Sonoco, one of the largest diversified global packaging companies, today announced that Harris E. DeLoach Jr. will retire as a director and as Executive Chairman in April of 2019. As part of its succession planning, the Board of Directors has named John R. Haley, current Vice Chairman, to be Chairman-elect.
At retirement, DeLoach, 74, will have served as Chairman of Sonoco’s Board of Directors for 14 years, including Executive Chairman since 2013. He was first elected to the Board in 1998 and became Chief Executive Officer of the Company in 2000 and Chairman in 2005 before retiring from day-to-day leadership in 2013. In total, DeLoach has more than 33 years of senior management and board experience with Sonoco.
Haley, 57, has served on the Sonoco Board since 2011 and is Chief Executive Officer of Gosiger, Inc., a privately owned distributor of computer-controlled machine tool and factory automation systems, based in Dayton, Ohio.
“John was the unanimous choice of the Board to become Chairman, based on his extensive executive management experience and the leadership he has provided to the Board over the past eight years, including chairing the financial policy committee. The Board has been planning succession for the past several years, including appointing John as Vice Chairman last year to work alongside Harris and be mentored by one of the top leaders of corporate governance.” Said James M. Micali, Sonoco’s Lead Independent Director.
Left – Harris E. DeLoach Jr., Right – John R. Haley
