STAMFORD, Conn., Oct. 24 - International Paper Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John Dillon today announced that Executive Vice President C. Wes Smith will retire from the company, effective Jan. 31, 2002. "Wes has worked in the paper and forest products industry for over 43 years; half of that time has been with IP,'' Dillon said. "Wes has played a major role in the tremendous growth and success of our company. He has been an absolutely outstanding leader and we will miss his sound counsel and good advice. We are a much stronger company as a result of having had Wes as part of our senior management team. On behalf of all International Paper employees around the world, I offer my sincere thanks to Wes for a job extremely well done and extend best wishes to both he and his wife, Sandra, as they begin this new phase in their lives.'' Dillon also announced the following organizational changes that are effective immediately: George O'Brien, senior vice president, Forest Resources, will assume responsibility for the company's Lumber, Panels & Engineered Wood Products businesses and Weldwood of Canada. He will report directly to John Dillon. Reporting to O'Brien, in addition to his current direct reports, will be Art McGowen, vice president, Lumber Business; Bill Hoel, vice president, Panels & Engineered Wood Products; and Jeff Hearn, president and chief executive officer of Weldwood of Canada. Richard Phillips, senior vice president, technology, will assume responsibility for Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) and the related Environment, Health and Safety Council. Phillips will report jointly to Executive Vice Presidents Rob Amen and David Oskin. Tom Jorling, vice president, Environmental Affairs, will report to Phillips. The Logistics and Purchasing organization, led by Bill Crawford, vice president, Logistics, and the Marginal Economics and Activity Based Costing group, headed by Kevin Hinz, director, Performance Services, will now report to Marianne Parrs. The Decorative Products division, Arizona Chemical, and the Chemical Cellulose division, all in the process of being divested, will continue to report to Wes Smith until his retirement.