Sonoco Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Sonoco has 6 executives leading key functions including strategy, information technology, financial oversight, accounting, consumer packaging, and industrial paper packaging.

Focused on delivering sustainable packaging solutions, Sonoco advances global manufacturing standards through innovative rigid paper, steel, and plastic container designs that serve diverse markets across North America, Europe, and Asia.

Leadership Roles at Sonoco

  • President & Chief Executive Officer - Howard Coker
  • Vice President and Deputy Chief Financial Officer - Chris Reuther
  • Chief Financial Officer & Interim Principal Accounting Officer - Paul Joachimczyk
  • President, Sonoco Consumer Packaging, The (Americas) - Ernest Haynes
  • President of Global Industrial Paper Packaging - James Harrell
  • Chief Information Officer - Rajeev Ankireddypalli
  • Howard Coker - President & Chief Executive Officer

    Howard Coker, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Sonoco, directs the overarching corporate strategy and global operational footprint. Overseeing the integration of Consumer Packaging and Industrial Paper Packaging segments, the President & Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment with long-term sustainability goals. This leadership role involves managing complex manufacturing networks across North and South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. By prioritizing high-barrier flexible packaging and recycled paperboard innovation, Howard Coker drives market expansion in the food, construction, and film sectors. The President & Chief Executive Officer maintains rigorous standards for operational efficiency while fostering growth through strategic acquisitions. Through constant evaluation of market trends, Coker secures the competitive position of the organization within the global packaging landscape, ensuring that all business units contribute to the broader mission of delivering high-quality, engineered packaging solutions to international clients.
    Howard Coker

    Chris Reuther - Vice President and Deputy Chief Financial Officer

    Chris Reuther, the Vice President and Deputy Chief Financial Officer at Sonoco, manages financial planning and capital allocation strategies. Overseeing fiscal health across the Consumer Packaging and Industrial Paper Packaging segments, the Vice President and Deputy Chief Financial Officer ensures accurate reporting and resource optimization. This leadership role involves analyzing market performance in North and South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia to support sustainable growth initiatives. By monitoring cost structures for rigid paper, steel, and plastic container production, Chris Reuther drives profitability and operational efficiency. The Vice President and Deputy Chief Financial Officer works closely with the finance team to maintain transparency and regulatory compliance. Through rigorous financial modeling, Reuther supports the strategic objectives of the organization, ensuring that capital investments align with the long-term mission of providing high-barrier flexible packaging and recycled paperboard products to diverse global markets including wire, cable, and construction.

    Paul Joachimczyk - Chief Financial Officer & Interim Principal Accounting Officer

    Paul Joachimczyk, the Chief Financial Officer & Interim Principal Accounting Officer at Sonoco, oversees the global financial reporting and accounting functions. Managing the fiscal integrity of the Consumer Packaging and Industrial Paper Packaging segments, the Chief Financial Officer & Interim Principal Accounting Officer ensures precise financial oversight across all international operations. This leadership role involves directing capital structure strategies and maintaining robust internal controls for manufacturing facilities in North and South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. By analyzing revenue streams from rigid paper, steel, and plastic containers, Paul Joachimczyk supports the strategic expansion of the company. The Chief Financial Officer & Interim Principal Accounting Officer coordinates with the Board to communicate financial performance and long-term value creation. Through disciplined accounting practices, Joachimczyk ensures the stability of the organization, enabling continued investment in sustainable packaging materials and innovative protective solutions for the global film, food, and construction markets.
    Paul Joachimczyk

    Ernest Haynes - President, Sonoco Consumer Packaging, The (Americas)

    Ernest Haynes, the President, Sonoco Consumer Packaging, The (Americas) at Sonoco, directs the manufacturing and sales strategy for rigid paper, steel, and plastic containers within the Western Hemisphere. Overseeing the production of thermoformed plastic trays and high-barrier flexible packaging, the President, Sonoco Consumer Packaging, The (Americas) ensures operational excellence across regional facilities. This leadership role involves driving market penetration in the food and film sectors through innovative closure and component designs. By optimizing supply chain logistics, Ernest Haynes enhances the delivery of sustainable packaging solutions to clients throughout North and South America. The President, Sonoco Consumer Packaging, The (Americas) collaborates with cross-functional teams to align product development with regional consumer demands. Through focused execution, Haynes strengthens the market position of the organization, ensuring that the Consumer Packaging segment remains a leader in providing high-quality, protective, and sustainable packaging materials to diverse industrial and commercial customers.
    Ernest Haynes

    James Harrell - President of Global Industrial Paper Packaging

    James Harrell, the President of Global Industrial Paper Packaging at Sonoco, directs the development and manufacturing of paperboard tubes, cones, and cores. Overseeing the production of protective packaging and uncoated recycled paperboard, the President of Global Industrial Paper Packaging ensures consistent quality across international manufacturing sites. This leadership role involves expanding the reach of industrial solutions into the wire, cable, and construction markets across North and South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. By prioritizing sustainable material sourcing and efficient manufacturing processes, James Harrell drives growth within the Industrial Paper Packaging segment. The President of Global Industrial Paper Packaging coordinates with global sales teams to meet the specific requirements of industrial clients. Through strategic focus on product durability and environmental impact, Harrell strengthens the reputation of the organization as a premier provider of engineered paper-based solutions, ensuring that the industrial division supports the overall mission of global sustainability.
    James Harrell

    Rajeev Ankireddypalli - Chief Information Officer

    Rajeev Ankireddypalli, the Chief Information Officer at Sonoco, architects the digital infrastructure supporting global manufacturing and supply chain operations. Overseeing enterprise-wide data systems, the Chief Information Officer ensures seamless connectivity between the Consumer Packaging and Industrial Paper Packaging divisions. This leadership role involves implementing advanced analytics to optimize production efficiency for rigid paper, steel, and plastic containers. By modernizing technology stacks, Rajeev Ankireddypalli enables real-time visibility into international market demands across North America, Europe, and Asia. The Chief Information Officer collaborates with executive leadership to secure digital assets and streamline internal processes. Through the deployment of scalable software solutions, Ankireddypalli supports the company's commitment to sustainable packaging innovation. This focus on digital transformation directly enhances the ability of the organization to respond to evolving requirements in the film, food, and construction industries while maintaining robust cybersecurity protocols across all global operational regions.
    Rajeev Ankireddypalli

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Sonoco Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Sonoco?
    Sonoco is led by Howard Coker (President & Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Chris Reuther (Vice President and Deputy Chief Financial Officer) and Paul Joachimczyk (Chief Financial Officer & Interim Principal Accounting Officer).
    Who is part of Sonoco’s executive team?
    The executive team of Sonoco includes leaders such as Howard Coker (President & Chief Executive Officer), Chris Reuther (Vice President and Deputy Chief Financial Officer), Paul Joachimczyk (Chief Financial Officer & Interim Principal Accounting Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Sonoco have?
    Sonoco has 6 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Sonoco’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Sonoco includes roles such as President & Chief Executive Officer, Vice President and Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Chief Financial Officer & Interim Principal Accounting Officer, President, Sonoco Consumer Packaging, The (Americas), President of Global Industrial Paper Packaging.