Sonoco announced that Robert R. Hill, Jr., has been elected Lead Independent Director of its Board of Directors. Hill succeeds James M. Micali who is retiring after 19 years of service to the Company's Board. Micali, 74, joined Sonoco's Board of Directors in 2003.

He retired as President and Chairman of Michelin North America in 2008 after 32 years with Michelin. He continues to serve on several public and private company boards, including American Tire Distributors, Huntersville, NC, and Monolith Corporation, Lincoln, NE. Hill, 56, is Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of SouthState Corporation.

SouthState Bank, N.A., the company's nationally chartered bank subsidiary, provides consumer, commercial, mortgage, and wealth management solutions to more than one million customers throughout Florida, Alabama, Georgia, the Carolinas and Virginia. Having worked over 27 years with SouthState, Hill has served in various positions with the company, including most recently as Chief Executive Officer since 2004. Hill joined Sonoco's board in 2019, and in addition to serving as Lead Independent Director, he will chair the Company's Governance Committee and will continue to serve on the Board's Financial Policy and Executive Compensation committees.

A graduate of The Citadel, Hill earned a degree in Business Administration and subsequently earned an MBA from the University of South Carolina Moore School of Business. An active member of the community, Hill has held leadership positions as a board member in numerous organizations. He currently serves on the board of directors of the University of South Carolina Development Foundation, where he is vice-chairman.

He recently served on the board of directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, where he was audit chair. Prior to that, he served on the Charlotte branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond board of directors. Additionally, Hill is a past Chairman of the Board of the South Carolina Banker's Association.