Harris E. DeLoach, Jr. Named 17th Townes Award Recipient by South Carolina's Governor's School for Science and Math

Columbia, S.C., March 12, 2009 - Harris E. DeLoach Jr., Sonoco chairman, president and chief executive officer, was honored Wednesday at the 20th Anniversary Celebration and 17th Annual Townes Award Dinner for the S.C. Governor's School for Science and Mathematics (GSSM) and named this year's recipient of the prestigious Dr. Charles H. Townes Award. Sonoco is a $4.1 billion global packaging manufacturer headquartered in Hartsville, S.C.

"I am proud and honored to be selected as this year's recipient of the Townes Award," DeLoach said. "Sonoco's partnership with the Governor's School over the past 20 years has been a very rewarding experience for me. I am proud and fortunate to have been along for the ride and look forward to continuing our journey over the next 20 years."

A long-time Hartsville resident, DeLoach has served on a number of boards statewide, including his tenure as chairman of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce. As the Townes Award Recipient, board members said he joins an exclusive club of South Carolina innovators with a commitment to our state's future.

"Harris cares about education as much as anyone in this state," said Howard Daniel, president of the GSSM Foundation Board of Directors. "I can think of no one more dedicated to empowering the minds of our young people and inspiring successful innovation in the next generation."

"This is a tremendous honor and no one deserves it more. When you have past honorees such as the late Gov. Carroll Campbell, Charlie Coker, Roger Milliken, Bobby Harrell and others, there is no doubt that Harris belongs in that group."

Celebrated annually, the Townes Award is given in honor of Dr. Charles H. Townes, South Carolina native and Nobel Laureate in physics. Townes received the Nobel Prize in 1964 for his work in quantum electronics, leading to the invention of the laser. For nearly 20 years, the Governor's School has recognized innovative leaders like Charles H. Townes, who go above and beyond the call of duty when it comes to implementing cutting-edge research, development, technology and business in the Palmetto State.

The Townes Award is among a number of DeLoach's other accolades. A recipient of the Rotary Club Citizen of the Year award, DeLoach was selected by the Pee Dee Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America as the recipient of the council's Distinguished Citizen Award and was named 2008 Businessman of the Year by the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce. Sonoco is ranked No. 27 on this year's Corporate Responsibility Officer magazine's 100 Best Corporate Citizens List.