Anthony Locicero, Associate editor03.02.21
WestRock Company announced that Steven C. Voorhees decided to step down from his position as president and CEO and a director of the company for health reasons, effective March 15, 2021.
“It has been an honor to lead and to serve with such an incredible team of people,” said Voorhees. “Thanks to the hard work and dedication of a team that is second to none, WestRock is better positioned than ever to support its customers and achieve its goals, and I am proud to have been part of what we have built together. I am happy and comfortable to be leaving WestRock in good capable hands. I look forward to addressing my immediate health needs and investing more time with my family and personal interests."
“It has been an honor to lead and to serve with such an incredible team of people,” said Voorhees. “Thanks to the hard work and dedication of a team that is second to none, WestRock is better positioned than ever to support its customers and achieve its goals, and I am proud to have been part of what we have built together. I am happy and comfortable to be leaving WestRock in good capable hands. I look forward to addressing my immediate health needs and investing more time with my family and personal interests."
Also, the Company’s Board of Directors announced that, following a comprehensive search as part of the company’s long-term succession processes, it elected David B. Sewell to succeed Voorhees as WestRock’s president and CEO at that time.
Sewell has been appointed to the Board of Directors, effective as of when he assumes his new role.
“Our decision to elect David as CEO is the result of a robust succession planning process, and he is the right choice to lead our Company into the future," said John A. Luke, Jr., chairman of WestRock’s Board of Directors. "David is a proven executive with a strong record of driving profitable growth, both organic and acquisitive, and building organizational capability that develops and nurtures excellent leadership and talent while driving a culture of equity and inclusion. The Board and I look forward to working closely with David and WestRock’s leadership team as the company delivers on our strategy and generates strong returns for investors.
“Steve Voorhees has served WestRock with great dedication and distinction since its formation in 2015. Under his leadership, the company has grown to $17.6 billion in sales through the execution of a growth strategy that has included the merger with MeadWestvaco, several strategic acquisitions and significant capital investments, all positioning WestRock as the leading provider of innovative, fiber-based, sustainable packaging solutions," Luke added.
“Our decision to elect David as CEO is the result of a robust succession planning process, and he is the right choice to lead our Company into the future," said John A. Luke, Jr., chairman of WestRock’s Board of Directors. "David is a proven executive with a strong record of driving profitable growth, both organic and acquisitive, and building organizational capability that develops and nurtures excellent leadership and talent while driving a culture of equity and inclusion. The Board and I look forward to working closely with David and WestRock’s leadership team as the company delivers on our strategy and generates strong returns for investors.
“Steve Voorhees has served WestRock with great dedication and distinction since its formation in 2015. Under his leadership, the company has grown to $17.6 billion in sales through the execution of a growth strategy that has included the merger with MeadWestvaco, several strategic acquisitions and significant capital investments, all positioning WestRock as the leading provider of innovative, fiber-based, sustainable packaging solutions," Luke added.
Sewell, 52, joins WestRock from The Sherwin-Williams Company, where he most recently served as president and chief operating officer.
Before joining Sherwin-Williams, Sewell spent 15 years at General Electric Company.
“It is an honor to have the opportunity to serve as WestRock’s CEO, and I thank the Board for its confidence in me,” said Sewell. “I am excited about joining WestRock and look forward to working with this talented leadership team and outstanding organization to build on the Company’s strategic success and together realize the opportunities ahead for our customers, team members and stockholders.”
“It is an honor to have the opportunity to serve as WestRock’s CEO, and I thank the Board for its confidence in me,” said Sewell. “I am excited about joining WestRock and look forward to working with this talented leadership team and outstanding organization to build on the Company’s strategic success and together realize the opportunities ahead for our customers, team members and stockholders.”
