May 31, 2010. /Lesprom Network/. Catalyst Paper appointed Denis Jean, a current director of the Board as the company's interim President and CEO, effective immediately, company said in a statement received by Lesprom Network. A veteran of the industry, Mr. Jean was President and CEO of Cascades Fine Papers Group Inc. from 2002 to 2005. Prior to that, he held executive roles with Abitibi Consolidated Inc. and Donohue Inc. Mr. Jean holds a BSc.A (electrical engineering) from Universite de Montreal. "We are fortunate to be able to draw on the industry expertise of a fellow director," said Catalyst Board Chairman Michel Desbiens. "Denis knows the industry well and he understands the company's challenges having served as a director on the Board since 2007. We appreciate his willingness to serve as the company's interim chief executive as the search for Mr. Garneau's successor is completed." Mr. Garneau announced his resignation as Catalyst president and CEO in late January and the Board initiated an executive search at that time. Mr. Garneau left the company and the Board effective May 28, 2010 to return to Eastern Canada to be closer to his family. Mr. Jean's appointment will enable the Board to complete the executive search with assurance of a seamless transition to a new CEO in due course. Catalyst Paper manufactures diverse specialty printing papers, newsprint and pulp. Its customers include retailers, publishers and commercial printers in North America, Latin America, the Pacific Rim and Europe.