CINCINNATI, Ohio, - Steve Bowden has been named executive vice president of Marketing and Sales for xpedx, replacing Tom Weisenbach who will retire from the company Sept. 30. xpedx is a division of International Paper where Steve will also serve as vice president.

Steve earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from Auburn University. He has been with International Paper for 22 years, and has held various leadership positions, including mill manager of the company's Augusta, Georgia manufacturing facility, and North American business manager for IP's Bleached Board division.

In 2006 Steve joined xpedx, the company's distribution business, as vice president of its Stores division. He will continue in this role as he assumes overarching responsibility for sales and marketing of xpedx printing, packaging and facility supplies businesses, as well as management of the company's National Accounts and Enterprise Solutions divisions. He will be based at xpedx's corporate headquarters in Loveland, Ohio near Cincinnati.

 "Steve has done an outstanding job leading the xpedx Stores' organization for the past three years," said Tom Kadien, president of xpedx. "I am confident that he will successfully lead our team to develop and implement strategies to grow market share."