Aug 04, 2005. /Lesprom Network/. David C. Stevens has announced his intention to retire as senior vice president and general manager of Smurfit-Stone’s recycling division effective October 1. Michael R. Oswald, vice president of operations, will succeed Stevens as vice president and general manager of the recycling division. A paper industry veteran of 50 years, Stevens joined the former Jefferson Smurfit Corporation in 1987 as vice president of recycling sales and marketing. In 1993, he was named vice president and general manager of the Recycling division. Prior to joining Smurfit-Stone, Stevens served as the president of MeadWestvaco’s Container division and held a variety of management positions in the container and containerboard divisions of International Paper. Stevens earned a bachelor of science degree in commerce from DePaul University and an MBA from the University of Chicago. He is an active member in the American Forest & Paper Association’s recovered fiber executive committee and the world affairs council of St. Louis. Commenting on Dave’s retirement, chairman, president and chief executive officer Patrick J. Moore, said, “Dave has been a leader in the recycling business for nearly two decades. His experience has helped us maintain a leadership position in a challenging marketplace. He has been especially influential directing the AF&PA toward its 55% recovery goal. I wish him and his family all the best in his retirement.” Mike Oswald has been in the recycling industry for 26 years and began his career at Smurfit-Stone as a fiber coordinator. He has held a variety of operational, sales and management positions with increasing responsibility including general manager, regional manager of operations, and vice president and regional manager - east coast operations. Oswald earned a BS degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis. He is also a member of the AF&PA Recovered Fiber Executive Committee. Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation is the industry’s leading integrated manufacturer of paperboard and paper-based packaging. The company operates approximately 250 facilities, located primarily in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, and employs approximately 35,000 people.