Billerud names Ivar Vatne as CEO, Dan Burke assumes CFO and Treasurer role at Monadnock Paper Mills

SWEDEN – The Board of Billerud has appointed Ivar Vatne as the new President and CEO, succeeding Christoph Michalski, who vacated the position in July.

Vatne, who has been serving as the acting President and CEO since July 2023, steps into the permanent role immediately.

Jan Svensson, Chairman of Billerud, shared insights on the rigorous selection process undertaken by the Board, considering both internal and external candidates.

He expressed satisfaction in appointing Vatne, highlighting his leadership qualities, profound understanding of the company’s strategic trajectory, and demonstrated commitment to driving continuous improvements for sustained competitiveness.

Vatne’s journey within Billerud commenced as CFO in May 2019, followed by his appointment as Deputy CEO in October 2022. His extensive experience includes senior roles at Arla, Fiskars, and P&G, positioning him well for this elevated leadership responsibility.

Expressing his gratitude and sense of honor, Ivar Vatne, the newly appointed President and CEO of Billerud, emphasized his anticipation of unleashing the company’s latent potential and fostering its growth.

Monadnock names new CFO and Treasurer

In a parallel development, Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc., the United States’ oldest continuously operating paper mill, has named Daniel J. Burke as their new Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Burke will take over from Andrew Manns upon his retirement in the upcoming year.

Richard Verney, Chairman and CEO of Monadnock Paper Mills, conveyed gratitude for Manns’ contributions and expressed confidence in Burke’s capabilities.

With over 22 years of financial management experience in the manufacturing and distribution industries, Burke’s appointment is anticipated to bolster Monadnock’s trajectory, aligning with its growth and success.

Burke’s prior roles, notably as corporate controller at Velcro Companies and vice president of finance at Iredale Cosmetics, underscore his expertise in financial management.

His proficiency in implementing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems aligns with Monadnock’s commitment to operational efficiency and technology adoption.

Enthusiastic about his new role, Burke highlighted his eagerness to lead and contribute to Monadnock’s sustainability goals, ensuring environmentally responsible practices throughout the company’s operations.

Last month, Monadnock appointed Dr. Heather Starkey to the role of Research Scientist.

According to the company, Starkey will leverage her wide range of professional and academic expertise to work closely with the manufacturing and sales departments in developing the next generation of sustainable and durable materials for the printing and packaging industries.

Starkey has worked at Georgia-Pacific, Chung Hwa Pulp Corporation, and most recently Ingredion, where she led cross-functional product teams developing new starch technologies for adhesive applications and barrier coatings.

She earned bachelor of science degrees in Pulp and Paper Engineering and Chemical Engineering from North Carolina State University, where she also earned her doctorate in Forest Biomaterials.

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