GrafTech International CEO Marcel Kessler Resigns

By Oyin Adedoyin

GrafTech International, a leading producer of graphite electrodes used in electric arc furnaces, has announced that Chief Executive Marcel Kessler will be stepping down effective November 15 due to family reasons. The company's board has appointed Timothy Flanagan, the current Chief Financial Officer, as the interim CEO and president while they search for a permanent replacement.

In their search for a new CEO, GrafTech has enlisted the help of a search firm and is considering internal as well as external candidates. Kessler will officially resign from the company at the end of the year but will continue to serve on the board.

In addition to the leadership changes at the top, the company has also named Catherine Hedoux-Delgado, the current Vice President and Corporate Controller, as the interim CFO. Both Flanagan and Hedoux-Delgado will assume their new roles on November 15.

Flanagan joined GrafTech as CFO in November 2021, bringing with him valuable experience from his previous leadership positions at Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., a prominent flat-rolled steel producer and iron-ore pellet supplier.