[Cohoes, NY] – March 20, 2007 -- In a further effort to better serve the graphic arts community and expand service to distributors, Mohawk Fine Papers Inc. announces substantive changes to its sales force and business development team. Effective March 1, the U.S. market has been divided into eastern and western regions with a new level of sales management. “The successful integration of the IP Fine Papers brands has increased Mohawk's connection throughout the fine papers market. These changes will help us to improve our service in the merchant community and enhance our reach into the corporate, print, and specification markets,” says Richard LaBonge, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing for Mohawk Fine Papers Inc. Western U.S. Lee Battin has been promoted to National Sales Manager, Western U.S. Battin will lead the South Central and Western regions, reporting directly to LaBonge. Battin joined Mohawk in 1996 with 16 years of experience in the paper industry. Battin has proven to be a valuable leader for the Mohawk sales team. Other changes in the west include the promotion of Joy Evans to Regional Sales Manager, Western U.S., reporting to Lee Battin. In her new position, Evans is responsible for managing the sales team and distribution channels for the western region. Christy Barton has been hired as district sales manager for Southern California, with merchant sales and specification responsibility. Eastern U.S. Paul Biesiadecki has been promoted to National Sales Manager, Eastern U.S. Biesiadecki has been with Mohawk for more than two years as Regional Sales Manager. Reporting directly to LaBonge, Biesiadecki will now lead the sales teams for the New England, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast regions. Biesiadecki has over twenty years of experience in uncoated, coated and specialty papers. Greg Schoudt has been promoted to Regional Sales Manager, Southeast U.S., reporting to Paul Biesiadecki. In his new position, Schoudt will manage sales and specification activities in Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Arkansas and Louisiana. Debbie Townshend is now responsible for sales and specification activities in the Tampa and Miami markets in addition to her current specification responsibilities in North Florida. Mary Alsip will add South Carolina to her current North Carolina responsibilities. Jeff Martin is now responsible for the Alabama and Louisiana markets in addition to his current assignments in Tennessee and Georgia. Malina Weigel has been hired as specification sales representative in Chicago and Minneapolis. She comes to Mohawk with 16 years of specification experience in Chicago. Mohawk expands its successful business development team. In addition to territory realignments, Mohawk is also expanding on its successful business development concept. The group will consist of three lead representatives focused on corporate work and one focused on the print community. Carole Ott has joined Mohawk in the position of Business Development Manager, western region, where she is responsible for calling on end-users and developing new business. She has over 20 years of experience in sales and marketing, most recently with Arjowiggins Fine Papers. Desiree Kerns and Ellen Golden have been named Business Development Managers in the Midwest and Eastern regions respectively. Both have made important contributions to the Corporate Business Development team and bring solid specification and industry experience. Richard Schielke has joined Mohawk in the newly created role National Printer Business Development Manager, reporting to Richard LaBonge. In this position, Schielke will focus on the commercial printer and corporate end user markets. Schielke has over 20 years of experience in fine papers sales and marketing, most recently with Unisource. “Our merchant partners are very important to Mohawk. I believe this reorganization is just one more step towards our goal of being the number one supplier of premium papers to our distributors. In the past two years we have increased our merchant partnerships, extending from the aggressive specification and sales activities to expedited order processing and fulfillment. We are committed to building on these efforts moving forward. Our goal is to continue to be the preferred supplier for all our merchants,” said Thomas D. O’Connor, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.