Pacific Lumber Names Vice Chairman, New President

Pacific Lumber has promoted two executive vice presidents, one to vice chairman and the other to president. The new president has been in charge of the company’s controversial accelerated harvesting of centuries-old redwoods in Northern California.

Thomas B. Malarkey, head of forest marketing and administration, was named vice chairman, while John A. Campbell, in charge of forest product operations, was tapped as president. The position of vice chairman is new, while Campbell replaces William C. Leone as president. Leone remains chairman and chief executive of Pacific Lumber, said Byron L. Wade, a spokesman for Los Angeles-based Maxxam Inc., which acquired Pacific Lumber in February, 1986.

Meanwhile, MCO Properties, Maxxam’s real estate management and development arm, announced the promotion of Senior Vice President John E. Sommerhalder to president. He replaces Leone, who continues as chairman.

The promotions of Campbell, Malarkey and Sommerhalder represent an effort by Leone, Maxxam’s president, to delegate more authority, Wade said.

Maxxam borrowed most of Pacific Lumber’s $832-million price, and soon after the deal Pacific Lumber doubled its rate of logging, in part by clear cutting stands of “old growth” redwoods. Last May, after protests by environmentalists and legislators, the timber firm announced that it would abandon clear cutting in virgin forests and harvest only selected trees. But overall production levels have been maintained, a Pacific Lumber spokesman said.

Campbell was on vacation and unavailable for comment.