Feb 27, 2013. /Lesprom Network/. Potlatch Corporation announced that Eric J. Cremers has been named president and chief operating officer, and elected to its Board of Directors, effective March 1, 2013. Cremers will be responsible for leading the company's business operations, including timberland management, wood manufacturing and sales, real estate, and human resources. He will continue to serve as CFO and lead investor relations activities while a search for a successor is conducted, as the company said in a press release received by Lesprom Network. "Since joining Potlatch, Eric has been the driving force behind restructuring the company. His strong background in business strategy and finance, coupled with his understanding of all three of our businesses uniquely qualify him to add value to our board and lead the day-to-day operations of the company," said Mike Covey, chairman and CEO. Cremers joined Potlatch in 2007 as vice president and CFO and was promoted in 2012 to executive vice president and CFO. Prior to joining Potlatch, Cremers worked for Albertsons, where he served as senior vice president, corporate strategy and business development. He also worked in investment banking for Piper Jaffray and for The Pillsbury Company. Potlatch is a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) with approximately 1.43 million acres of timberland in Arkansas, Idaho, and Minnesota. Potlatch, a verified forest practices leader, is committed to providing superior returns to stockholders through long-term stewardship of its forest resources. The company also conducts a land sales and development business and operates wood products manufacturing facilities through its taxable REIT subsidiary.