Rock-Tenn CEO extols importance of transportation improvements

Reaffirming his commitment to staying in Gwinnett County months after announcing a $16 billion merger with a Virginia company, Rock-Tenn CEO Steven Voorhees told a group of local business leaders Thursday that while metro Atlanta is key to his company’s business, transportation remains a huge concern in the region.

“It’s important, and I think it’s really important for Gwinnett,” Voorhees said. “Gwinnett has relatively less mass transit. It would be great to get commuter rail. I think it would help the development.”

Voorhees, whose company is based in Norcross, spoke about a transportation bill that is being considered by the legislature. Metro Atlanta has "some of the worst traffic congestion in the country," Voorhees said, and this legislation, or a similar bill that is being considered by the Senate, would help raise money to address "one of the most critical issues to the Atlanta area."

“Right now, we have the opportunity to have some first, small steps,” Voorhees said.

Rock-Tenn, which is combining its business with Richmond, Va.-based MeadWestvaco, employs 2,000 people in Gwinnett County. With the merger, the company will be able to provide more jobs and have an even larger impact on the local economy, Voorhees said.

MeadWestvaco operates in 30 countries and its business will give Rock-Tenn more access to growth markets, he said. The companies make boxes and other cardboard products.

The merger will mean Rock-Tenn’s corporate address will change, but Voorhees said the operating headquarters will stay in Georgia.