Chaparral Steel Co. announced eleven vice presidents following its spin-off from Texas Industries, Inc.

"One of my key objectives is to ensure we have a strong management team in place for the long term," said Tommy A. Valenta, President and CEO. "The team combines both the steel and business experience that is needed to meet the challenges in our industry."

The new Chaparral team includes Cary D. Baetz, who was elected Vice President and Treasurer. Mr. Baetz joined Texas Industries in November 1997, and has held various positions in the TXI organization including Senior Financial Analyst, Corporate Financial Manager and Director of Corporate Finance.

Timothy J. Bourcier was elected Vice President—Operations. Mr. Bourcier joined Texas Industries in March 2001, and has held positions as Vice President and Plant Manager and Vice President of Operations for Chaparral Steel. Since October 2004, he has been Vice President of Steel Operations. Prior to March 2001, Mr. Bourcier held various positions with North Star Steel Corp., most recently as General Manager—Michigan Facility.

Daniel Brock was appointed Vice President—Human Resources. Mr. Brock joined Texas Industries in April of 1997 as Regional HR Manager and transferred to Chaparral in October of 1999 as Director of Human Resources. He has worked in a variety of HR related capacities for over 20 years.

Robert E. Crawford Jr. was elected Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel. Mr. Crawford was previously employed with the law firm of Winstead Sechrest & Minick P.C., Dallas, Texas, since 1983.

William H. Dickert was elected Vice President—Marketing and Sales. Mr. Dickert joined Texas Industries in 1973, and has held various positions in the organization including General Sales/Marketing Manager, General Manager and Vice President—Concrete. Since March 2001, he has been Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Chaparral Steel.

J. Celtyn Hughes was elected Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Hughes joined Texas Industries in 1979, and has held various positions in the organization including Vice President of Package Products. He was appointed Vice President—Logistics and Steel Finance in 1998.

Richard T. Jaffre was elected Vice President—Raw Materials. Mr. Jaffre joined Texas Industries in 1974. Since he joined Texas Industries, Inc. he held the position of Vice President of Raw Materials.

M. Kevin Linch was elected Vice President—Controller. Mr. Linch joined the company in 1990 and has been Controller for the past five years. Prior to that he served in various positions, including Controller of the Structural Products Business Unit and Assistant Controller.

Von Mundy was appointed Vice President—Procurement and Logistics. Mr. Mundy joined Texas Industries in June 1994, and has held various positions in the organization including Senior Financial Analyst, Operational Controller, and General Manager—Cement Treated Materials. Most recently he has been Director—Transportation and Purchasing.

Joe Prusa was appointed Vice President—Tax and Audit. Mr. Prusa has been Tax Manager at Texas Industries since 1998. Prior to that he was Tax Manager and Assistant Controller of Texas Industries from 1989 to 1997 after joining the company in July 1985.

Robert Simcoe was appointed Vice President—Virginia Plant Manager. Mr. Simcoe joined Texas Industries in 1974, and has held various positions in the organization including positions in melting, casting, and rolling operations. Since 2000, he has served as Vice President—Plant Manager for our Virginia Steel Operations.

Headquartered in Midlothian, Texas, Chaparral Steel Co. is the second largest supplier of structural steel products in North America with locations in Midlothian, Texas, and Petersburg, Va. Chaparral follows a market mill concept, making a wide variety of products including structural beams, specialty bar and piling products, all at low cost. The two market mills have a combined production capacity of almost 3 million tons of steel per year.