TAPPI, the leading association for the pulp, paper, tissue, packaging and converting industry is pleased to announce that Tony Smurfit, Group Chief Executive Officer and President of Smurfit Westrock, has been named TAPPI/PIMA Executive of the Year. Among the highest honors bestowed by TAPPI and PIMA, the Executive of the Year Award is presented to senior-level executives in the pulp, paper or converting industries for excellence in management and outstanding contributions to the industry.
“Tony’s visionary leadership is having a transformative effect on the global packaging industry,” said TAPPI President and CEO Larry N. Montague. “It’s truly inspiring to see someone so dedicated to sustainability and the circular economy at the helm of one of the industry’s leading organizations. I’m looking forward to presenting the award to Tony at TAPPICon.”
Smurfit joined Smurfit Kappa in 1986 and has held several management roles in the company throughout his career in both the United States and Europe. He was Chief Executive of Smurfit Kappa Europe from 1999 to 2002 before becoming the Group Chief Operations Officer; a role he held from 2002 to 2015. Smurfit was elected to the Board of Directors in 1989.
Smurfit is a member of the European Round Table of Industrialists and holds an Honorary Fellowship of Medicine and an Honorary Doctorate of Science from University College Dublin. He graduated from the University of Scranton in 1995 with a degree in Management Science.
In September 2023, Smurfit Kappa and WestRock announced their combination to create the go-to leader and partner of choice in sustainable packaging. The company operates in 40 countries with a team of 100,000 employees and combined sales of approximately US$31 billion.
