Nucor said Leon Topalian’s new title was effective Sunday. Topalian, 49, has served as vice president and general manager of Nucor-Yamato Steel Co. since 2014.  

"Leon has served Nucor in many key roles, and now he will be a strong addition to our executive leadership team. His promotion to executive vice president is the result of thoughtful and orderly succession planning that has been a significant strategic initiative throughout the Nucor organization in recent years," Nucor chief executive officer John Ferriola said in a statement. 

Topalian began his Nucor career in 1996 as a project engineer at Nucor Steel-Berkeley, and was promoted to cold mill production supervisor in 1998. He has held various leadership positions at Nucor Steel-South Carolina and Nucor Steel Kankakee, among other places, the company said.