Geert Van Poelvoorde is an executive vice president and CEO of the company's European flat carbon division. He succeeds Robrecht Himpe, who has served as president since 2014. Himpe, also an ArcelorMittal executive, is steeping down to handle other responsibilities within the company, the association said. “I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Mr. Van Poelvoorde as he takes up the reins of the EUROFER presidency," said EUROFER director general Axel Eggert in a statement. “Mr. Van Poelvoorde’s leadership will ensure EUROFER can continue to support the steel industry in facing economic and policy challenges.” Van Poelvoorde holds a degree in civil engineering and electronics from the University of Ghent, Belgium. He began his career in 1989 as a project engineer at the Sidmar Gent hot strip mill, where he held several senior positions in the automation and process computer department. He moved to Stahlwerke Bremen in 1995 as senior project manager. He went on to lead a number of departments there, and in 2003, he was appointed director of Stahlwerke Bremen, responsible for operations and engineering. In 2005, Van Poelvoorde returned to ArcelorMittal Gent as its chief operating officer. He was named the operation's chief executive officer in 2008, and was later promoted as CEO of flat carbon Europe's northern business division. He has served as the CEO of flat carbon Europe since January 2014. "I am honored to have been given the opportunity to lead the organization on behalf of all its members," Van Poelvoorde said in a statement. Van Poelvoorde's term, which lasts for two years, takes effect immediately.