John A. Luke, Jr. is chairman and chief executive officer of MeadWestvaco Corporation, a leading global producer of packaging, coated and specialty papers, consumer and office products and specialty chemicals. The company, with operations in 29 countries serving customers in more than 100 nations, was formed in January 2002 by the merger of The Mead and Westvaco Corporations. Mr. Luke previously had served as chairman, chief executive officer and president of Westvaco. He began his career with Westvaco in 1979, was elected treasurer in 1983 and vice president in 1986. Between 1987 and 1989, as a senior vice president, his responsibilities expanded to include corporate marketing, international sales and Rigesa, Ltda, the company's Brazilian subsidiary. In 1989, he joined the Board of Directors. In 1990, he was elected executive vice president; in 1992, president and chief executive officer; and in 1996, chairman. He was elected chairman of MeadWestvaco in November 2002. He is a director of FM Global, The Bank of New York Company, Inc., and the Timken Company. Mr. Luke received his B.A. from Lawrence University and an M.B.A. from The Wharton School, having served in Southeast Asia as an officer with the U.S. Air Force from 1971 through 1974. He is a member of the Board of Governors of the National Council for Air & Stream Improvement, Inc. and a trustee of the American Forest Foundation, the Institute of Paper Science and Technology and the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research. He also is vice chairman of the National Association of Manufacturers and a director of The Americas Society and the United Negro College Fund.