Glatfelter Corporation, a leading global supplier of engineered materials, in anticipation of the previously announced proposed merger of the majority of Berry Global’s health, hygiene, and specialties segment to include its Global Nonwovens and Films (HHNF) business with Glatfelter, has announced key leadership appointments, in addition to the previously announced appointment of Curt Begle, Berry’s current president of health, hygiene & specialties division, as the chief executive officer of the newly combined company (NewCo).

Kevin M Fogarty will continue to serve Glatfelter in the role of non-executive chair of the board of directors of NewCo. Since August 2022, Fogarty has served as the non-executive chair of Glatfelter’s board of directors and has been an integral part of Glatfelter’s business since joining the company’s board in 2011. Kevin has extensive leadership experience having served as president, chief executive officer and director of Kraton Corporation, until his retirement in March 2022. Also, he currently serves as non-executive chair of the board of directors for Ecovyst Inc. (NYSE: ECVT), a leading integrated and innovative global provider of specialty catalysts and services. He is also a director of OPAL Fuels (Nasdaq: OPAL), a vertically integrated producer and distributor of renewable natural gas.

James M Till (Jim) will be appointed to the role of executive vice president, chief financial officer & treasurer for NewCo, effective upon the closing of the proposed transaction. Jim currently serves as the executive vice president and controller (principal accounting officer) of Berry. Jim joined Berry in 2008 as director, corporate accounting, then progressed to vice president, finance & treasury in 2010, before moving into his current role in 2014. As executive vice president, chief financial officer & treasurer for NewCo, Jim will oversee all finance and accounting functions, including tax, treasury, and planning, and will report directly to Curt Begle, CEO of NewCo, the company said in a press release.

In addition, Tarun Manroa will be appointed to the role of executive vice president, chief operating officer for NewCo, effective upon the closing of the proposed transaction. Manroa currently serves as the executive vice president and chief strategy officer for Berry where he leads the corporate development / M&A, global procurement, branding & marketing, and sustainability functions.

“Today’s announcement is the first of several key leadership appointments as the board of directors of Berry and Glatfelter, along with Glatfelter’s CEO, Thomas Fahnemann, and I continue to collaborate on designing an organisation that best positions NewCo for success by using the combined talents of both organisations. I am very pleased with the prospects of having Kevin Fogarty’s extensive and steadfast leadership experience at the helm of NewCo’s board of directors. Also, I am grateful that Jim and Manroa have accepted leadership roles in NewCo as I highly value them for their outstanding leadership skills and deep knowledge of Berry’s HHNF business. I have personally worked with both Jim and Manroa during our combined tenures at Berry and have confidence that they will serve the shareholders of NewCo quite well,” said Curt.

Ramesh Shettigar, Glatfelter’s current senior vice president, chief financial officer & treasurer, along with Boris Illetschko, Glatfelter’s senior vice president, chief operating officer, will continue in their respective roles until the consummation of the proposed transaction. Both Shettigar and Illetschko will play a vital role in operating Glatfelter’s business in preparation for the integration of the combined business.