The board of directors of Verso Paper Corp. oversees the conduct of Verso's business to evaluate whether the business is being managed properly and in a way that serves the interests of Verso's shareholders. To facilitate its work, the board of directors has formed the following three committees which exercise the board's power and authority in overseeing the management of specific aspects of our business:  Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. Each committee operates under a charter that has been adopted by the board of directors.

Board of Directors and Committees

* Chair of the Committee

Board Committees

Our board committees review, audit and oversee the performance and policies of Verso Paper Corp.

Board Member Bios

Michael E. Ducey has been a director of Verso since March 2007 and a member and the chairman of our Audit Committee since May 2008. Mike was President and Chief Executive Officer of Compass Minerals International, Inc., a producer of salt and specialty fertilizers, from 2002 to 2006, and he remains a consultant to Compass Minerals. From 1972 to 2002, he worked for Borden Chemical, Inc., a diversified chemical company. During his 30-year career with Borden Chemical, Mike held various management, sales, marketing, planning and commercial development positions, including serving as President and Chief Executive Officer from 1999 to 2002 and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer from 1997 to 1999. 

Mike has been a director and a member of the audit committee of Smurfit-Stone Container, Inc., a leading North American producer of corrugated containers, since 2010; the Lead Director and a member of the audit committee and nominations and governance committee of HaloSource, Inc., a global producer of water purification and disinfecting technologies, since 2010; and a director, the Non-Executive Chairman and a member of the audit committee of TPC Group, Inc., a producer of hydrocarbon derivatives, since 2009. Mike was a director and member of the compensation committee of UAP Holding Corp., the parent of United Agri Products, Inc., from 2006 to 2008. He also was a director and a member of the environmental, health and safety committee of Compass Minerals from 2002 to 2006. 

Mike's broad experience in operations, strategic planning, management and manufacturing, gained from his lengthy career with Compass Minerals and Borden Chemical, is valuable to our board of directors. His background in manufacturing provides experience with complex challenges and opportunities that are comparable to those that we sometimes face as a manufacturer, and his years of experiences as President and Chief Executive Officer of Compass Minerals and Borden Chemical provides valuable insight on which he can draw while overseeing our management. In addition, Mike's service as a director of other companies augments his knowledge of effective corporate governance. 
 

Thomas Gutierrez has been a director of Verso since November 2008 and a member of our Audit Committee since May 2009. He has been President and Chief Executive Officer of GT Solar International, Inc., a global provider of specialized equipment, technology and services for the solar power industry, since 2009. Tom was Chief Executive Officer of PhytoChem Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a development-stage pharmaceutical company, from its inception in January 2009 to November 2009. He was Chief Executive Officer of Xerium Technologies Inc., a leading global manufacturer of synthetic textiles and specialty roll covers used in the production of paper, from 2001 to 2008. From 1995 to 2001, Tom was Chief Executive Officer of three separate business units of Invensys plc, a global leader in technology used to monitor, control and automate processes. He was Chief Operating Officer of Pulse Engineering, Inc., a manufacturer of electronic components for telecommunications and power applications, from 1992 to 1994. Earlier in his career, Tom held management, technical and engineering positions with Pitney Bowes Inc., Franklin Computer Corporation, Motorola, Inc., and Digital Equipment Corporation. 

Tom has been a director and member of the governance committee of Veeco Instruments Inc., a producer of process equipment for LED, solar and data storage manufacturers, since 2010; a director of GT Solar International since 2009; and a director of PhytoChem Pharmaceuticals since 2009. He was a director of Comverge, Inc., a provider of clean energy alternatives, and a member of its audit committee, compensation committee, and nominating and corporate governance committee from 2009 to 2010; and a director of Xerium Technologies from 2001 to 2008.

Tom's extensive experience in various industries, including manufacturing, provides him with a breadth and depth of knowledge that informs his oversight of our organization as a director. His background of providing leadership, as the most senior executive and as director, of various companies provides him with experience in guiding organizations through complex challenges and opportunities. In addition, from his many years of experience as the president and chief executive officer of large companies, Tom has developed expertise in managing enterprises that enhances his oversight of our management and the guidance that he provides as our director. His service as a director of other companies augments his knowledge of effective corporate governance. 

Michael A. Jackson has been a director of Verso, as well as our President and Chief Executive Officer, since November 2006.  Before joining us, he worked at Weyerhaeuser Company from 1977 to 2006. During his 29-year career with Weyerhaeuser, Mike was Senior Vice President responsible for the Cellulose Fibers, White Papers, Newsprint and Liquid Packaging Board businesses from 2004 to 2006, Vice President of the Fine Papers business from 2002 to 2004, Vice President of the Business Papers business from 2000 to 2002, Vice President of the Recycling business from 1998 to 2000, Vice President of Human Resources and Quality for the Container Board Packaging business from 1993 to 1998, and General Manager of the Tri-Wall business and other packaging plants from 1990 to 1993. On behalf of Weyerhaeuser, Mike served from 2005 to 2006 as a director and Chair of the Board of North Pacific Paper Corporation (NORPAC), a joint venture with Japan’s Nippon Paper Industries which produces newsprint and uncoated groundwood paper.

From his many years in the paper and forest products industry, Mike has attained a wealth of knowledge about industry matters of importance to us and experience in meeting many challenges presented by, and identifying and exploiting opportunities available in, our industry. His knowledge and experience make him well suited not only to serve as our President and Chief Executive officer, but also enhance board discussions with his industry-specific expertise. In addition, as our President and Chief Executive Officer, Mike is uniquely positioned as a director to contribute his in-depth knowledge of our organization and other matters relating to our business to board discussions and decision-making. 

Scott M. Kleinman has been a director and the Chairman of the Board of Verso since August 2006. He also has been a member and the chairman of our Compensation Committee and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee since May 2008, and was a member and the chairman of our Audit Committee from May to August 2008. Scott is a partner of Apollo Management, L.P., a global alternative asset manager, where he has worked since 1996. He was employed as an analyst at Smith Barney Inc. in its Investment Banking division from 1994 to 1996. 

Scott has been a director and a member of the audit committee, compensation committee, and nominating and corporate governance committee of LyondellBasell Industries, B.V., a worldwide plastics, chemical and refining company, since 2010; a director and member of the environmental, health and safety committee of Noranda Aluminum Holding Corporation, a producer of aluminum products, since 2007; a director of Realogy Corporation, a provider of residential real estate and relocation services, since 2007; and a director and member of the audit committee of Momentive Performance Materials, Inc., a producer of silicones and silicone derivatives, since 2010. He was a director and member of the executive committee, audit committee, compensation committee, and environmental, health and safety committee of Momentive Specialty Chemicals, Inc. (formerly Hexion Specialty Chemicals Inc.), a producer of thermoset resin technologies, between 2004 and 2010; and a director of Compass Minerals, Inc., a producer of salt and specialty fertilizers, from 2001 through 2004.

With significant experience in financing, analyzing, investing in and managing investments in public and private companies, Scott has gained substantial expertise in strategic and financial matters that inform his contributions to our board of directors and enhance his oversight and direction of us. In addition, he led the Apollo diligence team that managed the acquisition of Verso from International Paper in 2006, which provided him with a unique knowledge of our organization. Scott's service as a director of other companies in a variety of industries gives him a range of experience as a director on which he can draw in serving as our director and augments his knowledge of effective corporate governance.

David W. Oskin has been a director of Verso since January 2007. He also has been a member of our Audit Committee since August 2008 and our Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee since May 2008. David has been President of Four Winds Ventures, LLC, a private investment company, since 2005, and was a consultant to the paper and finance industries in 2004. He previously worked for 29 years in the paper and forest products industries in various management, distribution, sales and marketing, quality management, human resources and other positions. David spent most of his career with International Paper, where he worked initially from 1975 to 1991 and then again as an Executive Vice President from 1996 to 2003. From 1992 to 1995, he was Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Carter Holt Harvey Limited, a New Zealand based forest products company. 

David has been a director of Rayonier Inc., an international forest products company, since 2009, a member of its governance and nominating committee and compensation and management development committee since 2010, and was a member of its audit committee from 2009 to 2010; a director and member of the audit committee and remuneration committee of Samling Global Limited, a timber and forest products concern, since 2005; a director of Pacific Millennium Corporation, a privately held packaging company, since 2003; and a director of Big Earth Publishing LLC, a publisher of books and magazines, since 2003. He was a director and member of the executive committee and audit committee of Goodman Global Inc., a manufacturer of heating, ventilation and air conditioning products, from 2006 to 2008. David also was Chair of the Board of Trustees of Widener University from 2001 to 2009 and currently is the Chair Emeritus.

David's significant management experience in the paper and forest products industry, in a wide range of areas such as distribution, sales and marketing, quality management, and human resources, and his service on the boards of directors of various companies in this industry, provide him with a substantial knowledge base on which he can draw in providing oversight and input as our director. He has expertise in managing enterprises from his many years with International Paper and Carter Holt Harvey Limited that informs his guidance of our management. His current service as a director of a publisher of books and magazines gives him experience relevant to our customer base. David's service as a director of other companies augments his knowledge of effective corporate governance.

Eric L. (Rick) Press has been a director of Verso since January 2009. He is a partner of Apollo Management, L.P., where he has worked since 1998 analyzing and overseeing Apollo’s investments in basic industries, financial services, lodging, leisure and entertainment companies. Rick was an associate with the Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz law firm, specializing in mergers, acquisitions, restructurings and related financing transactions, from 1992 to 1998. He was a consultant with The Boston Consulting Group from 1987 to 1989. 

Rick has been a director of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc., a real estate investment trust, since 2009; a director and member of the audit committee of Caesars Entertainment Corporation (formerly Harrah’s Entertainment Inc.), a gaming company, since 2008; a director and member of the executive committee and compensation committee of Noranda Aluminum Holding Corporation, a producer of aluminum products, since 2007, and a member of its nominating and governance committee and pricing committee since 2010; a director and member of the compensation committee of Affinion Group, Inc., a provider of marketing products and services, since 2006; and a director and member of the compensation committee of Metals USA, Inc., a metal service center and processor of metal components, since 2005. He was a director of Quality Distribution, Inc., a bulk tank truck network operator, from 2004 to 2008; a director of Wyndham International, Inc., a lodging franchisor, from May 2005 to August 2005; a director of Innkeepers USA Trust, a real estate investment trust and owner of upscale extended-stay hotel properties, from 2007 to 2010; and a director of AEP Industries, Inc., a flexible packaging film producer, from 2004 to 2005.

Rick's extensive background in financing, analyzing and managing investments, and his prior background as an attorney specializing in mergers, acquisitions, restructurings and related financing transactions, provides him with considerable experience in identifying and analyzing operational, financial and management matters that affect equity investments. These skills are highly pertinent to his oversight of our business, financial performance and management. His service as a director of other companies in a variety of industries provides him with a range of experience and increases his knowledge of effective corporate governance. 

LH Puckett, Jr. has been a director of Verso since August 2006 and was our President and Chief Executive Officer from August 2006 until his retirement in November 2006. He was Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing, of National Envelope Corporation from January 2010 until September 2010, when substantially all of its assets were sold in connection with a bankruptcy petition that National Envelope Corporation voluntarily filed in June 2010 under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. 

LH has worked in the paper industry for over 33 years in various sales, marketing and management capacities. He worked at International Paper from 1999 to 2006, where he was Senior Vice President of the Coated and Supercalendered Papers Division from 2000 to 2006 and Vice President of the Commercial Printing and Imaging Papers businesses from 1999 to 2000. LH worked at Union Camp Corporation from 1974 until its acquisition by International Paper in 1999, where he was Senior Vice President of the Fine Papers business from 1998 to 1999. 

LH brings to our board of directors considerable experience in the paper industry, including a combined seven years serving as the principal executive officer of our business when it was a division of International Paper and as our President and Chief Executive Officer until November 2006. His experience in managing our business provides him with an in-depth understanding of us that is useful in providing guidance to our management. His significant industry experience and in-depth knowledge of our business enhances his oversight of us and provides him with insight into matters of importance to our organization.

David B. Sambur has been a director of Verso since February 2008 and a member of our Compensation Committee since May 2008. He also was a member of our Audit Committee from May 2008 to May 2009. David is a principal of Apollo Management, L.P., a global alternative asset manager, where he has worked since 2004. He was a member of the Leveraged Finance Group of Salomon Smith Barney Inc. from 2002 to 2004.

David has been a director of Caesars Entertainment Corporation, a gaming company, since 2010; a director and member of the audit committee and compensation committee of Momentive Performance Materials. Inc., a producer of silicones and silicone derivatives, since 2010; and a director and member of the audit committee and compensation committee of Momentive Specialty Chemicals, Inc., a producer of thermoset resin technologies, since 2010.

With experience in financing, analyzing and investing in public and private companies, David has gained substantial expertise in strategic and financial matters that inform his contributions to our board of directors and contribute to his ability to conduct oversight of our business, financial performance and management. David participated in the diligence and structuring of Apollo’s 2006 acquisition of Verso Paper Corp. from International Paper, which provided him with unique insight into our organization and business. In addition, his service on the boards of directors of other companies augments his knowledge of effective corporate governance.

Jordan C. Zaken has been a director of Verso since August 2006 and a member of our Compensation Committee since May 2008. He is a partner of Apollo Management, L.P., a global alternative asset manager, where he has worked since 1999. Jordan was employed by Goldman, Sachs & Co. in its Mergers and Acquisitions Department from 1997 to 1999. 

Jordan has been a director and member of the compensation committee of Momentive Performance Materials Inc., a producer of silicones and silicone derivatives, since 2010; and a director of Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc., a producer of thermoset resin technologies, since 2005, and a member and chairman of its compensation committee since 2006. He was a director of Parallel Petroleum Corp., an oil and gas producer, in 2009; and a director of AEP Industries, Inc., a producer of flexible packaging film, from 2004 until 2005.

Jordan's background in financing, analyzing and investing in companies provides him with expertise in identifying and analyzing operational, financial and management matters that affect equity investments. This enables him as a director to more successfully oversee our business, financial performance and management. His service as a director of other companies provides experience on which he can draw in serving as our director and increases his knowledge of effective corporate governance.