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West Fraser appoints Eric L. Butler to its board of directors

West Fraser Timber announced the appointment of Eric L. Butler to its board of directors.

The company explains in a press statement that Butler is an accomplished executive and leader. Following his retirement from a 32-year career with Union Pacific, one of the largest freight rail providers in North America, he is a corporate director and president and CEO of Aswani-Butler Investment Associates, a private equity firm. Currently, he is a member of the board of directors of NiSource and the Eastman Chemicals Company and has served in the past in a number of appointments, including as the former chair of the board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City – Omaha Branch.

“I am pleased to announce that Eric Butler has been appointed to the Board of Directors and welcome him to West Fraser,” said Hank Ketcham, board chair at West Fraser. “He is a well-respected director, bringing a rare blend of operations and commercial perspectives to the boardroom – uniquely important skills given West Fraser’s large and growing presence in the southeastern United States.”

Butler retired from Union Pacific in 2017 as executive vice-president and chief administrative officer, after a career which saw him lead a wide variety of company functions and initiatives. These included marketing and sales, purchasing and supply chain, financial planning and analysis, strategic planning, human resources, industrial engineering and transportation.

Having studied at Carnegie Mellon University, Butler holds both a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science degree in Industrial Administration from the university.