Special to
L’Observateur

MEMPHIS — Riverside Academy alumnus Mark Sutton became CEO of International Paper on Nov. 1.

He will become chairman of the board of directors on Jan. 1.

Sutton is the son of David and June Sutton from LaPlace, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Louisiana State University and has been with International Paper his entire career.

Immediately prior to becoming CEO, he served as president and chief operating officer with responsibility for leading and running the company’s global businesses. He was named a member of the International Paper board of directors in June.

Sutton was appointed to senior vice president, industrial packaging in November 2011. Sutton is a member of the advisory board of the Wang Center for International Business Education and Research at the University of Memphis, and is a member of the board of trustees for the New Memphis Institute.

He joined International Paper in 1984 as an engineer at the Pineville mill and has worked in Thilmany, Wis., Memphis and Europe during his company service.