Kristopher Matula will resign from this position as president and COO of Buckeye Technologies in August, according to the Memphis, TN-based airlaid producer. He has worked at the company for 18 years and was a key part of the leadership team that moved the company from its initial IPO in 1995 to its current level of performance, says John Crowe, chairman and CEO.

Matula is leaving the company to pursue other unnamed interests. “It has been an honor to be part of the Buckeye team for the past 18 years. With our business well positioned for the future and a strong leadership team in place, the timing is right for me to retire from Buckeye and focus on other personal interests,” he says.

In others news, Buckeye is restructuring its executive management team in support of its previously announced decisions to close or sell several underperforming or non-core assets and in conjunction with Matula’s departure.

Steven Dean, senior vice president and CFO has been promoted to executive vice president, CFO; Douglas Dowdell, senior vice president, specialty fibers has been promoted to executive vice president, specialty fibers. Terrence Reed, vice president, Human Resources has been promoted to senior vice president, Human Resources.

In June, Buckeye announced the sale of its cotton linter pulp production line in Brazil.