MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Verso Corporation announced that B. Christopher DiSantis will become the chief executive officer and a director of Verso effective as of February 1, 2017.

An entrepreneurial leader with extensive manufacturing experience, DiSantis brings to Verso a proven record of success in leading disciplined, high performance teams focused on driving shareholder value.

"Chris has demonstrated an exceptional ability to lead organizations to higher levels of growth and performance, even in very challenging market environments, and we're excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for Verso under his leadership," said Verso Chairman of the Board Robert M. Amen. "His outstanding experience and passion for engaging our employees, serving our customers and delivering results for our shareholders will help make Verso a stronger, more competitive company for the future."

Prior to joining Verso, DiSantis served in executive leadership roles for several companies, leading teams that drove tangible productivity gains in operations, grew sales via new product development and implemented creative market strategies to enhance equity returns. Since 2012, he was the CEO of H-D Advanced Manufacturing Company, a diversified enterprise that manufactures motion control products for the aerospace, defense, energy and industrial markets. From 2011 to 2012, DiSantis was the CEO of Latrobe Specialty Metals, Inc. (now a part of Carpenter Technology Corporation), a worldwide supplier of essential premium alloys for the aerospace, defense, high speed and tool steel sectors. Before joining Latrobe, he served for a decade in positions of increasing responsibility, most recently as president, at Hawk Corporation, a global manufacturer of braking and power transmission friction products (formerly a public entity - NYSE Amex: HWK).

"I'm thrilled to join Verso's outstanding team as the company continues its evolution in a rapidly changing marketplace," DiSantis said. "Our diverse product portfolio, flexible manufacturing platform, unparalleled customer service and firmly established customer base provide a solid foundation to build upon as Verso expands into important new grades and markets."

DiSantis graduated summa cum laude from Dartmouth College with a bachelor's degree in mathematics and economics. In 2009, Crain's Cleveland Business named him to its class of "Forty under 40."

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