SPOKANE, Wash.--May 31, 2006-- Potlatch Corporation today announced the immediate appointment of Mark Benson, 52, as vice president, public affairs. Benson, who has been Potlatch's director of public affairs since 2004, will have company-wide responsibility for government relations, media and communications, community affairs and public policy issues. Benson will report to President and CEO Michael J. Covey and will relocate to the company's headquarters in Spokane. "For more than 29 years, Mark Benson has served Potlatch in a diverse mix of management positions in forestry, timberland acquisition, manufacturing and public affairs," noted Covey. "His deep knowledge of the company, its communities and policy issues, will be instrumental in developing and carrying out Potlatch's strategic public affairs direction." Benson first joined Potlatch in 1974 as a field forester. His tenure at Potlatch also has included positions in log acquisition and allocation, strategic planning, mill management and regional public affairs.