SPOKANE, Wash.--Dec. 16, 2002--Potlatch Corporation today announced the election of Michael T. Riordan, 52, to Potlatch's board of directors effective December 31, 2002. Mr. Riordan was most recently Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Paragon Trade Brands, a manufacturer of private label disposable diapers and related products, prior to Paragon's acquisition by Tyco Healthcare in early 2002. From 1997 to 1998, Mr. Riordan was President and Chief Operating Officer of Fort James Corporation, a tissue and paper products manufacturer. Prior to the merger of Fort Howard Corporation and James River Corporation, he served as Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of Fort Howard Corporation. Mr. Riordan also serves on the board of directors of The Dial Corporation, Wallace Computer Services, Inc., and American Medical Security, Inc. He holds a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from Purdue University, an MBA from Marquette University and a JD from DePaul University. Potlatch Corporation is an integrated forestry products company with 1.5 million acres of timberland in Idaho, Minnesota and Arkansas. Products include lumber, panels, bleached pulp, paperboard and consumer tissue.