Apr 20, 2012. /Lesprom Network/. Verso Paper Corp. announced that Michael A. Jackson will retire as the President and CEO and a director of Verso and that David J. Paterson has been elected by Verso’s Board of Directors to serve in such roles, with both events to occur effective as of May 14, 2012. Scott Kleinman, Verso’s Chairman of the Board, said, “Verso truly has been fortunate to have Mike Jackson as our CEO during the past five years. Mike has established a solid culture and strategic foundation at Verso since we became an independent entity in 2006. Under Mike’s direction, Verso has improved and refined our core product portfolio, developed and marketed a series of specialty products, and formulated and begun executing a forward-looking renewable energy strategy.” Kleinman continued, “Going forward, we are pleased and honored that Dave Paterson will become Verso’s new CEO. Dave brings to Verso a wealth of experience garnered during his many years of service as an executive with AbitibiBowater Inc., Bowater Incorporated, and Georgia-Pacific Corporation.” Dave Paterson added, “I am pleased to be appointed as CEO and am excited about the opportunities ahead for Verso. Verso has a strategic focus, exceptional people, and a nimble management approach that should bode well for the future. I am truly excited to be joining the Verso team.” Mr. Jackson will continue to serve as the President and CEO and a director of Verso through Verso’s 1Q earnings call on May 14, 2012, after which Mr. Paterson’s appointment to these positions will become effective. Mr. Paterson will serve as a Class II director of Verso with an initial term expiring at our 2013 annual meeting of stockholders. Mr. Paterson served as President and CEO and a director of AbitibiBowater Inc. (now doing business as Resolute Forest Products), a leading global producer of newsprint, coated and specialty papers, market pulp and wood products, from 2007 to 2011. He was Chairman, President and CEO of Bowater Incorporated during 2007 and President and CEO of Bowater Incorporated from 2006 to 2007. From 1987 to 2006, Mr. Paterson worked in various executive and sales and marketing positions for Georgia-Pacific Corporation, a leading global manufacturer of tissue, packaging, paper, building products and related chemicals, including most recently as Executive Vice President of the Building Products division from 2003 to 2006, Executive Vice President of the Pulp and Paperboard division from 2001 to 2003, President of the Paper and Bleached Board division in 2001, and Senior Vice President of the Communication Papers division from 2000 to 2001. Verso Paper Corp. produces coated papers, including coated groundwood and coated freesheet, and specialty products.