Domtar announces Domtar corporation's new management team - The transaction has been approved under the Investment Canada Act

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MONTREAL, Feb. 12  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Domtar announced today the composition of the senior management team of the new company, Domtar Corporation, that will be formed by the proposed combination of Domtar with Weyerhaeuser's fine paper business and related assets. The transaction, which has been approved by Canadian authorities in accordance with the Investment Canada Act, will create the largest fine paper company in North America. Domtar's special shareholders meeting to approve the transaction will take place in Montreal on February 26th.

"This is a very strong leadership team with deep industry and integration experience. I am delighted to be able to count on such an outstanding combination of talented and dedicated individuals from Domtar and Weyerhaeuser," stated Raymond Royer, who will be the President and CEO of Domtar Corporation.

The team of executive officers will be comprised of:

President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO): Raymond Royer has been the President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Domtar Inc. since joining the company in 1996. He will also be a member of the Board of Directors.

Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer (COO): Marvin D. Cooper was the Senior Vice-President, Cellulose Fiber, White Papers and Containerboard Manufacturing and Engineering of Weyerhaeuser Company from 2002 to 2006 when he stepped down to work full-time on this transaction. Prior to Weyerhaeuser, he held a number of executive positions with Willamette Industries, Inc., including Executive Vice-President, Pulp and Paper Mills from 1998 to 2002. He will also be a member of the Board.

Senior Vice-President, Marketing: Steven A. Barker has been the Senior Vice-President, Pulp and Paper Sales and Marketing of Domtar since December 2004. He joined Domtar in 2000 following the acquisition of Ris Paper Company, Inc. where he held a number of executive positions since 1994. In his new capacity, he will be responsible for product development and the marketing of all pulp and paper grades produced at the mills.

Senior Vice-President, Southern Region Mills: Roger H. Brear has been Senior Vice-President, Paper Manufacturing of Domtar since 2001 when he joined following the acquisition of four U.S. paper mills from Georgia-Pacific Corporation, where he held various senior manufacturing positions. In his new capacity, he will be responsible for the mills located in Ashdown (AR), Columbus (MS), Kingsport (TN), Marlboro (Bennettsville) (SC), Plymouth (NC), and Kamloops (BC).

Senior Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO): Daniel Buron has been the Senior Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of Domtar since May 2004. He joined Domtar in 1999. Prior to 2004, he was Domtar's Vice-President, Finance, Pulp and Paper Sales Division and, prior to 2002, Vice-President and Controller. He will continue in his present role.

Senior Vice-President, Human Resources: Michel Dagenais has been Vice-President, Human Resources of Domtar since 2005. Previously, he was Director, Human Resources of the Forest Products Group since joining Domtar in 2001. He will continue in his present role.

Senior Vice-President, Northern Region Mills: Ghislain Dinel has been Vice-President, Operations, Optimization and Technology of Domtar since 2004. Since joining Domtar in 1970, he held various management positions in the pulp and paper operations. In his new capacity, he will be responsible for the mills located in Dryden (ON), Hawesville (KY), Lebel-sur-Quevillon (QC), Prince Albert (SK), Windsor (QC) and Woodland (ME).

Group Senior Vice-President, Pulp and Paper Manufacturing: Michael Edwards has been Vice-President, Fine Paper Manufacturing of Weyerhaeuser since 2002. Since joining Weyerhaeuser in 1994 he held various management positions in the pulp and paper operations. Prior to Weyerhaeuser, he worked at Domtar for 11 years. In his new capacity, he will be responsible for pulp and paper manufacturing operations.

Senior Vice-President, Distribution: James F. Lenhoff has been Senior Vice-President, Domtar Distribution Group since 2004. He joined Domtar in 2000 following the acquisition of Ris Paper Company Inc. where he was Vice-President, Sales and Marketing. He will continue in his present role.

Senior Vice-President, Forest Products: Jean-Francois Merette has been Vice-President, Sawmills since he joined Domtar in 2005. Previously, he held various management positions with a major forest products company. In his new capacity, he will be responsible for forestry and sawmills operations.

Senior Vice-President, Specialty Mills and Converting Operations: Bart Nicholson has been Vice-President, Fine Paper Converting Operations since joining Weyerhaeuser in 2002. Previously, he held various management positions in the pulp and paper operations of Willamette Industries, Inc. since 1981. In his new capacity, he will be responsible for the specialty mills located in Espanola (ON), Hull (QC), Johnsonburg (PA), Rothschild (WI), Port Edwards / Nekoosa (WI) and Port Huron (MI), as well as the converting operations.

Senior Vice-President, Law and Corporate Affairs: Gilles Pharand joined Domtar in 1970; he has been Senior Vice-President, Corporate Affairs, since 1994 and General Counsel since 1986, being responsible for secretariat, environmental and legal affairs, communications and government relations, and internal audit. He will continue in his present role.

Senior Vice-President, Sales: Richard L. Thomas has been the Vice-President of Fine Papers of Weyerhaeuser since 2005. Prior to 2005, he was Vice-President for Business Papers.  He joined Weyerhaeuser in 2002 when Willamette Industries, Inc. was acquired by Weyerhaeuser. At Willamette, he held various management positions in operations since joining in 1992. In his new capacity, he will be responsible for pulp and paper sales and customer service.

An organizational chart is attached.

Click here (http://files.newswire.ca/514/Org_chartang_FINAL.ppt) to see organizational chart.

DOMTAR IS THE THIRD LARGEST PRODUCER OF UNCOATED FREESHEET PAPER IN NORTH AMERICA. IT IS ALSO A LEADING MANUFACTURER OF BUSINESS PAPERS, COMMERCIAL PRINTING AND PUBLICATION PAPERS, AND TECHNICAL AND SPECIALTY PAPERS. DOMTAR MANAGES ACCORDING TO INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED STANDARDS 18 MILLION ACRES OF FORESTLAND IN CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES, AND PRODUCES LUMBER AND OTHER WOOD PRODUCTS. DOMTAR HAS 8,500 EMPLOYEES ACROSS NORTH AMERICA. 

DATASOURCE: DOMTAR INC.



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