Stella-Jones Announces Appointment of a New Chair of the Board

• Appointment of independent Director, Katherine A. Lehman as Chair of the Board
• Establishment of Governance and Nomination Committee
• Implementation of Additional Governance Initiatives

MONTREAL, Sept. 25, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stella-Jones Inc. (TSX: SJ) (“Stella-Jones” or the “Company”) today announced the appointment of independent Director, Katherine A. Lehman as the Company’s Chair of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) and confirmed the implementation of enhanced governance initiatives.

Ms. Lehman has served on Stella-Jones’ Board of Directors and Audit Committee since 2016. She is Managing Partner at Hilltop Private Capital LLC, a private equity firm based in New York and has garnered more than a decade of experience in private equity executive roles and board memberships, including public and private and profit and not-for-profit entities. Holding a Masters in Business Administration from Columbia Business School and a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Ms. Lehman’s background in financial analysis, capital allocation and her governance expertise positions her well to lead Stella-Jones’ Board.

Commenting on her appointment, Ms. Lehman said: “I’m honored and delighted to accept the appointment as the Chair of the Board of Stella-Jones and look forward to building upon the Company’s solid core values and exceptional record.” President and CEO, Brian McManus added, “The appointment of an independent Chair is one of many steps toward the implementation of a robust corporate governance framework, drawing on the Board’s collective experience while welcoming new and refreshed perspectives”.

In addition, Stella-Jones also announced the establishment of a Governance and Nomination Committee comprised solely of independent directors, whose primary function shall be to oversee and implement compliance with effective corporate governance rules, principals and policies.

In support of the governance initiatives, longstanding Board members Daniel Picotte and Nycol Pageau-Goyette announced that they would be stepping down in May of 2019. “I would like to thank Daniel Picotte and Nycol Pageau-Goyette for their many years of dedicated service as members of the Board,” stated President and CEO, Brian McManus. “We look forward to benefitting from their valuable insights as they bring to a conclusion their outstanding service to the Board.”

ABOUT STELLA-JONES

Stella-Jones Inc. (TSX: SJ) is a leading producer and marketer of pressure treated wood products. The Company supplies North America’s railroad operators with railway ties and timbers, and the continent’s electrical utilities and telecommunication companies with utility poles. Stella-Jones also manufactures and distributes residential lumber and accessories to retailers for outdoor applications, as well as industrial products for construction and marine applications. The Company’s common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

This press release may contain information and statements of a forward-looking nature. These statements are based on suppositions and uncertainties as well as on management’s best possible evaluation of future events. Such factors may include, without excluding other considerations, fluctuations in quarterly results, evolution in customer demand for the Company’s products and services, the impact of price pressures exerted by competitors, the ability of the Company to raise the capital required for acquisitions, and general market trends or economic changes. As a result, readers are advised that actual results may differ from expected results.