David Backus Named Senior Vice President, Sales and Operations, Bulkley Dunton
 
Donald Heller, senior executive vice president, Bulkley Dunton, announced today that he will retire at the end of this year. He will be succeeded by David Backus, who has been named senior vice president, sales and operations. Backus will report to George Doehner, president, Bulkley Dunton, which is a business of xpedx and International Paper (NYSE: IP).

Donald is a 42-year veteran of the paper and publishing industry, serving as president for Baldwin Paper, Websource and Strategic Paper Group (SPG), a joint venture of Central Lewmar. He has been part of the xpedx organization since it acquired Central Lewmar in 2007, and he became part of Bulkley Dunton when it merged with SPG in 2011.
 
"We are all very fortunate to have had Donald's wisdom, experience and perhaps most importantly, good humor, to guide us as we face tremendous change and new challenges within our industry," said George Doehner, president, Bulkley Dunton.
 
In his new senior leadership position, Backus will develop a vision, strategy and objectives for growing the Bulkley Dunton business. He will continue to cultivate relationships with key suppliers and will lead Bulkley Dunton's sales and operations teams, with a few specific exceptions, aligning their efforts to meet the evolving needs of Bulkley Dunton customers.
 
"Over the years, Bulkley Dunton has enjoyed extraordinary mill relationships, and has provided the long-term perspective and distribution network that its customers have needed to be successful," Backus said. "With that as our foundation, Bulkley Dunton will continue to propel the industry forward – by ensuring that print remains a viable communications medium, by helping our customers to grow efficiently and profitably, and by making sure they can sustain that growth over time."
 
Backus is a 20-year veteran of the paper industry. He joined xpedx in May, 2012, following a successful career with A.T. Clayton & Co. where he was senior vice president. Prior to A.T. Clayton, Backus was a sales executive with Appleton Coated Papers and before that, the former Champion International Corporation.
 
Backus will continue to be based at Bulkley Dunton's headquarters in New York City.