CANTON, OH, May 21, 2025 – Metallus has announced that Kristopher R. Westbrooks has been promoted to the newly created role of president and chief operating officer and John M. Zaranec III has been appointed as the company’s executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective June 16, 2025. Both executives will report directly to Mike Williams, Metallus’ chief executive officer.
As president and chief operating officer, Westbrooks will lead Metallus‘ safety, manufacturing operations and excellence, and supply chain organizations, fostering cross-functional collaboration and operational excellence. He will drive alignment with the company’s strategic initiatives and support growth objectives.
Westbrooks has been the chief financial officer of the company since September 2018 and has played a central role in its operational and financial restructuring. Before joining Metallus, he held executive roles at A. Schulman, Inc., including vice president, chief accounting officer, and corporate controller. He began his career in public accounting and is a graduate of Miami University.
“Over the past seven years, Kris has played an instrumental role in our company’s growth, consistently providing outstanding leadership and strategic guidance. His ability to build high-performing teams, combined with his expertise in financial strategy and deep understanding of our business, has strengthened our balance sheet – enhancing our flexibility to drive growth and navigate economic challenges. Under his leadership, we have established a strong foundation that positions us for continued success,” said Mike Williams.
Zaranec has more than 20 years of financial experience in the manufacturing and industrial sectors. He most recently served as division CFO at Materion Corporation, overseeing finance strategy and function for the performance materials segment. His prior roles at Materion included chief accounting officer, corporate controller, and head of investor relations. He also held finance leadership positions at The Timken Company. Before moving into corporate finance, Zaranec spent nearly a decade in public accounting. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business and a master’s degree in accountancy, both from Miami University.
“We are excited to welcome John to Metallus. With extensive expertise in driving company performance and strategy as a financial business partner, as well as engaging with investors, financial planning, forecasting, and team development, we are confident he will play a key role in our continued success. We look forward to his contributions and leadership as we remain focused on delivering value to our shareholders,” stated Williams.
Source: Metallus Inc.
About Metallus Inc.
Metallus Inc., formerly known as TimkenSteel Corporation, is a U.S.-based manufacturer specializing in high-performance specialty metals. Headquartered in Canton, OH, the company has been in operation since 1899 and rebranded as Metallus in February 2024. It offers over 500 grades of steel, including special bar quality (SBQ) bars, mechanical tubing, and precision-engineered components. The products support industries such as automotive, aerospace and defense, energy, and industrial equipment. Metallus operates several manufacturing facilities in OH and NC, as well as a production plant in Mexico. The company employs approximately 1,880 people and had sales of $1.1 billion in 2024. Metallus focuses on maintaining tight manufacturing tolerances and delivering steel products that meet complex engineering and application requirements.