Jan. 31, 2007 — United States Steel Corp. has appointed Michael S. Rhoads as Plant Manager of the Keewatin Taconite Plant in Keewatin, Minn., a part of the company's Minnesota Ore Operations.

In his new position, Rhoads succeeds Scott H. Coleman, who was recently named General Manager of Minnesota Ore Operations, and will report directly to him. The advancement is effective February 1.

Rhoads began his career at U. S. Steel in 1994 as a student co-op at Mon Valley Works' Clairton Plant. Upon completion of his undergraduate degree, he was hired as a staff associate at Clairton and then progressed through a series of increasingly responsible positions at the facility.

In 2004, Rhoads was named Senior Process Leader—Galvanize, Tern and Maintenance at Mon Valley Works' Irvin Plant. Later that same year, he returned to Clairton when he was promoted to Division Manager—Chemicals and Energy. He advanced to his most recent position, Division Manager—Coal, Coke and Services, in 2005.

Rhoads, 33, graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1995 with a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering. He obtained his master's degree in business administration from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh in 2002.

Rhoads is a member of the American Iron and Steel Institute and Chairman of its Committee on Coke Oven Practice. He also belongs to the Eastern States Blast Furnace and Coke Oven Association.