portfolio manager and senior research analyst for the Third Avenue International Value Fund and for Third Avenue's private and institutional advisory business. "It was an honor to serve on the board of Catalyst Paper. I believe that the company has the right leadership to move the company in a positive direction. Third Avenue Management remains a large shareholder of, and continues to support, Catalyst Paper Corp." Wadhwaney noted.
Duster added that "on behalf of the board, I would like to extend our thanks to both Michel and Amit for their service, insights, and leadership as directors during a particularly challenging period of industry and business restructuring."
With five mills in British Columbia and Arizona, Catalyst has a combined annual production capacity of 2.5 million metric tons. Effective in September 2010, the Elk Falls, B.C., mill will be permanently shutdown, bringing annual capacity to 2.0 million metric tons.
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