Sylvamo Announces CEO, CFO Transition Plan
Sylvamo (NYSE: SLVM) announced key leadership transitions, with current Chairman and CEO Jean-Michel Ribiéras set to retire on December 31. John Sims, currently Senior Vice President and CFO, will serve as Chief Operating Officer effective May 1, overseeing commercial and operational functions before assuming the CEO role on January 1, 2026.
Don Devlin, formerly Vice President of transformation and strategy deployment at International Paper, will succeed Sims as CFO starting May 1. Lead Independent Director David Petratis expressed confidence in the transition, highlighting the company's strong performance under Ribiéras' leadership and positive outlook for future success under Sims' direction.
Sylvamo (NYSE: SLVM) ha annunciato importanti cambiamenti nella leadership: l'attuale Presidente e CEO Jean-Michel Ribiéras andrà in pensione il 31 dicembre. John Sims, attualmente Vicepresidente Senior e CFO, assumerà il ruolo di Chief Operating Officer dal 1° maggio, supervisionando le funzioni commerciali e operative, per poi diventare CEO il 1° gennaio 2026.
Don Devlin, ex Vicepresidente per la trasformazione e l'implementazione della strategia presso International Paper, succederà a Sims come CFO a partire dal 1° maggio. Il Lead Independent Director David Petratis ha espresso fiducia nel passaggio di consegne, sottolineando le ottime performance dell’azienda sotto la guida di Ribiéras e le prospettive positive per il futuro con Sims al comando.
Sylvamo (NYSE: SLVM) anunció importantes cambios en su liderazgo: el actual presidente y CEO, Jean-Michel Ribiéras, se retirará el 31 de diciembre. John Sims, quien actualmente es Vicepresidente Senior y CFO, asumirá el cargo de Director de Operaciones a partir del 1 de mayo, supervisando las funciones comerciales y operativas, para luego convertirse en CEO el 1 de enero de 2026.
Don Devlin, ex Vicepresidente de transformación y despliegue estratégico en International Paper, sucederá a Sims como CFO desde el 1 de mayo. El Director Independiente Principal, David Petratis, expresó confianza en la transición, destacando el sólido desempeño de la empresa bajo el liderazgo de Ribiéras y las perspectivas positivas para el éxito futuro bajo la dirección de Sims.
Sylvamo (NYSE: SLVM)는 주요 리더십 변화를 발표했습니다. 현재 회장이자 CEO인 Jean-Michel Ribiéras는 12월 31일에 은퇴할 예정입니다. 현재 수석 부사장이자 CFO인 John Sims는 5월 1일부터 최고운영책임자(COO)로 임명되어 상업 및 운영 부문을 총괄하며, 2026년 1월 1일 CEO 역할을 맡게 됩니다.
이전 International Paper의 변혁 및 전략 실행 부사장이었던 Don Devlin은 5월 1일부터 Sims의 후임 CFO가 됩니다. 수석 독립 이사인 David Petratis는 이번 리더십 교체에 대한 신뢰를 표하며, Ribiéras의 리더십 아래 회사의 강력한 성과와 Sims 체제 하에서의 긍정적인 미래 전망을 강조했습니다.
Sylvamo (NYSE : SLVM) a annoncé des changements majeurs dans sa direction : le président et CEO actuel, Jean-Michel Ribiéras, prendra sa retraite le 31 décembre. John Sims, actuellement vice-président senior et CFO, assumera le poste de directeur des opérations à compter du 1er mai, supervisant les fonctions commerciales et opérationnelles, avant de devenir CEO le 1er janvier 2026.
Don Devlin, ancien vice-président de la transformation et du déploiement stratégique chez International Paper, succédera à Sims en tant que CFO à partir du 1er mai. Le directeur indépendant principal, David Petratis, a exprimé sa confiance dans cette transition, soulignant la solide performance de l’entreprise sous la direction de Ribiéras et les perspectives positives pour l’avenir sous la direction de Sims.
Sylvamo (NYSE: SLVM) gab wichtige Führungswechsel bekannt: Der derzeitige Vorsitzende und CEO Jean-Michel Ribiéras wird zum 31. Dezember in den Ruhestand treten. John Sims, derzeit Senior Vice President und CFO, wird ab dem 1. Mai als Chief Operating Officer fungieren und die kommerziellen sowie operativen Funktionen leiten, bevor er am 1. Januar 2026 die Rolle des CEO übernimmt.
Don Devlin, ehemaliger Vice President für Transformation und Strategieumsetzung bei International Paper, wird ab dem 1. Mai Sims als CFO nachfolgen. Lead Independent Director David Petratis zeigte sich zuversichtlich bezüglich des Übergangs und hob die starke Leistung des Unternehmens unter Ribiéras’ Führung sowie die positiven Aussichten für den zukünftigen Erfolg unter Sims hervor.
- Planned and orderly C-suite succession indicates strong corporate governance
- Internal promotion of CFO to CEO suggests continuity in business strategy
- New CFO brings relevant industry experience from International Paper
- 18-month gap between current CEO retirement and new CEO appointment could create temporary leadership uncertainty
John Sims, who currently serves as senior vice president and chief financial officer, has been elected chief operating officer by the company’s board of directors, effective May 1. As COO, Sims will lead commercial and operational functions, while Ribiéras continues to lead corporate functions until his retirement. Sims will then become Sylvamo’s next CEO Jan 1, 2026.
Don Devlin has been elected senior vice president and CFO to succeed Sims, effective May 1. Devlin joins Sylvamo from International Paper, where he held numerous leadership and finance positions, most recently serving as vice president, transformation and strategy deployment.
“I would like to thank Jean-Michel for his leadership in building Sylvamo, the world’s paper company, into what it is today. We are very pleased with the company’s performance during his tenure and wish him a well-earned retirement,” said David Petratis, lead independent director, who has served on the Sylvamo board of directors since 2021. “The company is well positioned to continue to succeed under John’s leadership as he has been key to Sylvamo’s performance. We also have no doubt Don will leverage his impressive experience to help guide Sylvamo into the future.”
“It has been an honor to lead Sylvamo,” Ribiéras said. “I thank our board, senior management team and talented teams around the world for their dedication and outstanding contributions in pursuit of our vision to be the employer, supplier and investment of choice. I am so proud of all we have accomplished together and know John will continue to amplify Sylvamo’s success.”
About Jean-Michel Ribiéras
Jean-Michel Ribiéras became Sylvamo’s first chairman and CEO in 2021, at the company's inception as a spinoff from International Paper. His more than 35-year career in paper and packaging spans three continents, multiple businesses and a variety of leadership roles.
Ribiéras also serves on the boards of LP Building Solutions, the American Forest & Paper Association and the
About John Sims
John Sims became Sylvamo’s first senior vice president and CFO in 2021, at the company's inception as a spinoff from International Paper. He joined International Paper in 1994 after serving as an officer in the
Sims served on the Confederation of European Paper Industries Board from 2016 to 2019. He has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the United States Naval Academy and a Master of Business Administration from the University of
About Don Devlin
Don Devlin has extensive international leadership experience with a track record of building teams, developing strategic plans and delivering results in diverse and challenging environments.
Devlin comes to Sylvamo from International Paper, where he joined in 1998. He held numerous leadership positions, including vice president, finance and strategy, North American Industrial Packaging, president, International Paper India, finance director, European Papers and, most recently, vice president, transformation and strategy deployment. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Siena College.
About Sylvamo
Sylvamo (NYSE: SLVM) is the world’s paper company with mills in
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Any or all forward-looking statements may turn out to be incorrect, and actual future actions and events could differ materially from what the forward-looking statements express or imply, because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors include those disclosed in the heading "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2024, filed with the
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Media Contact:
Adam Ghassemi
901-519-8115
adam.ghassemi@sylvamo.com
Source: Sylvamo