Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Potlatch Makes Appointment

Potlatch Corporation chairman and chief executive officer L. Pendleton Siegel has announced the appointment of Michael W. DeGenring to the newly created position of executive vice president, finance and administration, reporting to Siegel.

DeGenring joins Potlatch on September 1 after 21 years with Atlantic Richfield Co. (ARCO), during which he held several senior positions in finance and administration. His most recent position was as chief financial officer with ARCO Coal Co.

In his new position with Potlatch, DeGenring will assist Potlatch's senior management team in pursuing financial opportunities for enhancing shareholder value, Siegel said. He will also have primary administrative responsibility for key staff support in financial, legal affairs, public affairs and employee relations.

"Michael's broad experience will be extremely helpful as Potlatch moves into a more positive financial position in coming years," Siegel noted. "His strong financial background will be of great value in choosing the best disposition of anticipated increased cash flow for the benefit of our shareholders," he added.

DeGenring, who holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA in mathematics from Dartmouth, began his career at First National Bank of Boston in 1974. He joined ARCO in 1978, serving in financial and planning positions before being named vice president, finance and administration for ARCO Coal Co. in 1990.

In 1995, DeGenring became president and chief executive officer of ARCO Coal America, a division of ARCO Coal Co. He served briefly as interim president and chief executive officer of ARCO Coal Co. before being named as its chief financial officer in 1997.

Potlatch is a diversified forest products company with timberlands in Arkansas, Idaho and Minnesota.