John A. Luke, Jr. is non-executive chairman of WestRock Company. Formerly He was chairman and chief executive officer of MWV (MeadWestvaco), a global packaging company in Richmond, Virginia. His career with the company spanned more than 30 years and a variety of leadership roles; He was chairman of Westvaco prior to a merger with Mead in 2002.

He helped lead MWV through a transformation from a traditional paper and forest products supplier to an innovative packaging partner for global consumer products companies. MWV provided packaging solutions to the many of the world’s most admired brands in a wide range of markets and industries – with employees and operations around the globe.

He successfully aligned commercial focus on key growth markets, expanded business in fast-growing emerging markets, added new products to the portfolio of packaging and other solutions, and further strengthened the company’s longstanding presence in Brazil. Mr. Luk’s steady leadership helped ensure that MWV emerged from the economic downturn with one of the strongest financial positions in the industry.

He is a respected voice in the packaging industry, having served as chairman of the American Forest & Paper Association, the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, and the National Association of Manufacturers. He is a relentless advocate for public policies that promote economic growth, and he speaks passionately about the need to strengthen the competitiveness of America’s manufacturing economy and to encourage a robust role for corporations in society.

He is currently a director of The Bank of New York Mellon, The Timken Company, FM Global and Dominion Midstream. He also serves as a trustee of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts; Rector, Virginia Commonwealth University; The Community Foundation of Greater Richmond; Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and the American Enterprise Institute.

He began his career with the Procter & Gamble Company, following service as an officer in the U.S. Air Force. He graduated from Lawrence University and earned an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Other Details