Memphis-based Verso Paper reported a 15 percent drop in net sales for the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to the fourth quarter of 2015.

The earnings numbers reported Wednesday, March 15, include net sales of $646 million compared with $756 million a year ago.

2. Verso Reports Drop in Q4 Sales Ahead of Memphis Exit - Thursday, March 16, 2017

Memphis-based Verso Paper reported a 15 percent drop in net sales for the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to the fourth quarter of 2015.

The earnings numbers reported Wednesday, March 15, include net sales of $646 million compared with $756 million a year ago.

3. Verso Corp. Gets New Chief Executive Officer - Saturday, January 21, 2017

Memphis-based Verso Corp. has named B. Christopher DiSantis as its new chief executive officer effective Feb. 1.

DiSantis comes to the paper and pulp company from being CEO of H-D Advanced Manufacturing Co. for the last four years. H-D makes motion-control products in the aerospace and defense industries. Before that, he was CEO of Latrobe Specialty Metal, which supplied alloys for aerospace and defense manufacturing before it was bought by Carpenter Technology Corp.

4. Verso Corp. Gets New Chief Executive Officer - Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Memphis-based Verso Corp. has named B. Christopher DiSantis as its new chief executive officer effective Feb. 1.

5. Verso Names New CEO - Friday, January 13, 2017

Memphis-based Verso Corp. has named B. Christopher DiSantis as its new chief executive officer effective Feb. 1.

6. Verso Leaving Memphis For Miamisburg, Ohio - Saturday, November 19, 2016

Verso Corp. announced on Monday, Nov. 14, that it will be moving its Memphis headquarters to consolidate offices in Miamisburg, Ohio.

7. Verso Leaving Memphis For Miamisburg HQ - Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Verso Corp. announced on Monday, Nov. 14, that it will be moving its Memphis headquarters to consolidate offices in Miamisburg, Ohio.

8. Last Word: Timing The Recovery, The Problem With Car Lots and UT Bricks - Wednesday, November 2, 2016

The recovery from the worst national economic downturn since the Great Depression has been slow and long. Any optimism about the growth we are seeing, particularly in commercial real estate, is tempered by thoughts about when the recovery might take another inevitable dip – even if it’s not as bad as what we saw starting in 2008 and 2009.

9. Verso Laying Off 190 at Maine Mill - Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Memphis-based Verso Corp. is laying off 190 workers at its Androscoggin Mill in Jay, Maine, as it temporarily idles one of its paper machines there.

10. Verso Agrees to $10,000 Fine in Potomac River Latex Spill - Friday, April 29, 2016

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) – Memphis-based Verso Corp. will pay a $10,000 settlement for two chemical spills that tainted the Potomac River last fall, according to the Maryland Department of the Environment.

11. Verso Has Agreement With Creditors on Reorganization - Saturday, January 30, 2016

The day after Verso Corp. filed for bankruptcy reorganization in Delaware, the Memphis-based printing and specialty paper producer said it had reached an agreement with its creditors on the company’s reorganization.

12. Verso Has Agreement With Creditors on Reorganization - Thursday, January 28, 2016

The day after Verso Corp. filed for bankruptcy reorganization in Delaware, the Memphis-based printing and specialty paper producer said it had reached an agreement with its creditors on the company’s reorganization.

13. Last Word: A Turn Away From Mud Island, Capitol Hill Soap & Collierville Keeps FedEx - Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Sometimes you get another story when you are pursuing a different story.

In this case, the quest was a simple one. Get a good basic idea of what the five companies interested in redeveloping Mud Island River Park are telling the Riverfront Development Corp. of their still-forming plans.
While going through the submissions, we had a talk with RDC president Benny Lendermon about the process and the interview moved pretty effortlessly into the Pyramid’s relationship to Mud Island.
It’s a natural follow-up given the history of past efforts to link up the two landmarks on different sides of the city harbor and the decidedly mixed results of those attempts. I might have been charitable there in describing the results as mixed.
That context led to a discussion about how the Pyramid is faring eight months into Bass Pro Shops' long-term lease in the reconfigured Pyramid.
When Lendermon said, “This probably isn’t a politically correct thing to say,” the interview turned topics and we followed it.
The result is, I think, at least something to consider and probably pretty provocative.
Judge for yourself.

14. Verso Files For Bankruptcy Reorganization - Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Verso Corp. filed Tuesday, Jan. 26, for Chapter 11 federal bankruptcy reorganization.

David J. Paterson, the president and CEO of the North American producer of printing, specialty papers and pulp, described the decision to file for reorganization as “difficult.”

15. Verso Sells Subsidiary for $62 Million - Saturday, January 16, 2016

Memphis-based Verso Corp. has sold a subsidiary that owns hydroelectric power plants for $62 million to address its cash flow and liquidity problems.

16. Verso Sells Subsidiary for $62M - Monday, January 11, 2016

Memphis-based Verso Corp. has sold a subsidiary that owns hydroelectric power plants for $62 million to address its cash flow and liquidity problems.

17. Verso Paper Considers Bankruptcy Reorganization - Saturday, November 21, 2015

Memphis-based Verso Corp. is considering bankruptcy reorganization as one of several restructuring options, company executives announced Monday, Nov. 16.

18. Verso Paper Considers Bankruptcy Reorganization - Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Memphis-based Verso Corp. is considering bankruptcy reorganization as one of several restructuring options, company executives announced Monday, Nov. 16.

19. Verso Considers Bankruptcy Reorganization - Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Memphis-based Verso Corp. is considering bankruptcy reorganization as one of several restructuring options, company executives announced Monday, Nov. 16.

20. Verso to Lay Off 600 in Maine, Kentucky - Thursday, August 20, 2015

Verso Corp. is permanently eliminating 300 jobs in Maine and laying off another 300 in Kentucky as it reduces production of coated paper and dried market pulp.

21. Snapshot: Memphis-Based Public Companies - Saturday, May 30, 2015

Here's a look at what's going on at the dozen public companies headquartered in Memphis:

AutoZone Inc.

AutoZone Inc. is one of the largest auto parts retailers and distributors in the U.S., with a store count of 5,476 as of Feb. 14. Since 1998, the company has repurchased $15.7 billion worth of its own shares. At the end of March, AutoZone continued its share buyback program with the authorization to buy back another $750 million in company stock. The company followed that news with plans to pursue a $650 million debt offering to be used for “general corporate purposes.” – Andy Meek

22. Final Mothballing Underway at Verso Mill in Maine - Monday, January 5, 2015

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) – A handful of employees at the shuttered Bucksport paper mill will likely remain as caretakers until a metal recycling company takes over the property, the owners said.

23. Justice Department: Verso can Acquire NewPage - Saturday, January 3, 2015

The U.S. Justice Department and Memphis-based Verso Paper Corp. have reached a settlement that will allow Verso to move ahead with its acquisition of NewPage Holdings Inc.

24. Justice Department: Verso Can Acquire NewPage - Wednesday, December 31, 2014

The U.S. Justice Department and Memphis-based Verso Paper Corp. have reached a settlement that will allow Verso to move ahead with its acquisition of NewPage Holdings Inc.

25. Verso to Close Maine Paper Mill - Monday, October 6, 2014

Memphis-based Verso Paper Corp. has announced it will close its paper mill in Bucksport, Maine. Last week’s announcement came months after Verso reported a net loss of $34.3 million for the second quarter.

26. CBRE Picked to Manage Lenox Park Buildings - Saturday, August 16, 2014

CB Richard Ellis Memphis has been selected by Highbrook Investment Management to manage four buildings in the Lenox Park office complex, located at Tenn. 385 near Kirby Road.

The four 100,000-square-foot buildings are part of the seven that comprise the largest collection of Class A office space in Memphis. CBRE Memphis began management of buildings C, D, E and F on May 1. Since Highbrook purchased the four buildings in 2012, more than 50,000 square feet has been leased to companies including C.H. Robinson, W.M. Barr, Verso Paper and Metro PCS.

27. Developer Tries Again for Highland McDonald’s - Friday, August 15, 2014

The developer behind a proposed McDonald’s on Highland Avenue near the University of Memphis is making another attempt at the project.

According to the most current site plan, the 5,353-square-foot restaurant building is situated along the sidewalk on Highland and a looping drive-thru proposed earlier has been replaced with one that runs along the eastern side of the building.

28. CBRE Picked to Manage Lenox Park Buildings - Wednesday, August 13, 2014

CB Richard Ellis Memphis has been selected by Highbrook Investment Management to manage four buildings in the Lenox Park office complex, located at Tenn. 385 near Kirby Road.

The four 100,000-square-foot buildings are part of the seven that comprise the largest collection of Class A office space in Memphis. CBRE Memphis began management of buildings C, D, E and F on May 1. Since Highbrook purchased the four buildings in 2012, more than 50,000 square feet has been leased to companies including C.H. Robinson, W.M. Barr, Verso Paper and Metro PCS.

29. Change on Tap for Many Local Public Companies - Saturday, May 31, 2014

Here’s a snapshot of recent news and developments at some of the publicly traded companies based in Memphis, reflecting the influence these companies have and the shadows they cast both in Memphis and beyond, in industries that range from bioscience to banking.

30. Verso Paper Acquires NewPage in $1.4B Deal - Saturday, January 11, 2014

Coated papers maker Verso Paper is buying NewPage Holdings Inc. in a deal valued at $1.4 billion including debt.

31. Verso Paper Buying NewPage in $1.4 Billion Deal - Monday, January 6, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) – Coated papers maker Verso Paper is buying NewPage Holdings Inc. in a deal valued at $1.4 billion including debt.

32. Verso Paper Remains Listed by NYSE - Saturday, December 28, 2013

The New York Stock Exchange has withdrawn its June 28 determination to delist Memphis-based Verso Paper Corp.’s common stock.

33. Verso Paper Avoids NYSE Delisting - Tuesday, December 24, 2013

The New York Stock Exchange has withdrawn its June 28 determination to delist Memphis-based Verso Paper Corp.’s common stock.

34. Performance Ranges Widely at Local Companies - Saturday, October 26, 2013

Here’s a snapshot of the recent performance of some of Memphis’ publicly traded companies – businesses that cast a shadow far beyond the Memphis city limits in industries including finance, package delivery and bioscience.

35. NYSE Warns Verso of Possible Stock Delisting - Thursday, August 22, 2013

Verso Paper Corp. said Tuesday, Aug. 20, it has been warned by the New York Stock Exchange that its stock could be delisted.

36. Verso Paper Posts Second-Quarter Loss - Saturday, August 10, 2013

Memphis-based Verso Paper Corp. reported its net sales for the quarter ended June 30 dropped $34.9 million compared to a year ago. And the company posted a $39.2 million net loss before special items.

37. Verso Paper Posts Second-Quarter Loss - Friday, August 9, 2013

Memphis-based Verso Paper Corp. reported its net sales for the quarter ended June 30 dropped $34.9 million compared to a year ago. And the company posted a $39.2 million net loss before special items.

38. Verso Paper Sees Third-Quarter Loss - Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Memphis-based Verso Paper Corp. took a net loss of $104.7 million in the third quarter compared to a year ago with the closure of its mill in Sartell, Minn.

39. Verso Paper Calls Off Merger Talks - Thursday, September 6, 2012

Memphis-based Verso Paper Corp. has called off talks with NewPage Corp. and its creditors about acquiring or merging with NewPage.

40. Verso Says Minnesota Mill Down for Months - Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Memphis-based Verso Paper Corp. will be working in the coming months with alternate suppliers to make up for the loss of 5,000 tons of finished paper as well as other inventory destroyed in a May 28 fire at its mill in Sartell, Minn.

41. Fatal Fire Hits Verso’s Minn. Mill - Wednesday, May 30, 2012

SARTELL, Minn. (AP) – The future of a paper mill that's one of the main employers and taxpayers in the central Minnesota town of Sartell was unclear Tuesday as firefighters spent a second day trying to extinguish a fire that killed one worker and injured four.

42. Verso Paper Posts Q1 Operating Loss - Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Memphis-based Verso Paper Corp. posted a $12.3 million operating loss for the first three months of 2012 compared to the same quarter a year ago.

43. Verso Paper CEO to Retire in Mid-May - Monday, April 23, 2012

Coated paper maker Verso Paper Corp. said Friday that its CEO Michael Jackson will retire in mid-May and be replaced by the former CEO of newsprint maker AbitibiBowater Inc.

44. Many Questions Raised Before Going Public - Monday, April 16, 2012

As Facebook prepares for its multibillion-dollar initial public offering (IPO) next month, it sheds light on how companies – including local ones – decide whether to go public or not.

Memphis-based pharmaceutical company GTx Inc. went public in 2004 and local paper producer Verso Paper Corp. held its IPO in 2008, but the overall number of publicly traded companies both locally and nationally has dropped over the past two decades.

45. Performance Of Memphis Public Cos. Varies Widely - Monday, April 16, 2012

Memphis is home to several publicly traded companies that have made an indelible mark on industries ranging from transportation to finance and manufacturing.

Here’s a snapshot of how those companies are faring at the moment. (For a detailed look at AutoZone, see related story, "The Fast Lane.")

46. Verso Posts Loss for Year but Net Sales Growth - Thursday, March 8, 2012

Verso Paper Corp. posted a net loss of $54.3 million for 2011, compared to a net loss of $126.4 million for calendar year 2010, according to year-end and fourth-quarter 2011 statements released Wednesday, March 7.

47. Verso to Lay Off 300 in Maine, Minn. - Wednesday, October 12, 2011

MEMPHIS (AP) – Verso Paper Corp. said Tuesday that it will lay off 300 employees and permanently shut down three paper machines at mills in Maine and Minnesota, citing soft demand for coated groundwood papers and rising materials costs.

48. Verso CEO Named Executive of the Year - Friday, March 18, 2011

Mike Jackson, president and chief executive officer of Verso Paper Corp., was named the 2011 Executive of the Year by Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry and Paper Industry Management Association.

49. Trial Set For June In Verso Money Laundering - Wednesday, May 19, 2010

The trial of a woman accused of laundering some of the $10 million her husband allegedly embezzled from a Tennessee company has been rescheduled for June 28 in federal court in Oxford.

Federal court records say Danielle J. Williams withdrew more than $300,000 from accounts where her husband allegedly put the stolen money.

50. Verso Recognized As Innovator of the Year - Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Verso Paper Corp. has been honored as the 2009 Southeast Regional Green Business Innovator of the Year in a ceremony at the Green Business Summit hosted by Lipscomb University.

51. Verso Paper Launches New Printing Papers - Thursday, July 30, 2009

Verso Paper Corp. has launched a new line of lightweight, uncoated Web printing papers: Versobook, Versotext and Versoblend.

52. Paper Companies Get Unexpected Tax-Credit Windfall - Thursday, April 23, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) - A law to make the earth a little greener is giving paper mills an unintended multibillion-dollar tax windfall with the help of a little diesel fuel.

The bonanza, however, could be short-lived.

53. Verso Paper Reports $18.5M Net Income - Monday, November 10, 2008

Verso Paper Corp. has reported a net income of $18.5 million for the third quarter of 2008, compared to a net loss of $25.8 million the previous year.

54. U of M’s Bingham Elected To Board Of American Psychological Association - Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Dr. Rosie Phillips Bingham, vice president for student affairs and a professor in counseling, education psychology and research at the University of Memphis, has been elected to the board of directors of the American Psychological Association.

55. Sams Named Director At Verso Paper Corp. - Friday, August 22, 2008

David Sams has been named director of environment, health and safety for Verso Paper Corp.

He will report to Lyle Fellows, senior vice president for manufacturing, and Peter

Kesser, vice president, general counsel and secretary.

56. Verso Paper Gives $100K To Forest Conservation - Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Memphis-based Verso Paper Corp. will give a $100,000 grant over two years to the Trust to Conserve Northeast Forestlands to expand participation in its Forest Stewardship Council, a forest certification program.

57. Verso Paper Cuts Number, Price of Shares in IPO - Friday, May 16, 2008

NEW YORK (AP) - Coated paper company Verso Paper Corp. on Wednesday pruned the number and expected price of shares to be offered in its pending initial public offering.

The Memphis-based company now plans to offer 14 million shares at $12 per share. Previously, the IPO was expected to total nearly 18.8 million shares and price between $16 and $18 apiece.

58. Verso Paper Takes Advantage Of Rising Prices With IPO - Tuesday, May 13, 2008

NEW YORK (AP) – Memphis-based coated paper company Verso Paper Corp. is hoping the good old-fashioned principle of supply and demand will drive interest in its initial public offering this week.

59. Braverman Joins The West Clinic - Wednesday, December 6, 2006

Dr. Aliza Braverman has joined The West Clinic as a rheumatology specialist. She is the first rheumatologist to join the team.

Mike Jackson has been named president and CEO of Memphis-based Verso Paper Holdings LLC. He succeeds LH Puckett, who is retiring but will remain a member of the board of directors. Jackson previously served as a senior vice president at Weyerhaeuser Co. in Federal Way, Wash. He was with the company for 29 years.