Steel Mills

New Operating Model and Leadership Changes at U.S. Steel

Written by Sandy Williams

October 10, 2019

U.S. Steel unrolled a new operating model on Tuesday that is expected to deliver $200 million of annual fixed cost savings by 2022. The new model includes a realignment of the company’s leadership team. The changes will be effective Jan. 1, 2020, and closely follow the recently announced investment in Big River Steel.

“Our enhanced leadership team structure is the right next step to help U.S. Steel achieve its ambitious strategy to create the leading integrated and minimill steel company with a world competitive, ‘best of both’ footprint to better serve our customers,” said U.S. Steel President and CEO David Burritt. “We are intensely focused on improving our capabilities to win in strategic markets, reducing structural costs with a leaner footprint and attracting and investing in the best talent that share our S.T.E.E.L. Principles. We have been investing in building a footprint of world-class assets and with today’s announcement we will become a more focused, agile organization with a world-class leadership team ideally structured to capitalize on market opportunities and position us for success.”

New CFO

U.S. Steel also announced that Kevin Bradley will resign as Chief Financial Officer effective Nov. 4, but will stay on through the end of the year to focus on financing activities, including the Big River Steel purchase, and the transition of his successor.

Christine Breves, currently Senior Vice President, Manufacturing Support and Chief Supply Chain Officer, has been tapped as Bradley’s replacement. Breves joined U.S. Steel in 2013 after 14 years at Alcoa.

Leadership Team

Sara Greenstein, Senior Vice President of Consumer Solutions and in charge of overseeing the Mon Valley Works investment, will resign effective Oct. 11 to assume the role of CEO at a publicly traded company.

Joe Smous, General Manager, Construction and Converters, has been appointed interim Head of Consumer Solutions, effective Oct. 11, 2019, and will report directly to Burritt. Program management of the construction at Mon Valley Works and corporate communications will also report directly to the CEO as of Oct. 11.

The U.S. Steel Senior Vice President Executive Team as of Jan. 1, 2020, will include:

  • Scott Buckiso, currently Senior Vice President, Automotive Solutions, named Chief Manufacturing Officer North American Flat-rolled (NAFR) segment.
  • Doug Matthews, currently Senior Vice President, Industrial, Service Center, Mining Solutions and Tubular, named Chief Commercial & Technology Officer.
  • Jim Bruno, Senior Vice President, European Solutions and President, U.S. Steel Košice, will continue to lead all aspects of European commercial and operating activities as President of U.S. Steel Europe.
  • Christie Breves, currently Senior Vice President, Manufacturing Support and Chief Supply Chain Officer, will assume the role and responsibilities of Chief Financial Officer.
  • Rich Fruehauf, currently Senior Vice President, Strategic Planning and Corporate Development, named Chief Strategy and Development Officer.
  • Duane Holloway will continue to lead all aspects of the General Counsel function as General Counsel, Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary.
  • Barry Melnkovic will continue to lead all aspects of talent management, as well as labor relations and payroll, as Chief Human Resources Officer.

Sandy Williams

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