Berry Plastics CEO to Retire

Rich has led the company for the last six years.

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Evansville-based Berry Plastics Group Inc. (NYSE: BERY) has detailed a succession plan at the top. Jon Rich, who has been chief executive officer and board chair since 2010, has announced plans to retire from day-today operations in February. Consumer Packaging Division President Tom Salmon has been named president and chief operating officer as part of the transition process.

Rich will stay on with the company as executive chairman of its board of directors. "The creation of the president and chief operating officer role is the next step in our ongoing succession process," Rich said. "Tom’s background, experience and track record of success leading multiple Berry divisions throughout his career with the company make him eminently qualified to take on this important leadership role." The company has been publicly traded since 2012 and Rich says it has a "strong leadership team and the time is right for the next generation to take Berry into the future."

Salmon has been with Berry Plastics for nearly 10 years. He came on following the acquisition of Covalence Specialty Materials, where he served as head of its adhesives division for four years. He spent seven years as president of the Berry Plastics Engineering Packaging Division before moving to president of the Rigid Closed Top Division in 2014, then president of Consumer Packaging last year. His previous experience includes positions with Honeywell Plastics, Allied Signal’s Engineering Plastics and Films business and General Electric’s Plastics and Lighting divisions.

Salmon says "I’m excited to take on this new role as Berry’s president and chief operating officer. I look forward to continuing Berry’s long history of delivering value to our customers and shareholders while providing great opportunities for our employees and the communities where we are located." He will remain president of Consumer Packaging until a replacement is named.