Aluminum manufacturer Alcoa Inc. said Monday its board has named Chris L. Ayers as chief operating officer for its global primary products business, effective immediately.
Alcoa makes primary aluminum for numerous industries, operating 23 aluminum smelters around the globe and nine alumina refineries. It maintains bauxite assets in Australia, Brazil, Jamaica, Suriname and Guinea.
Ayers previously served as COO of the company's cast, forged and extruded products division within Alcoa's engineered products and services business.
Separately, Alcoa named Kevin J. Anton as chief sustainability officer. He has led the company's sustainability steering committee for the past year, and previously served as vice president of finance and strategy for Alcoa Global Primary Products.
Anton will be responsible for developing a sustainability strategy and action plan that coordinates the efforts of government affairs, environment, health and safety, as well as Alcoa's marketing, communications and philanthropic efforts.
Shares of Alcoa slid 15 cents to $10.42 in afternoon trading.