Atlas Paper Mills Appoints Jim Brown Chief Executive Officer

MIAMI, Nov. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Atlas Paper Mills, LLC ("Atlas" or the "Company"), a leading manufacturer of recycled fiber tissue products and a portfolio company of Peak Rock Capital LLC, announced today that Jim Brown has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.  Mr. Brown succeeds Joe Tadeo, who will be leaving the Company to pursue outside interests.

Mr. Brown joins Atlas with over 25 years of professional experience in paper packaging and related sectors, most recently serving as an Executive Vice President at Duro Bag Manufacturing Company ("Duro Bag"), the world's largest manufacturer and marketer of high-quality paper bags. Duro Bag produces over 20 billion bags annually and operates nine facilities across North America.

Peter Leibman, a Board member of Atlas, commented on Mr. Brown's appointment, stating, "We are delighted to have someone of Jim Brown's caliber join Atlas as Chief Executive Officer. Jim has an impressive track record of building strong customer relationships, enhancing operations and delivering exceptional results. His background and experience are well suited for leading Atlas, as the Company continues to execute on its business plan, featuring both organic growth and strategic add-on acquisitions."

Mr. Leibman continued, "On behalf of the Board, we would like to thank Joe Tadeo for his service and leadership. During his tenure as CEO, Joe helped grow and build Atlas into the outstanding company it is today."

Mr. Brown said, "These are exciting times for Atlas and I am extremely honored to lead this great company into the future and to succeed Joe Tadeo as CEO.  Atlas is well-positioned for significant growth and industry leadership, building on its strong roots as a manufacturer of recycled tissue products. Working alongside the Board, Atlas plans to continue expanding its product offerings and build on its well regarded legacy.

Prior to joining Duro Bag, Mr. Brown spent 26 years in various executive positions with Sonoco Products Company, a multi-billion dollar global provider of consumer packaging, industrial products, protective packaging and packaging supply chain services.  While with Sonoco, Mr. Brown served as Vice President of Sonoco Recycling Inc., responsible for oversight of all twenty six business units in North America.  He also held the position of President of Sonoco Sustainability Solutions, LLC. Mr. Brown has a B.S. in Industrial Technology from Western Washington University.

ABOUT ATLAS PAPER MILLS

Atlas Paper Mills is a Miami, FL based manufacturer of tissue products, utilizing recycled fiber. Atlas supplies private label and branded bath tissue, towels and facial tissue to a diversified mix of customers in the away-from-home and value retail channels. Atlas produces approximately 34,000 tons of recycled tissue products per year and converts approximately three million cases of tissue and towels. For further information about Atlas Paper Mills, please visit www.atlaspapermills.com.

ABOUT PEAK ROCK CAPITAL

Peak Rock Capital is an Austin, TX based private equity firm that makes debt and equity investments in middle market companies. Peak Rock invests in companies where it can support senior management in driving rapid growth and profit improvement through operational and strategic changes. Peak Rock's principals have deep expertise in complex situations, with the ability to provide tailored capital solutions and close transactions quickly where speed and certainty are priorities. For further information about Peak Rock Capital, please visit www.peakrockcapital.com.

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SOURCE Peak Rock Capital