Sonoco, one of the largest diversified global packaging companies, today announced three executive officer appointments, according to Sonoco Chairman and Chief Executive OfficerHarris E. DeLoach, Jr., and M. Jack Sanders, president and chief operating officer.
John M. Colyer, Jr. has been promoted to vice president, Global Paper and Industrial Converted Products. In this new role, Colyer has responsibility for Sonoco’s largest business segment, including global tubes and cores, paper, recycling, wire and cable reels, and internal supply businesses, including adhesives and forest products. In total, this segment has 198 global plant locations in North America, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand and Asia. Colyer is a member of the Company’s executive committee, reporting to Sanders.
Prior to this new assignment, Colyer, 51, served as vice president, Global Industrial Converting, and was responsible for leading the effort to complete the recent acquisition of Tegrant Corporation, a leading North American supplier of protective, temperature-assured and retail security packaging. Colyer has more than 28 years of experience with Sonoco and has held numerous leadership and manufacturing management positions in businesses serving industrial and consumer markets. He is a graduate of Southern Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration.
Ronald G. Leach has been named vice president of Sonoco’s recently expanded Global Protective Packaging segment, elected an officer of the Company and appointed to the executive committee, reporting to Sanders.
Leach, 54, was president and chief executive officer of Tegrant Corporation, prior to the acquisition in November 2011. He also has served as president of SCA Packaging N.A. and president and chief executive officer of Alloyd Company, Inc. Before becoming Alloyd’s president and chief executive officer, he was the company’s vice president of Operations. Leach holds a Bachelor of Science degree in packaging engineering from Michigan State University.
R. Howard Coker, 49, has been named to the Company’s executive committee and remains vice president, Global Rigid Paper and Closures, reporting to Sanders. In this position, Coker has global responsibility for the Company’s composite can, and metal and peelable membrane ends and closures businesses.
Prior to this appointment, Coker was vice president, Rigid Paper and Closures – North America. He has held several leadership positions within the Company, including division vice president and general manager, Sonoco Phoenix; director of sales and marketing, Rigid Paper and Plastics – North America; and general manager, Rigid Paper and Plastics – Asia/Pacific. Coker is a graduate of Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C., with a Bachelor of Arts in business administration. He also received a Master of Arts in business administration from Wake Forest University.