Louisiana-Pacific Picks New Chairman

Louisiana-Pacific Corp. said Tuesday it named Mark Suwyn chairman and chief executive, filling vacancies left by Harry Merlo’s resignation in late July.

Suwyn, 53, comes from rival International Paper Co., where he was executive vice president. He will immediately replace Donald Kayser, who has held the positions on an interim basis since Merlo’s resignation, a company spokesman said.

Merlo’s resignation came just six weeks after the forest products company was indicted for allegedly violating the federal Clean Air Act. The company also was embroiled in controversy over faulty siding that led to a class action lawsuit.

“This year has not been easy for L-P, and there are still a number of bridges to cross on the litigation front before the company can resolve the problems of the past,” Suwyn said in a letter to employees released by the company.