A major leadership transition is underway at Georgia-Pacific as the company announced the retirement of its President and CEO, Christian Fischer, effective at the end of October.
Fischer, a veteran of the forest products industry with 40 years of experience, has been at the helm of Georgia-Pacific since 2017. He first joined the company in 1989 and has held numerous leadership positions over his 35-year tenure.
The company has named Mark Luetters, a long-time executive within the Koch group of companies, to serve as President and CEO. Luetters is currently executive vice president at Koch, Inc., overseeing several Koch companies, including Georgia-Pacific. He will retain this broader role while leading Georgia-Pacific.
Luetters previously served as executive vice president of Georgia-Pacific’s building products division for nine years, before transitioning to a role at Koch in 2018.
In a statement, Luetters thanked Fischer for his long-standing service: “I want to thank Christian for his 40 years of service in the forest products industry and his 35 years of significant contribution to Georgia-Pacific. We all wish him the very best following his retirement.”
He added: “I look forward to working collaboratively with the GP team on our key initiatives and ultimately naming a new, long-term GP president and CEO at some point within calendar year 2026.”
Fischer will begin transitioning his responsibilities in August as Luetters prepares to guide the company through this leadership change. The search for a permanent successor is expected to continue into next year.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia-Pacific is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of tissue, pulp, packaging, building products, and related chemicals. The company operates more than 150 facilities and employs tens of thousands of people across North America. As a subsidiary of Koch Industries since 2005, Georgia-Pacific serves a broad range of industries and markets, with a focus on innovation, safety, and sustainability.
