Alcoa names Thuestad head of Global Primary Products

Alcoa announced October 8 that John Thuestad, 47, president and CEO of metals and materials company Elkem AS of Norway, will join Alcoa effective January 1, 2008, in the newly created position of president, Global Primary Products - United States. In this position, Thuestad will have accountability for Alcoa’s 10 aluminum smelters in the U.S. and the alumina refinery in Point Comfort, Texas.

“John brings a strong knowledge of the aluminum business and shares many of the same Values as we do at Alcoa particularly regarding safety, health and environmental sustainability. Alcoa’s 45-year presence in Norway was established through a partnership with Elkem, and the two companies have had a long relationship in technology sharing and development,” said Bernt Reitan, Alcoa executive vice president and group president, Global Primary Products.

Thuestad has been president and CEO of Elkem AS in Norway since 2005. For five years, from 2000 to 2005, he was senior vice president, Aluminium Division and Managing Director of 50 percent Alcoa-owned Elkem Aluminium ANS. He also held managing director positions at Norzink Odda and Hydro Aluminium as well as production, marketing and project management positions at the Bremanger and Salten Silicon plants and Elkem Engineering Division in Norway. From 1988 to 1992, he was sales/marketing manager with Elkem Metals USA based in Pittsburgh. During this time, he earned an MBA degree from Carnegie Mellon University.