TOMPKINS

CLEVELAND — Cleveland Cliffs Inc. announced Friday that P. Kelly Tompkins, executive vice president and chief operating officer, will retire effective Dec. 31.

Tompkins assumed his current position with the company in January, and his retirement was planned, according to a CCI press release.

Tompkins had served as executive vice president and chief financial officer since April 2015, officials say.

“Over the past several years, he has been instrumental in Cliffs’ turn-around during some of the most challenging times in the iron and steel industry,” the release states.

Since joining the company in 2010, Tompkins has held various executive vice president roles overseeing areas like business development, commercial, legal, strategy, environment, government affairs and communications. He has also been very active in the Cleveland community — representing the company in many arts, education and civic organizations, the release states.

CCI Chairman, President and CEO Lourenco Goncalves said Thompson has been a valued member of the company’s executive team.

“I have enjoyed working with him over the past three and a half years,” Goncalves said. “I am sincerely grateful to Kelly for his dedication and commitment to Cliffs through a time of significant changes at the Company. I wish him well during his retirement”

Lisa Bowers can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. Her email address is lbowers@miningjournal.net.