---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000950170-24-020474"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "MERC"
cik: "0001333274"
company_name: "MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC."
filed_at: "2024-02-27T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-05T11:05:41.557774+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.65
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Executive Chairman Jimmy Lee steps down for health; McCartney Interim Chairman

## Summary
- Jimmy Lee resigns as Executive Chairman and director for personal health reasons, effective Feb 26, 2024.
- Lee appointed Chairman Emeritus; William McCartney (formerly lead director) named Interim Chairman.
- Lee was CEO from 1992-2015 and Executive Chairman thereafter, leading Mercer's global expansion.
- Board revised governance to provide for an independent Chairman moving forward.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000950170-24-020474
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: MERC
- cik: 0001333274
- company_name: MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.
- filed_at: 2024-02-27T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.65
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1333274/000095017024020474/0000950170-24-020474-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1333274/000095017024020474/merc-20240226.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-24-020474
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-24-020474.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-24-020474.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  William McCartney was appointed as Interim Chairman at MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Interim Chairman
  source text: William McCartney, who previously served as the lead director of the board of directors of the Company, was appointed as Interim Chairman of the Company.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1333274/000095017024020474/0000950170-24-020474-index.htm
- Executive change
  Jimmy Lee changed role as Chairman Emeritus at MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC..
  - Action: stepped down
  - Role: Chairman Emeritus
  source text: Jimmy Lee is stepping down as Executive Chairman and director of the Company for personal health reasons, and was appointed Chairman Emeritus of the Company.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1333274/000095017024020474/0000950170-24-020474-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.