Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of
Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers.

Appointment of Principal Officers

Effective January 21, 2009, Peter J. Thompson, age 46, has been appointed Treasurer, Chief Financial and Strategic Planning Officer to succeed Torben Wetche, who resigned from the position of Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer to pursue other opportunities. Mr. Thompson has served as Vice-President - Strategic Planning since August 2008. From August 2006 to August 2008, Mr. Thompson served as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. He has over 12 years of service with the Company, including President-U.S. Operations from November 1998 to August 2006.

Mr. Thompson's compensation will consist of a base salary of $335,000 per year plus a target annual incentive cash bonus of 45 percent of base salary and a long-term incentive bonus targeted at 90 percent of base salary, which is payable in the Company's restricted stock. Mr. Thompson does not have an employment contract with the Company. He will receive health and welfare and other benefits on the same terms made available to all salaried employees.

The January 22, 2009, press release announcing the change is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c) Exhibits

99.1 Press Release, dated January 22, 2009, of Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc., announcing senior management changes.

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