Sylvamo has appointed John Sims to its board of directors, effective January 1, 2026, as part of a broader leadership transition set to take effect at the start of next year.
The appointment follows the board’s April decision naming Sims as the company’s next president and chief executive officer, also effective January 1, 2026. Sims will succeed Jean-Michel Ribiéras, who is scheduled to retire as chairman and CEO on December 31.
Sims previously served as Sylvamo’s chief operating officer, overseeing both commercial and operational functions. He joined the company in 2021 as its first chief financial officer following its spinoff from International Paper. His career spans more than 27 years in the paper and packaging sectors across North America and Europe.
In a related move, the board appointed David Petratis as chairman, effective January 1, 2026. Petratis has served as lead independent director since 2021. The separation of the chairman and CEO roles aligns with governance practices increasingly adopted by publicly traded industrial companies.
With the changes, Sylvamo’s board will consist of seven members, including Sims and six independent directors. The company said the role of lead independent director will not be filled.
The leadership transition formalizes Sylvamo’s post-spinoff governance structure as the company enters its next phase under new executive leadership.
Sylvamo is a global producer of uncoated paper with operations in Europe, Latin America, and North America. Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, the company employs more than 6,500 people and reported $3.8 billion in 2024 net sales.
