Logo
January 29, 2024
Press Release

AF&PA Welcomes Howard Coker as Board Chair

WASHINGTON — The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) today introduced Sonoco President and CEO Howard Coker as AF&PA’s Board Chair. He joined other paper and wood product industry leaders at the association's Winter Board of Directors’ Meeting on January 31.

“Howard brings exceptional sustainability and advocacy leadership to AF&PA,” said Heidi Brock, AF&PA President and CEO. “He will strengthen our advocacy results, industry voice, and work to advance our sustainability goals, Better Practices, Better Planet 2030. I am excited to partner with him and the entire AF&PA Board of Directors.”

The AF&PA Board of Directors consists of top industry leaders who represent a broad spectrum of companies in the paper and wood products manufacturing sector.

Additional AF&PA Officers Include:

  • David Sewell, WestRock Company, President and CEO – First Vice Chair
  • Mark W. Kowlzan, Packaging Corporation of America, Chairman and CEO – Second Vice Chair 
  • Brian McPheely, Pratt Industries, Inc., Global CEO – Immediate Past Chair

“I am excited to contribute to this dynamic association and be part of the leadership guiding our industry’s sustainability success forward,” said Howard Coker, AF&PA Board Chair and President and CEO of Sonoco. “Our commitments are critical to the paper and wood products industry’s long-term sustainability success. Together, our work demonstrates a commitment to building a more sustainable future.”

View the full roster of AF&PA Board of Directors

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance public policies that foster economic growth, job creation and global competitiveness for a vital sector that makes the essential paper and packaging products Americans use every day. The U.S. forest products industry employs more than 925,000 people, largely in rural America, and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 44 states. Our industry accounts for approximately 4.7% of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufacturing more than $435 billion in products annually. AF&PA member companies are significant producers and users of renewable biomass energy and are committed to making sustainable products for a sustainable future through the industry’s decades-long initiative — Better Practices, Better Planet 2030.