Sylvamo has appointed John Sims as its new Chief Executive Officer and President, and David Petratis as its new Chairman of the board, with both roles taking effect on 1 January 2026.
Sims, currently the company's Chief Operating Officer, will succeed retiring Chairman and CEO Jean-Michel Ribiéras, while Petratis moves from lead independent director to independent chairman, according to Sylvamo.
The transition will separate the Chairman and CEO roles, a structure the board cites as a corporate governance best practice.
Petratis, who has served on the board since the company's inception as a spinoff from International Paper in 2021, stated the move allows for strong independent oversight while enabling the CEO to focus on operations. The board now comprises seven members, including Sims and six independent directors, with the lead independent director position being discontinued.
