Our Leaders

Andrew “Andy” Silvernail joined International Paper as Chief Executive Officer on May 1, 2024. He became chairman of the International Paper Board of Directors on October 1, 2024.

Silvernail has two decades of experience leading global companies in the manufacturing and technology sectors. He joins IP from KKR & Co., Inc., a global investment firm, where he served as an executive advisor. Silvernail served as the Chairman and CEO of Madison Industries, one of the world's largest privately held companies. Prior to that, Silvernail served as Chairman and CEO of IDEX Corporation from 2011 to 2020. Employee engagement reached best-in-class performance and total shareholder return grew by more than 500% during his tenure at IDEX. Silvernail previously held executive positions at Rexnord Industries, Newell Rubbermaid and Danaher Corporation. He serves on the Board of Directors of Stryker Corporation.

Silvernail earned a bachelor’s degree in government from Dartmouth College and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. 

Clay Ellis joined International Paper in 1992. Over the course of his career, he has served in a variety of manufacturing, engineering, technical, commercial and leadership roles.

He became an officer of the company in 2012. In 2019, he was elected senior vice president, Enterprise Operational Excellence. In 2023, Ellis was named into his current role, senior vice president Global Cellulose Fibers.

He serves on the board of The National Council for Air and Stream Improvement, Inc. (NCASI) as well as Seeding Success, which is a Memphis “cradle to career” partnership for children. Ellis previously served on the board of directors for the National Paper Trade Association and AF&PA printing, writing and pulp sectors, as well as the Memphis Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Ellis earned a bachelor of science in chemical engineering from Louisiana State University, and completed Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program.

Tom Hamic joined International Paper in 1991. Over the course of his career, he  has served in a variety of sales, marketing, finance, strategic planning and leadership roles in the United States and Europe. 

In 2009, Hamic was named a company officer, and in 2018, he was elected senior vice president. From 2020 to 2022, Hamic led IP’s Global Cellulose Fibers business and the company’s commercial efforts. In 2023, Hamic was named senior vice president, North American Container and Chief Commercial Officer.

Hamic holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and a Masters of Business Administration – both from the University of Virginia.  

Tim Nicholls was elected International Paper’s senior vice president and chief financial officer in June 2018, a position he previously held from 2007 to 2011. In October 2024, in addition to his role of chief financial officer, Tim was named the interim leader of the company’s business in EMEA, which became effective upon the closing of the acquisition of DS Smith. 

Nicholls has nearly three decades of experience in the packaging and paper industry. He joined International Paper in 1999 through the company's acquisition of Union Camp, where he held a series of finance, business planning and leadership positions. He has held numerous roles at International Paper including senior vice president, industrial packaging the Americas, leading the company’s papers and pulp the Americas business and serving as vice president and chief financial officer for International Paper Europe. He was also president of Weldwood, formerly a wholly-owned subsidiary of International Paper in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Joy Roman joined International Paper as Senior Vice President, Chief People and Strategy Officer on February 1, 2025. She leads International Paper’s efforts in talent development, organizational effectiveness, and corporate strategy. In addition to her HR and strategy roles, Joy has responsibility for maximizing the company’s overall impact through the Sustainability and Communications functions.

Before joining IP, she served as Chief People & Strategy Officer at Berry Global, a manufacturer and marketer of plastic packaging solutions, since April 2024. Prior to her time at Berry Global, she spent 10 years at 3M in roles of increasing responsibility across the strategy and human resources functions before transitioning to Chief Human Resources Officer roles at Toll Brothers and the De Beers Group. Joy began her career as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company.

Joy has lived and worked in the United States, Asia, the UK and Europe. She holds a master’s degree in business administration from the Yale School of Management and a bachelor’s degree in English and communications from the University of Wisconsin.

Joseph Saab joined International Paper in 2001 as legal counsel for Environment, Health and Safety after working as an environmental lawyer for several years. From 2005-2010, he served in various positions in the corporate law group, including chief counsel – global governance and compliance and general counsel, Paper the Americas. In 2014, Saab was named associate general counsel – Industrial Packaging, Europe, Middle East and Africa. 

In 2019, Saab was named vice president, deputy general counsel, and assistant corporate secretary where he maintained responsibility for corporate law and enterprise operational excellence, as well as overseeing support for and advising the Board of Directors. He was elected senior vice president, general counsel & corporate secretary on July 1, 2022.