Professional Role and Responsibilities
Chris Sexton currently serves as Director & General Manager (GM) - Boxboard & Converted, North America East at Greif, a leading global supplier of industrial packaging products and services. He assumed this role as of November 2024. His leadership focus is within the boxboard and converted paperboard segment, overseeing operations, manufacturing, and business strategy execution across the North America East region. This position places him in a key role managing both the production and commercial activities related to Greif's boxboard product lines.
Company Context and Strategic Developments
Greif operates more than 250 facilities in 37 countries with a workforce exceeding 14,000 employees. The company is recognized for its innovation in sustainable industrial packaging, recently introducing EnviroRap, a 100% recycled, recyclable, barrier-coated paperboard targeting the food industry. The firm has proactively aligned with sustainability initiatives, earning an "A-" rating for climate change by CDP as of December 2022.
In mid-2025, Greif entered a definitive agreement to divest its containerboard business for $1.8 billion to Packaging Corporation of America (PCA). The containerboard segment, which generated approximately $1.2 billion in sales and $212 million in operating profit, is outside Chris Sexton’s current scope of responsibility, as his role focuses on the boxboard and converted paperboard operations. This divestiture reflects Greif’s strategic pivot to strengthen its position as a packaging innovation leader, with Sexton's business unit likely impacted positively by the refocus on boxboard and specialty packaging.
Professional Network and Location
Chris Sexton's LinkedIn profile lists his location as Kernersville, North Carolina, aligning with Greif’s North America East operational footprint. He maintains an extensive professional network with over 340 LinkedIn connections, indicative of strong industry engagement and potential access to broad market insights and partnerships relevant to packaging and recycling sectors.
Educational Background and Experience
While specific details on Chris Sexton's educational qualifications are not explicitly detailed, prior listings note attendance at Johnson University, suggesting a formal education background supportive of his executive management role.
Additionally, before his current position, Sexton held a leadership role as Director of Manufacturing Operations, signaling strong operational expertise and experience managing manufacturing functions critical to Greif’s packaging businesses.
Relevant Industry and Market Dynamics
The recycling sector within which Greif operates diverts over 4 million tons annually of materials from waste streams, pointing to strong operational scale and sustainability compliance. Sexton's role at the intersection of boxboard production and converted packaging aligns with market trends favoring recycled and recyclable packaging solutions, including food-grade paperboard products.
Greif’s recent closure of its Los Angeles paperboard mill (May 2025) and receipt of a Stevie® Award in 2025 American Business Awards® further signal the company’s active operational optimization and market recognition, factors that likely elevate the importance and visibility of Sexton's role in the company.
This profile highlights Chris Sexton as a senior manufacturing and business leader within Greif, positioned centrally amid the company’s strategic transformation toward specialized packaging solutions and sustainability leadership. His operational scope and regional influence within North America East make him a key stakeholder in Greif’s product innovation and market growth initiatives related to boxboard and converted paperboard.
