Suzano Board Approves João Alberto Fernandez de Abreu to Succeed Walter Schalka

Feb 29, 2024 - Suzano announced that its Board of Directors have approved a CEO transition process, whereby João Alberto Fernandez de Abreu will succeed Walter Schalka as the company's CEO, effective July 1, 2024.

Schalka has served as Suzano's CEO since January 2013.

According to Suzano, Schalka and Abreu will jointly and orderly lead the succession process, starting on April 2, ensuring a smooth transition leading up to Schalka's final day as CEO, July 1.

Suzano said that Schalka will be nominated (elected or reelected) to serve on the Board and as member of various advisory committees.

Abreu has a 30-year career, including 18 years at Shell where he held various positions in Brazil, England, and Argentina, 7 years at Raízen as Energy Director and Vice President of the Ethanol, Sugar, and Energy Business, and 5 years as CEO of Rumo S.A., a railway logistics company.

Abreu is an engineer graduated from Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, holds an MBA from Fundação Dom Cabral, and has attended executive courses at universities such as IMD and Wharton.

Currently, Abreu is a member of the Board of ANTF (National Association of Railway Transporters), President of the Moveinfra Board, Director of Deifra of FIESP, and serves as a Counselor of Raízen Foundation and the Pact Against Hunger.

Suzano also expressed its deepest gratitude to Schalka.

"The members of the Board of Directors acknowledge and express deep admiration and gratitude for the invaluable services provided by Mr. Schalka to the company during his tenure as CEO, which elevated Suzano to the position of global leader in its sector. Mr. Schalka's visionary and strategic leadership, unique expertise, and tireless dedication were fundamental pillars for the company's exponential and transformational growth over the past years, the achievement of ambitious goals, and the consolidation of a solid reputation in the market.

"With mastery, he knew how to leverage the company's operational efficiency, enable the expansion of its addressable market, carry out the successful merger with the former Fibria, lead one of the largest private investments underway in Brazil with Cerrado Project, among many other decisive contributions to the company."

Suzano's Board "emphasizes the implementation of a culture of inspiring and transforming people, a focus on the company's social and environmental responsibility, and the creation and generation of value for all stakeholders, aspects that strengthened the company's identity and positioned it as a reference in corporate governance, sustainability, and value creation.

"The company's management wishes Mr. Schalka full success in his future projects and reiterates the certainty that, in his new professional endeavor, he will continue to offer valuable contributions to the company as a member of the Committees and, even more so, if elected to the position of member of the Board of Directors."

Suzano is the world's largest producer of hardwood pulp and a global leader in the innovation and production of renewable, bio-based materials for consumer and industrial use.

SOURCE: Suzano