Doyle Simons, president and CEO of Weyerhaeuser, Federal Way, Wash., USA, has been named the 2016 North American CEO of the Year. The award will be presented to Simons at the 31st Annual RISI North American Conference. Simons was selected by a group of investment analysts and portfolio managers who cover the North American and global pulp and paper industry. The criteria for the award include leadership, vision, and strategic accomplishment. 

Analysts credited Simons for Weyerhaeuser’s merger with Plum Creek Timber in February that established the firm as a giant timber REIT with a market capitalization of $23 billion, and also for its decision to review strategic alternatives and ultimately divest its cellulose fibers business, creating a more focused forest products company going forward. 

Simons is the first pulp and paper and forest industry CEO to win the RISI North American CEO of the Year Award with two different companies. Simons also was selected the top North American CEO in 2009 when he led Temple-Inland, which was a major containerboard producer with forestry and building products units. Simons is the fourth industry CEO in North America to win the top RISI honor twice in the 18 years that the award has existed. 

"It's a tremendous honor to receive this recognition from RISI and the investment community, especially for our employees." Simons said. "This award is a tribute to our employees' relentless focus on driving operational excellence, developing our people, and generating value for shareholders, thereby earning the right to grow our company. 

Simons became the Weyerhaeuser CEO in August 2013. Before starting at Weyerhaeuser, Simons spent 20 years at Temple-Inland, including as CEO from December 2007 through February 2012. International Paper acquired Temple-Inland in first quarter 2012.