May 23, 2007. /Lesprom Network/. Rayonier announced on May 22, 2007 that Hans E. Vanden Noort has been elected by the board of directors as senior vice president and chief financial officer, effective June 1, 2007. Vanden Noort has served as senior vice president and chief accounting officer since August 2005. In his new position, he will have responsibility for all controllership, treasury, tax, investor relations, internal audit, information technology and risk management functions. "I am confident that in his expanded role, Hans' extensive financial background, vision and leadership skills will be invaluable in our efforts to further enhance shareholder value," said Lee M. Thomas, president and chief executive officer. Vanden Noort joined Rayonier in 2001 as vice president and controller. Previously, he was with Baker Hughes in Houston as vice president of finance and administration for its Baker process division. Prior to that, he was a senior manager for Ernst & Young in Houston. A certified public accountant, Vanden Noort has a BBA in accounting from the University of Cincinnati and an MBA with a concentration in finance from the University of Michigan. Rayonier is a leading international forest products company with three core businesses: timber, real estate and performance fibers. It owns, leases or manages 2.7 million acres of timber and land in the U.S., New Zealand and Australia. Its performance fibers business is the world's leading producer of high-value specialty cellulose fibers. Approximately 40% of the company's sales are outside the U.S. to customers in more than 50 countries.