Mar 07, 2008. /Lesprom.com/. Kimberly-Clark has announced that Steve Kalmanson, Group President of the company's North Atlantic Consumer Products business, is retiring following a more than 30-year career with the company. He will be replaced by Robert Abernathy, current Group President of K-C's Developing & Emerging Markets (D&E) business. In addition, the company announced that Bob Black, the company's Chief Strategy Officer, will replace Abernathy as head of the D&E business and that Tony Palmer, Chief Marketing Officer, will assume responsibility for K-C's innovation organization, which previously reported to Black. "Robert, Bob and Tony are accomplished and respected leaders who have been instrumental in successfully executing our Global Business Plan strategies," said Tom Falk, chairman and CEO of Kimberly-Clark. "They bring proven skills and a fresh perspective to their new roles. With these management changes, we underscore our commitment to continue delivering improved business results and we are taking advantage of an opportunity to better align our marketing and innovation activities." Robert Abernathy has extensive experience growing K-C's consumer businesses around the world. Under his leadership, the company's D&E businesses have generated growth in sales and operating profit averaging 15% and 14%, respectively, over the last four years. Bob Black brings considerable expertise to his new role as Group President of Developing & Emerging Markets. As former chief operating officer of Sammons Enterprises and president of Steelcase International, he has significant experience in leading large, complex global operations. Tony Palmer has successfully established a global marketing organization that is driving implementation of best practices, sharing ideas and the development of marketing talent globally as an underpinning to improved brand strength and enhanced top- and bottom-line growth. His leadership of the company's innovation organization is a natural progression for K-C, more closely integrating that group with the marketing and brand-building teams that currently report to him.