WestRock names successor to general counsel

WestRock Company is hiring Denise Cade as executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary, effective March 4.

She will succeed Robert McIntosh, who will retire from the Atlanta, Georgia-based paper and packaging company. McIntosh was senior vice president, general counsel and secretary from 2000 to 2008 and vice president and general counsel from 1995 to 1999.

‘During McIntosh’s 27-year career with Rock-Tenn and then WestRock, he has overseen the company’s legal strategy and corporate governance as it grew from approximately $900 mn in revenue when he joined to approximately $19 bn today,’ WestRock says in an announcement.

Cade is joining WestRock from IDEX Corporation, where she has been senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary with responsibility for all legal, regulatory, compliance and corporate governance matters.

Before IDEX, she was senior vice president, general counsel, corporate secretary and chief compliance officer for SunCoke Energy and its controlled company SunCoke Energy Partners. Between 2005 and 2011, she held several positions with PPG Industries, including assistant general counsel for securities and finance and corporate secretary. Previously Cade was a partner at Shaw Pittman in Washington, DC.

WestRock CEO David Sewell says in a statement: ‘Throughout his career, Bob has played an instrumental leadership role at WestRock. He has provided sound legal counsel and led our efforts on many mergers and acquisitions, contributing to the growth of the company during his tenure. The team at WestRock wishes Bob the very best in retirement.

‘Denise’s extensive experience with global businesses will provide valuable perspective… I am excited to have her join our team and look forward to her leadership and guidance as the company’s general counsel.’