Severstal North America Announces New Chief Operating Officer
01/10/2008 - Severstal North America names Thomas J. Cera to the position of Chief Operating Officer, replacing Jim Hrusovsky, who was recently appointed CEO of Columbus, Miss., based SeverCorr.
Severstal North America’s Board of Directors has named Thomas J. Cera to the position of Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately.
Cera replaces Jim Hrusovsky, who was recently appointed CEO of SeverCorr, the Columbus, Miss., based next-generation steel mill serving the Southern region of the U.S. Severstal OAO intends to fully consolidate SeverCorr financials into the company in 1Q 2008.
In his new position, Cera will be responsible for quality, operational effectiveness and safety. He will report to Ronald Nock, President and CEO.
"We are pleased to add Tom to the company's management team. His extensive industry experience and leadership skills will be a great asset to Severstal North America, as we continue with our modernization program to become the best-in-class steel producer," Mr. Nock stated.
Cera, whose career spans 27 years of relevant strategic and operational experience in the steel industry, previously served as Director, Operations Management at OAO Severstal from 2007 to 2008. Prior to joining the company, Cera served as Plant Manager, Finishing Operations for Mittal's Indiana Harbor Plant (2005 through 2006) and as Vice President, Plate and Rail Products for ISG (2004 through Mittal's acquisition of ISG in 2005). He began his career at U.S. Steel in 1981 as a management associate at the Gary Works, subsequently holding positions of increasing responsibility in coke production, hot rolling, cold rolling, sheet products, tin products, plate products, and coating.
Cera holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Calumet College and a MBA from Indiana University.
Severstal North America, Inc. (SNA) ranks as the fourth-largest integrated steel company in the United States with its manufacturing facilities and corporate headquarters located in Dearborn, Mich. The company produces high quality flat-rolled carbon steel products (hot rolled, cold rolled, electrogalvanized and hot-dip galvanized) for customers in the automotive industry as well as for customers in the converter, service center and other related markets.
Severstal NA has formed a number of joint ventures with other steel companies, and has earned TS 16949, OHSAS 18001 and ISO 14001 certifications, the international standards for quality, health and safety and environmental management systems, respectively.
Severstal NA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of OAO Severstal, one of Russia's largest steelmakers and one of the top fifteen integrated steel manufacturers in the world.
