Catalyst Paper chairman Leslie Lederer taking over as interim CEO

RICHMOND, B.C. – Catalyst Paper (TSX:CYT) announced Wednesday that company chairman Leslie Lederer will take over as CEO on an interim basis following the departure of current CEO Kevin Clarke at the end of the month.

Clarke announced his departure from the pulp and paper company in April, saying he was returning home to New York state where his family resides.

The B.C.-based pulp and paper producer said then that the time was right for a leadership transition following the completion of the company’s court-supervised restructuring.

Catalyst Paper returned to the Toronto Stock Exchange in January under the symbol (TSX:CYT) after having been delisted the previous March.

Catalyst initiated an executive search at that time but has yet to find a permanent replacement.

Lederer, a former executive with Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. with extensive experience in the industry, is also a member of the Illinois Bar.

With three mills in British Columbia, Catalyst manufactures diverse specialty mechanical printing papers, newsprint and pulp. Its customers include retailers, publishers and commercial printers in North America, Latin America, the Pacific Rim and Europe.