HAMILTON, Ohio, August 27, 2007 -- SMART Papers today announced that Oakie Sallee, a 40-year veteran of the premium printing papers industry, has been elected to the SMART Papers Board of Directors.
Sallee, who has wide experience in sales, marketing and operations, is a former Fox River Paper Co. and Simpson Paper Co. executive.  SMART Papers is North America's largest independent manufacturer and marketer of premium coated and uncoated printing papers.
Sallee began his career as a management trainee with Ohio-based papermaker Harding Jones, rising to become the company's president and chief operations officer.  Sallee then worked 20 years at Fox River Paper Co., Appleton, Wisc., as vice president of national accounts and vice president of sales and marketing.  He is highly regarded for developing and establishing strong domestic and international customer alliances.
"Oakie's appointment to the SMART Papers Board of Directors comes at a time of significant growth and new opportunity at our company," said Tim Needham, chairman of SMART Papers.  "Oakie's breadth of commercial experience in branded premium papers in the North American and European markets will be valuable to us in our next stage of growth, including potential acquisitions."
Dan Maheu, president and chief operating officer of SMART Papers, added that Sallee's senior leadership "will help us strengthen important customer partnerships and initiate new ones."
Sallee is recognized for developing and marketing several well-known brands of uncoated premium papers in North America.  He attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where he majored in business administration and pulp and paper technology.
SMART Papers is owned by Plainfield Asset Management LLC, a Greenwich, CT-based investment company.