United States Steel Corp. announced that J. James Kutka has been appointed Senior Vice President—Commercial, effective September 1.

"This promotion recognizes Jim's commitment to ensuring that steel remains the material of choice in all the markets we serve, and that U. S. Steel continues to be a leading supplier," said John H. Goodish, Chief Operating Officer of U. S. Steel.

Kutka, a native of Canton, Ohio, began his U. S. Steel career in 1967 as a production worker at the company's former Canton Roll & Machine Works. Following graduation from The University of Akron in 1970, where he earned a degree in accounting, he held accounting posts at Canton Works and at several other U. S. Steel facilities.

Through the 1980s, Kutka held increasingly responsible positions in accounting, purchasing, business planning and sales before he was named General Manager of Human Resources in 1993. He served as General Manager of Business Process Reengineering and General Manager of Marketing & Planning for sheet products in 1996, and in 1997 was named General Manager—Automotive. In 2001, he was appointed to Vice President—Commercial, and in 2002, assumed the additional role of President of United States Steel International, Inc. As Senior Vice President—Commercial, he is responsible for all North American sales and marketing of flat-rolled products.

Also effective September 1, Joseph R. Scherrbaum will return to Pittsburgh headquarters as Vice President—Sales, reporting to Kutka, with responsibility for domestic sales and customer service for flat-rolled products. Since 2002, Scherrbaum served as Vice President—Commercial at U. S. Steel Kosice, where he played a key role in growing U. S. Steel's presence in the European marketplace.

Succeeding Scherrbaum at USSK is John B. Peters, who most recently served as General Manager—Appliance, Tin and Container at Pittsburgh headquarters, and as General Manager—Automotive at the Automotive Center in Troy, Mich., from 2001 to 2004.