Feb. 1, 2018 – Resolute Forest Products Inc. today announced the selection and appointment of Yves Laflamme as its new president and CEO, and a member of the board of directors, succeeding Richard Garneau.
Laflamme previously served as senior vice president, Wood Products, Global Procurement and Information Technology for Resolute. A 37-year veteran of the industry, he began his career in finance working at Donohue Inc.’s Saint-Félicien integrated pulp mill and wood products operations in 1981, and moved on to serve as controller for the company’s integrated newsprint and wood products facilities in the Abitibi region of Quebec.
“I am honoured to now lead Resolute as we take our next steps, further defining our collective future. We will build on the positive momentum, and continue to make Resolute a profitable and sustainable company,” said Laflamme. “Richard led by example, exemplified principled leadership, and built upon his knowledge with a commitment to life-long learning. We are very pleased that Richard has agreed to stay on in an advisory capacity working with me on specific mandates.”
Over the past 15 years, he held a series of successive roles as vice president and senior vice president, covering the overall wood products business, including both operations and sales, as well as the company’s former recycling business. Over the past several years, Laflamme expanded his scope to also include a wide range of corporate support functions, including IT and global procurement, among others. In addition, he led a number of mandates for the company, including M&A activity and enterprise resource planning (ERP), and has represented Resolute in major negotiations with governments.
Laflamme currently serves as chairman of Resolute-LP Engineered Wood joint ventures, a board member of Toundra Greenhouse, an executive team member of the Quebec Forest Industry Council, and is a past chairman of the Canadian Wood Council. He is a CPA (CMA), after pursuing his university education in administration and finance.
“The Resolute board of directors enthusiastically supports Yves Laflamme’s selection, recognizing his good judgment and strong business acumen. Yves has a strong reputation in the industry, a well-refined focus on costs, and built teams that consistently deliver results. There is no better person to lead Resolute into the future,” said Bradley P. Martin, chairman of the board. “The choice of an internal candidate to succeed Richard Garneau is a credit to the internal talent developed by the company. Yves’ appointment is also a reaffirmation of our strategic direction.”
Garneau’s retirement announcement coincides with the announcement of the company’s fourth quarter and 2017 annual results.
The company said that under Garneau’s leadership, it established a “competitive cost structure and diversified asset base, a conservative capital structure and a sustainable business strategy. His unwavering commitment to a safe workplace and environmental stewardship has earned North American and global recognition.”
“Resolute is a stronger, more dynamic and far more sustainable company today following Richard’s seven-year tenure as president and CEO,” added Martin. “Richard personified courageous leadership, not only tackling complex issues but also challenging the status quo. Richard above all else is a man of his word, and Resolute in turn reflects this transparency and integrity. His principled leadership and insistence on truly sustainable outcomes have set the foundation for shared prosperity.”
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