Oct 19, 2011. /Lesprom Network/. Wausau Paper announced that Thomas J. Howatt, President and CEO of the company, will retire at the end of 2011 and that Henry C. Newell, currently executive vice president and COO of the company will succeed Mr. Howatt as President and CEO effective January 1, 2012. Additionally, Mr. Howatt will succeed San W. Orr, Jr. as non-executive chairman of the board of the company effective February 15, 2012. Mr. Orr will retire from the company’s board of directors as of the company’s annual meeting in April 2012 upon the conclusion of his present term on the board, having reached mandatory retirement age. Mr. Newell joined Wausau Paper in 2007 as vice-president, business development and was promoted to the position of senior vice-president specialty products in January of 2009 and to the role of senior vice-president paper when the company consolidated its specialty products and printing & writing business segments in January of 2010. He was promoted to his current role in March of this year. He brings more than 25 years of experience in the paper industry to his new role. Mr. Newell will stand for election to the company’s board of directors at its April 2012 annual meeting. Mr. Howatt stated, “Hank Newell’s leadership capabilities, vision and extensive industry experience ideally position him to lead Wausau Paper at this time. The company’s extensive executive talent development and succession planning efforts over the past several years have provided an orderly and seamless leadership transition that best positions Wausau Paper for the future.” Wausau Paper produces and markets specialty papers for industrial, commercial and consumer end markets as well as a complete line of away-from-home towel and tissue products.