International Paper Co., Memphis, Tenn., USA, this week announced the election of Ambassador William J. Burns to its board of directors, effective yesterday, February 11. Ambassador Burns is president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the oldest international affairs think tank in the U.S. 

Ambassador Burns served in the U.S. Department of State as Deputy Secretary of State from 2011 to 2014, as Under Secretary for Political Affairs from 2008 to 2011, and as Ambassador to Russia from 2005 to 2008, among many other posts during his 33 years in the Foreign Service.

"Bill's extensive public policy experience both domestically and internationally brings a unique and valuable perspective to the International Paper Board of Directors," said Mark Sutton, chairman and CEO. "We are extremely pleased to have him join our board."

Ambassador Burns earned a bachelor's degree in history from LaSalle University and a master's degree and doctorate in international relations from Oxford University, where he studied as a Marshall Scholar.  He speaks Russian, Arabic, and French.