CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Nucor Corporation (NYSE: NUE) announced today that Chad Utermark, Vice President and General Manager of Nucor-Yamato Steel Company, has been promoted to Executive Vice President of beam and plate products effective May 11, 2014. Joe Stratman, who has served as Executive Vice President of beam and plate products since 2007, will continue to focus on the business development activities for which he assumed responsibility in 2010.

Mr. Utermark, 46, began his career with Nucor as a utility operator at Nucor Steel-Arkansas in 1992, became shift supervisor in 1995 and was promoted to Hot Mill Manager in 1999. In 2003, he transferred to Nucor Steel-Texas as their Roll Mill Manager and was promoted to General Manager in 2008 and Vice President in 2009. Mr. Utermark has served as Vice President and General Manager of Nucor-Yamato Steel Company since 2011.

Also effective May 11, Leon Topalian, 46, Vice President and General Manager of Nucor Steel Kankakee, Inc., will become Vice President and General Manager of Nucor-Yamato Steel Company. A replacement for Mr. Topalian will be named at a later date.

John Ferriola, Nucor's Chairman, CEO and President, commented, "The promotions of Chad and Leon result from the thoughtful and orderly succession planning that has been a significant strategic initiative through the Nucor organization in recent years. Chad will be a strong addition to our executive management team and will continue the success that Joe and his team have achieved in optimizing existing operations and completing strategic acquisitions to profitably grow Nucor's beam and plate businesses."

Nucor and affiliates are manufacturers of steel products, with operating facilities primarily in the U.S. and Canada. Products produced include: carbon and alloy steel -- in bars, beams, sheet and plate; steel piling; steel joists and joist girders; steel deck; fabricated concrete reinforcing steel; cold finished steel; steel fasteners; metal building systems; steel grating and expanded metal; and wire and wire mesh. Nucor, through The David J. Joseph Company, also brokers ferrous and nonferrous metals, pig iron and HBI/DRI; supplies ferro-alloys; and processes ferrous and nonferrous scrap. Nucor is North America's largest recycler.

SOURCE Nucor Corporation