NATIONAL STEEL HEADLINESSteel Producers /
National Steel
Usher's Retirement Sends Ripples through USS Top Management
Sep. 23, 2004 United States Steel Corp. announced several changes in the company's management structure effective with the retirement of Thomas J. Usher as CEO on September 30, and the election of John P. Surma as President and CEO effective October 1. As previously announced, Usher will remain Chairman of the Board of Directors.
John J. Connelly has been elected Senior Vice President—Strategic Planning and Business Development. According to Surma, "Connelly played an important role in the acquisition of U. S. Steel Kosice and the National Steel assets and will continue to assume increasingly important responsibilities for shaping U. S. Steel's future strategies." Connelly will report to Surma.
Thomas W. Sterling was elected Senior Vice President—Human Resources and Business Services. Sterling's expanded duties will include responsibility for the company's newly formed business service center, which includes information technology and support systems for corporate and operations business processes. Eugene P. Trudell, Vice President—Business Services, will report to Sterling, and Sterling will continue to report to Surma.
J. James Kutka, Vice President—Commercial, will assume responsibility for all North American flat-rolled products sales and marketing. "Jim's commitment to service and to building strong customer relationships coupled with his extensive knowledge of the steel industry has earned him these increased responsibilities," said Surma. Kutka will report to John H. Goodish, Executive Vice President—Operations.
In other management changes, Susan M. Kapusta, General Manager—Community Affairs & United States Steel Foundation, will report to Sterling, and W. Nicholas Harper, Manager—Investor Relations, will report to Surma. Harper and Kapusta had previously reported to Usher.