APPLETON, Wis. – The board of directors of the Paper Industry International Hall of Fame, Inc. (PIIHF) has announced that David J. Paterson, president and chief executive officer of Verso Corp., will be the keynote speaker at the 21st annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Oct. 15.

The event will be held at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel in Appleton.

With more than 30 years in the forest products industry, Paterson has served in a number of leadership roles. Immediately prior to being named president and CEO of Verso in May 2012, he served as president and CEO of Montreal-based Abitibi Bowater Inc. (now doing business as Resolute Forest Products).

Previous roles include chairman, president and CEO of Bowater Inc., and executive vice president of Georgia-Pacific Corporation.

Verso Corporation is a leading North American produ cer of printing papers, specialty papers and pulp.

Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn. Verso operates eight mills strategically located in Kentu cky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. A Verso mill is located in Quinnesec.

The Paper Industry International Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who pioneered and/or helped the world’s paper and allied industries flourish.