Newton Elected to the Sonoco Board of Directors


Hartsville, S.C. - Lloyd W. Newton, retired executive vice president, Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, and retired four-star General with the U.S. Air Force, has been elected to the Sonoco (NYSE: SON) Board of Directors, it was announced today by Harris E. DeLoach Jr., chairman, president and chief executive officer. The election increases Sonoco's board to 13 members.

A native of Ridgeland, S.C., Newton, 65, experienced a distinguished 34-year military career. After being commissioned a second lieutenant, Newton served in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969, and was with the U.S. Air Force Aerial Demonstration Squadron, The Thunderbirds, from 1974 to 1978. From 1978 to 1982, he was assigned as an Air Force congressional liaison officer to the U.S. House of Representatives, in Washington, D.C. Newton later commanded three wings, an air division and held numerous senior staff positions. He culminated his Air Force career as commander, Air Education and Training Command at Randolph Air Force Base in Texas, where he was responsible for the recruiting, training and education of Air Force personnel and his command consisted of 13 bases, 43,000 active duty personnel and 14,000 civilians.

After retiring from the Air Force in 2000, Newton joined Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., where he was responsible for all global customer requirements, support and services. In addition, he provided leadership for business development, aftermarket services and integrated logistics and fleet management for this $13 billion global military engine manufacturer and supplier. In April 2005, he was appointed by the President to serve on the Defense Base Realignment and Closure Commission. He retired from Pratt & Whitney in March 2006 and currently serves on the Goodrich Corporation (NYSE: GR) and Torchmark Corporation (NYSE: TMK) boards of directors.

"General Newton brings to Sonoco's board extensive high-level leadership experience during a distinguished military career as well as in customer and business development with a global manufacturing company," said DeLoach. "We are delighted to have someone with his stature and experience joining Sonoco's board."

Newton holds a Bachelor of Science degree in aviation education from Tennessee State University and a Master of Arts degree in public administration from George Washington University. Newton is married to the former Elouise Morning and they reside in Tampa, Fla.

About Sonoco
Founded in 1899, Sonoco is a $4.0 billion global manufacturer of industrial and consumer products and provider of packaging services, with approximately 335 operations in 35 countries, serving customers in some 85 nations. For more information on the Company, visit our Web site at http://sonoco.com/.

Please contact Roger Schrum, +1-843/339-6018,

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