HARTSVILLE, S.C.  -- Sonoco, one of the largest diversified global packaging companies, today announced that Harry A. Cockrell has been elected to its Board of Directors.

Cockrell, 63, is managing director of Pacific Tiger Group Limited, a Hong Kong-based privately held investment enterprise with a wide range of businesses and assets across the Asia/Pacific region. The group's investments include real estate and property development, packaging products and services, food processing and distribution, petroleum distribution, convenience store operations, biotechnology/medical technology and information technology, including multimedia and web-based services.

"We're extremely pleased to have Harry join Sonoco's board," said Harris E. DeLoach Jr., executive chairman. "In addition to being a long-time partner with Sonoco Asia businesses, Harry has a wealth of business and investment experience in growingAsia/Pacific markets."

Cockrell holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Asian studies from Seton Hall University and an M.B.A. from the Thunderbird School of Global Management where he serves as a trustee. He is a director of Pathfinder Investment Holdings Corporation, aPhilippines real estate management group. He is a former director of Hanesbrands, Inc., and former investment committee member of Asian Infrastructure Fund. Earlier in his career, he was director of corporate banking for the National Commercial Bank of Saudi Arabia and was a banking advisor for Middle Eastern and Asian interests.

With Cockrell's election, Sonoco has 12 board members. He assumes the board seat vacated by John H. Mullen III, who retired having reached the age of 72, the mandatory retirement age of members of the Board. Mullen retired on June 15, 2013, after serving on the Sonoco Board since 2002.