Bill Partalis will retire as CEO of Kloeckner Metals, Roswell, Ga., at the end of the year. Partalis is a 34-year veteran of North America’s fourth-largest service center company, serving as CEO for the last 15.
In response to Partalis’s departure, Kloeckner has appointed two new senior executives. John Ganem will serve as the company’s next CEO, and Bart Clifford will be the new COO at Kloeckner.
Ganem previously served as the company’s executive vice president of corporate purchasing. As CEO, he will be responsible for long-term strategic planning, networking capital management, supplier relationships and developing supply chain efficiencies through digital innovation.
“It has been by intentional design that we've established Kloeckner Metals as an innovative leader in the global steel industry predominantly through an aggressive digitalization strategy,” Ganem says. “I am excited about working closely with our exceptionally knowledgeable and highly experienced management team as we speed forward in our digital transformation.”
Clifford has more than 28 years of experience in the metals industry, serving most recently as president of Kloeckner’s heavy carbon division. Both Ganem and Clifford officially assume their new roles Jan. 1, with Kirk Johnson staying on as the company’s CFO.
"John Ganem, Bart Clifford and Kirk Johnson have the knowledge, drive and support to continue to transform Kloeckner Metals into a highly efficient business model by reorganization of the management reporting structure and utilizing digital tools to create a 'One U.S.' culture,” Partalis says.
Ganem says he was honored and humbled to follow in Partalis’ footsteps, saying the outgoing CEO worked tirelessly to turn Kloeckner into the respected, market-leading organization it is today.