In a statement, GrafTech said Timothy K. Flanagan, 46, will take over as president and chief executive officer immediately. Flanagan had served as interim CEO since November 2023. He previously had been GrafTech’s chief financial officer. 

“After completing a comprehensive search, conducted with the assistance of a leading executive search firm, that considered both internal and external candidates, the board is confident that Tim is the right person to lead GrafTech forward to capitalize on the company’s competitive advantages and deliver long-term growth," said GrafTech board chairman Henry R. Keizer.

"Since joining the company, Tim has demonstrated strong leadership, helping to guide GrafTech throughout this pivotal period in the company’s history. In addition, Tim’s extensive steel industry experience, reflecting his numerous leadership positions at Cleveland-Cliffs for more than a decade, will serve the company, its stockholders, its customers and its other stakeholders well as GrafTech moves ahead," he added. 

Flanagan had served as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. from January 2017 to February 2019. He joined Cleveland-Cliffs in 2008 and held a number of financial leadership roles there. 

Flanagan holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Dayton.