Mr. Tompkins will assume the expanded responsibility for leading Cliffs' commercial group which includes global sales, marketing and logistics functions. Mr. Tompkins also will maintain executive oversight responsibility for Cliffs' strategy and business development activities as well as its legal, government, environmental, sustainability, and risk activities worldwide. As previously announced, Donald J. Gallagher will retire effective 31 December 2013.
 
"Kelly brings a wealth of diverse knowledge and expertise from the global mining, chemicals and capital goods industries that is crucial for continuing to build our commercial and business relationships. In addition, he has well established relationships with various external constituents including, governments, the investment community, and global customers that are meaningful to our business," stated Gary Halverson, president and chief operating officer. "I am confident that with Cliffs' established sales and marketing team, Kelly will bring leadership and a fresh perspective to creating long-term growth opportunities through strategic customer alliances around the world."
 
"During this transition, Mr. Gallagher is focused on ensuring the company's customers' interests are seamlessly managed. We thank him for his long-standing dedication and commitment to Cliffs," said Mr. Halverson.
 
With this announcement, the following sales and logistic executives will now report directly to Mr. Tompkins:
 
·     Terrence Mee, senior vice president, global iron ore sales
 
·     William McFadden, vice president, global coal sales
 
·     William Miller, vice president, transportation
 
Mr. Tompkins was appointed chief administrative officer for the company in July 2013 with executive responsibility for the organization's varied global administrative management functions. These functions support both mining operations and the corporate office with respect to critical business, reputational and risk issues as well as legal and regulatory compliance. Specifically, Mr. Tompkins oversees strategy and business development, public and government affairs, legal and environmental affairs as well as risk and internal audit. In addition, he has established relationships with the company's investment community.
 
Mr. Tompkins joined Cliffs in May 2010, having previously been executive vice president and chief financial officer for RPM International Inc., a NYSE-listed, global specialty chemical company. Prior to becoming RPM's chief financial officer, Mr. Tompkins served as RPM's chief administrative officer and previously as its general counsel. Before joining RPM in 1996, he held various legal and management positions with Cleveland-based Reliance Electric company and Exxon Corporation in Houston, Texas, including product marketing, business development, and investor relations.
 
Mr. Tompkins currently is currently engaged with a number of organizations in Northeast Ohio and a member of many not-for-profit boards.
 

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Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. is an international mining and natural resources company. A member of the S&P 500 Index, the company is a major global iron ore producer and a significant producer of high- and low-volatile metallurgical coal. Cliffs' strategy is to continually achieve greater scale and diversification in the mining industry through a focus on serving the world's largest and fastest growing steel markets. Driven by the core values of social, environmental and capital stewardship, Cliffs associates across the globe endeavor to provide all stakeholders operating and financial transparency.