Claudine Schneider Accepts Appointment to Mohawk Board of Directors

COHOES, N.Y., Dec. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Mohawk Fine Papers Inc., a leading manufacturer of premium printing, writing and imaging papers, and advocate of sustainable manufacturing, has announced the appointment of the Honorable Claudine Schneider, President of the Solar Alliance, to its Board of Directors.

"Claudine's experience in public policy and in the area of renewable energy development will enhance our strategic planning, product development, and corporate sustainability initiatives," said Thomas D. O'Connor, Jr. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Her appointment brings Mohawk's commitment to sustainability and social responsibility into the boardroom and provides an impressive mix of skills, expertise, and hands-on experience to our board and to our management team," said O'Connor.

Ms. Schneider served in the U.S. Congress from 1980 through 1990. She was the first woman ever elected to a major political office in Rhode Island, where she served on the Science, Research and Technology Committee. During her period in office, she authored the first Global Warming Prevention Act, a comprehensive, revenue-neutral bill that established a least-cost energy planning process throughout the federal government that would reduce greenhouse gases while reducing costs to taxpayers. Since then, she has worked as an independent consultant specializing in strategic planning, futures-scenario design, policy development and implementation, organizational development, lobbying, marketing and communications.

Ms. Schneider has also previously served as the Corporate Social Responsibility Advisor to the Board of National Grid, one of the world's largest utilities. Today she serves on the Board of Wilder Hills New Energy Global Innovation Index, the Board of Trustees of the American Solar Energy Society, the Board of The Climate Institute, the Center for Resource Solutions, Project Vote Smart, TERI, Green Advantage, and the Ethical Market Place.

In addition to her board appointments, Ms. Schneider is the President of the Solar Alliance, a coalition of all of the world's largest solar manufacturers, installers and integrators. Their focus is working with governors, state legislators, regulators and utilities to open solar markets in the states. She also has a contract with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to assist corporations in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. To date she has enlisted the participation of over 40 Fortune 500 companies including CitiGroup, United Technologies, and Volvo Trucks.

"I'm honored to work with one of the most progressive, committed corporations in this country. They will continue to set the pace for the most sustainable, socially responsible paper company, because their values drive their products, said Ms. Schneider.

For more information, visit www.mohawkpaper.com or call 1-800 the mill.

About Mohawk

Recognized for its technical innovation and progressive environmental initiatives, Mohawk Fine Papers Inc. manufactures an impressive range of premium printing, writing and digital papers. Signature grades include Strathmore(R), Mohawk Superfine(TM), Beckett Concept(R), Beckett Expression(R), BriteHue(R), Via(R), Mohawk Color Copy(R), Mohawk Digital Papers and patented Inxwell(R) products, Navajo(R) and Options(R). Mohawk engineers its papers to provide optimal performance for sheetfed, web and digital printing. Mohawk papers are used in a wide variety of communications including corporate reports, corporate identity systems, high-end brochures, packaging and everyday communications for business of all sizes and types. Mohawk digital papers are also used in on-demand photo books, personalized direct mail and custom packaging. A leader in environmental stewardship, Mohawk is the first U.S. paper mill to offset 100% of its electricity with renewable windpower and the first U.S. premium paper mill to shift toward carbon neutral production. Also offered are recycled papers certified by GreenSeal and papers certified to the Forest Stewardship Council's [FSC] standards by SmartWood, a program of the Rainforest Alliance.

FSC certification ensures responsible use of forest resources.

Forest Stewardship Council A.C. SW-COC-668