FEDERAL WAY, Wash., Oct. 15 -- Weyerhaeuser Company today announced that Ernesta Ballard, 58, has been named senior vice president -- Corporate Affairs effective Oct. 25. Ballard will report directly to Steven R. Rogel, chairman, president and chief executive officer and be a member of the company's senior management team. In her new role, Ballard will lead the functions of corporate communications, corporate philanthropy, government affairs and environment, health and safety. "As a company whose license to operate depends upon the will of the public, the leader of our Corporate Affairs function is critical to our success," Rogel said. "Ernesta has a deep understanding of environmental issues, regulatory processes and the role of communications that makes her an ideal person to lead this important function. Her broad and varied management experience, combined with her reputation as an implementer, makes Ernesta a strong addition to our senior management team." Ballard currently serves in the cabinet of the governor of the State of Alaska as commissioner, Department of Environmental Conservation, a position she has held since 2002. Prior to joining the governor's cabinet, Ballard had a consulting practice specializing in regulatory strategy with an emphasis on integrated management systems for protection of the environment, health and safety. Ballard was appointed in 1997 by President Clinton to serve on the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service where she chaired the Audit Committee. From 1983-86, Ballard was the regional administrator of Region 10 of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Ballard served for many years on the boards of the University of Washington Medical Center and the Ketchikan General Hospital. She was a founding member and currently serves as chairman of LifeCenter Northwest, the organ procurement organization for Washington, Montana and Alaska. She is a past board member and officer of the Alaska Forest Association and a founding member of the Ketchikan Humane Society. Ballard holds a bachelor of arts from the University of Pennsylvania, attended Oxford University on a Thouron Scholarship and received a master's degree in business administration from Harvard University. Ballard replaces Mack L. Hogans who previously announced his plans to retire after 25 years at Weyerhaeuser. During his career, Hogans held numerous positions in the Wood Products business and Government Affairs. He was responsible for leading the integration of MacMillan Bloedel into Weyerhaeuser and establishing the company's entry into an electronic commerce joint venture.