LOVELAND, Ohio--Nov. 30, 2005-- xpedx today announced the appointment of Thomas G. Kadien as president and named Richard B. Lowe, James A. Connelly and Thomas J. Weisenbach as executive vice presidents of the company's three U.S. regions. xpedx, a division of International Paper, is North America's largest marketer and distributor of printing papers and graphics supplies and equipment. It is also a national supplier of packaging and facility supplies and equipment. Kadien, a 27-year veteran of International Paper, most recently served as president of IP Europe, the company's European paper and packaging businesses. He will be based at IP headquarters in Memphis. "My highest priority is to continue deepening customer relationships with commercial printers, publishers, manufacturers and other businesses across North America," said Kadien. "xpedx is intensely focused on helping customers grow profitably--and ensuring they get the products and services they need, when they need them, with service and value that support their business objectives." Kadien, who joined International Paper as a sales representative in 1978, has been a senior vice president of International Paper since May 2004. He served as president of International Paper Europe from April 2003 until November 2005. Before heading IP Europe, he served as vice president and general manager of the Commercial Printing & Imaging Papers Division from July 2000 through March 2003. He has also served as vice president/general manager of IP's former Fine Papers Division, as general manager of IP's former Pressure Sensitive Papers Business, and as general manager and manufacturing manager for IP's former Nicolet specialty papers unit. He also has held a variety of sales, sales management and marketing positions within IP's packaging businesses. Kadien has served on the executive committee of the National Paper Trade Association. He holds a BS in science and business administration from Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA, and an MBA in marketing from Drexel University, Philadelphia. xpedx regional headquarters in Denver, Hartford and Greensboro, NC Though previously structured in four geographic regions, xpedx today announced that it will become three regions under Kadien's leadership--the xpedx Western Region based in Denver, CO, the North Central Region based in Hartford, CT, and the South Central Region based in Greensboro, NC. The transition will increase alignment and focus for xpedx, ultimately benefiting xpedx customers. Rich Lowe, former xpedx president, returns to the West where he assumes the position of executive vice president of the newly expanded xpedx Western Region. Lowe is also a vice president and officer of International Paper. Peter Vanderhyden, senior vice president of the Western Region, plans to retire from xpedx in Spring 2006. Jim Connelly was named executive vice president of the North Central Region and Tom Weisenbach was named executive vice president of the South Central Region. Both Connelly and Weisenbach are also newly named vice presidents and officers of International Paper. Art Douville remains as executive vice president of sales and operations and is also a vice president and officer of International Paper.