PITTSBURGH (AP) -- United States Steel Corp., the largest U.S. steel producer, announced Tuesday three executive appointments in a leadership restructuring that is part of an early retirement program.
The Pittsburgh-based steelmaker said Feb. 6 about 500 employees agreed to retire early as part of a plan to slash costs as the global economic downturn undermines demand for the metal. Executives also opted for the early retirement.
David H. Lohr, 55, has been elected senior vice president for strategic planning, business services, enterprise resource planning, public affairs, community affairs and the United States Steel Foundation.
The departments previously reported to J. James Kutka Jr. and Thomas W. Sterling, whose retirements had been announced.
Michael S. Williams, 48, succeeds Lohr and was elected senior vice president for North American flat roll operations.
Gregory A. Zovko, 47, was elected vice president and controller. He succeeds Larry G. Schultz, whose retirement also had been announced.
U.S. Steel also announced that Michael J. Hatcher, 51, has been appointed vice president for procurement, raw materials and real estate. He will succeed Christopher J. Navetta, whose retirement was announced recently.
Hatcher was a financial analyst at Marathon Oil Co. and senior financial representative at U. S. Steel.
In addition, Douglas R. Matthews has been appointed vice president for tubular operations and president of the U.S. Steel Tubular Products Inc. subsidiary effective immediately.
Shares edged up 34 cents, or 3.5 percent, to $21.87 in afternoon trading.