Executive Management

Jean-Michel Ribiéras became Sylvamo’s chairman and chief executive officer at its inception as a spinoff of International Paper. His 35-year paper and packaging career spans three continents, multiple businesses and a variety of leadership roles such as senior vice president, Industrial Packaging the Americas and most recently senior vice president, Global Papers.

Jean-Michel serves on the boards of the American Forest & Paper Association and U.S.-Brazil CEO Forum, and previously served on the boards of the Brazil Pulp & Paper Association and The Ilim Group, a Russia based joint venture with International Paper. He holds a bachelor’s degree in management from École Supérieure des Dirigeants d Enterprise (France) and a Master of Marketing from University of Hartford.

John V. Sims became Sylvamo’s senior vice president and chief financial officer at its inception as a spinoff of International Paper. He joined International Paper in 1994, after serving as an officer in the United States Navy. During his 27-year career with International Paper, he gained extensive experience in the Printing Papers and Packaging businesses in North America and Europe, while most recently serving as senior vice president, Corporate Development.

John has served on the board of directors of The Ilim Group. He has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the United States Naval Academy and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan.

Matthew Barron became Sylvamo’s senior vice president and general counsel at its inception as a spinoff of International Paper. He joined International Paper in 2006 from the law firm of Sullivan & Worcester LLP in Boston. His early focus was on mergers, acquisitions and securities law.

He most recently served as associate general counsel with responsibility for corporate law, environmental, health and safety and intellectual property.

Matthew serves on the board of directors of the Mid-South Food Bank and served on the board of ASG Worldwide. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Fairfield University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Connecticut.

Thomas A. Cleves became Sylvamo’s senior vice president, Corporate Affairs, at its inception as a spinoff of International Paper. He entered the paper and packaging industry in 1983 and joined International Paper in 1987 through the acquisition of Hammermill Paper Company. During his career, Thomas has held a number of leadership roles, most recently serving as vice president, Global Citizenship, with responsibility for sustainability, community engagement, communications and corporate marketing.

Thomas serves on the board of trustees for Memphis Museums and the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission. He has a bachelor’s degree in business management from Northern Kentucky University and a Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University.

Rodrigo Davoli became Sylvamo’s senior vice president and general manager, Latin America, at its inception as a spinoff on International Paper. Rodrigo entered the paper and packaging industry in 1993 and with the merger of Champion International, joined International Paper in 2000. He has held a variety of leadership roles in finance, strategic planning, marketing and sales and in 2017, was named vice president, Latin America Printing Papers and president of International Paper Brazil.

Rodrigo serves on the Brazilian Pulp and Paper Association Board. He holds a bachelor’s degree in law from Unipinhal University (Brazil) and an International Executive Master of Business Administration from São Paulo University (Brazil).

Gregory C. Gibson became Sylvamo’s senior vice president and general manager, North America, at its inception as a spinoff of International Paper. A part of the paper and packaging industry since 1982, Gregory joined International Paper in 2000 through the company’s merger with Champion International. He served as vice president and general manager for multiple International Paper commercial divisions, including Commercial Printing and Imaging papers, European Papers, European Packaging and North American Papers.

Gregory served on numerous boards including American Forest & Paper Association, Confederation of European Paper Industries and United Way of the Mid-South. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from DePauw University.

Peggy Maes became Sylvamo’s senior vice president and chief people officer at its inception as a spinoff of International Paper. Peggy joined International Paper in 2014 as human resources director, Europe, Middle East and Africa and has 37 years of human resources experience, including helping multi-national corporations with start-ups, turnarounds, acquisitions and spinoffs. She spent 15 years working in high-tech industries, HR consulting roles, as well as global human resources and talent management for Ingersoll Rand and Stanley Black & Decker.

Peggy has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Instituut FUNCK (Belgium) and a Master of General Management from Solvay Brussels School (Belgium).

Oliver Taudien became Sylvamo’s senior vice president and general manager, Europe, at its inception as a spinoff of International Paper. Oliver joined International Paper in 1998 and held leadership roles across multiple geographic regions in finance and strategy, information technology and general management. He served in roles such as finance director for Europe, Middle East and Africa Packaging, Information Technology director and general manager for the Corrugated Packaging business in Italy. Most recently, he served as chief financial officer and strategy director for Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Oliver has a Master of Business from the University of Cologne (Germany).

Patrick Wilczynski became Sylvamo’s senior vice president, Operational Excellence, at its inception as a spinoff of International Paper. Patrick joined International Paper in 1992 and held a variety of leadership roles. In 2012, he was named vice president, Manufacturing, for Europe, Middle East and Africa. He later served as vice president, Global Manufacturing Safety, where he helped establish the company’s safety leading indicators program. Patrick’s most recent role was vice president, Capital Effectiveness.

Patrick served on the board of the American Forest and Paper Association and has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering technology from Pennsylvania State University.