Apr 12, 2006. /Lesprom Network/. Potlatch Corporation announced on April 11 that effective May 15, 2006, William R. DeReu, 39, will join Potlatch in the new position of vice president, land sales and development, reporting to president and chief executive officer Michael J. Covey. Most recently, Mr. DeReu was director, land asset management services, for Plum Creek Timber Co., Inc. In his new position with Potlatch, he will manage and direct the company's efforts to identify, market and develop higher and better use lands to maximize their value and returns to Potlatch stockholders, and to assess higher and better use land opportunities in future land acquisitions. He will be located in the company's Spokane headquarters office. Mr. Covey noted, "Bill brings nine years of real estate experience to his new role at Potlatch. During his career with Plum Creek in Montana and Wisconsin, Bill was instrumental in identifying, marketing and developing rural land with alternative values to timber production. He also negotiated conservation sales and easements with both private and public agencies. Importantly for Potlatch, Bill has experience working under the complex structure of a REIT and has extensive experience with 1031 land exchanges and the use of the internet as a marketing tool," Mr. Covey concluded. Mr. DeReu has a degree in Business Administration/Finance from the University of Montana and worked in commercial banking prior to beginning a career in real estate. Potlatch is a REIT with 1.5 million acres of forestland in Idaho, Minnesota, Arkansas and Oregon. Through a taxable subsidiary, the company also operates 13 manufacturing facilities that produce lumber and panel products and bleached pulp products, including paperboard and tissue products.