As Founder and Managing Director of Peter Browning Partners, LLC, a board advisory firm, Peter brings extensive and diverse business experience. He is the co-author of “The Director’s Manual” and is highly sought after to share his views on corporate governance. He began his career as a sales trainee at Continental Can Company, where he spent 24 years and rose to lead two divisions as President, ultimately serving as Executive Vice President and Operating Officer.  

In 1989, he joined National Gypsum Company and, within a year, was elected Chairman, President, and Chief Executive. He then joined Sonoco Products Company, where he last served as President and Chief Executive Officer, before retiring in July 2000.  In March 2002, he was appointed Dean of the McColl School of Business at Queens University of Charlotte where he served until May 2005.

He has served on the board of directors of fourteen publicly traded companies during which time he has served as Chairman and CEO, CEO, non-executive chair, lead director and chairs of audit, compensation, and governance/nominating committees. At present he serves on the boards of ScanSource, Inc. and Gypsum Management & Supply.  

A Boston native, he earned a BA in History from Colgate University and an MBA from the University of Chicago. His leadership has been the subject of case studies at Harvard Business School and the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School.

Awards & Accolades: 

The National Association of Corporate Directors honored Peter with the 2023 Lifetime Achievement  Award during their annual Directorship 100 Recognition Gala. NACD Director 100 List in 2011 and 2012 – NACD Tribute Board Alert Magazine selected Peter as one of eight "Outstanding Directors of the Year" for his role in  successful CEO transitions at Lowe's and Nucor. 
· The 2009 recipient of Boston University’s “Gislason Award for Leadership in Executive Development."

· In April 2010, his chapter “Leadership in the Corner Office: The Board’s Most Important Responsibility” was published in the Jossey-Bass and Center for Creative Leadership book titled “Extraordinary Leadership:  Addressing the Gaps in Senior Executive Development."

· He is a lifetime member of The University of Chicago, Council on the Booth Graduate School of Business and served on the Executive Committee of the National Association of Manufacturers.  

Peter is married and has four children and seven grandchildren, currently living with his wife Kathy in Charlotte, NC.