Allegheny Technologies Inc., Pittsburgh, has named John D. Sims executive vice president, High Performance Materials and Components segment. Prior to this change, responsibility for ATI’s High Performance Materials and Components segment was divided between Sims, who was responsible for the Components Group businesses, and Hunter R. Dalton, who was responsible for the Specialty Materials Group businesses.
Dalton has been named executive vice president, Strategic Growth Initiatives. In this new role, he will be responsible for helping develop the company’s additive manufacturing business strategy and other profitable growth focused strategies. Sims andDalton will continue to report to Richard J. Harshman, ATI’s Chairman, President and CEO, and will continue to serve on ATI’s Executive Leadership Council.
“This is the next step in our strategy to reposition ATI as an aligned and integrated specialty materials and components business. Consolidating the leadership of this segment under John Sims will accelerate the alignment and integration of the separate business units that comprise this segment,” says Rich Harshman. “I believe there are additional opportunities to further align, streamline, and improve the operating efficiencies, and enhance the competitive position of our High Performance Materials and Components segment. Sims has knowledge and leadership experience involving each of the business units comprising this segment.”
“We see additive manufacturing as an important component of ATI’s long-term profitable growth strategy. Dalton’s deep knowledge of ATI’s key global markets, products, and technical and manufacturing capabilities, combined with his expertise in technology and strategic development, make him uniquely capable to assess opportunities and play a leading role in developing ATI’s additive manufacturing approach and strategy development as well as other strategic growth initiatives,” adds Harshman.
ATI also announced that Thomas J. Witheford will succeed Dalton as President of ATI Specialty Materials, which is part of the High Performance Materials and Components segment.
John Sims joined ATI in 1996 as a product metallurgist at our continuous bar and rod mill operations in Richburg, S.C., and has held several top-level positions in his tenure there. Prior to joining ATI, Sims served in a variety of operational and staff assignments during a 14-year career in the U.S. Navy. Sims earned a M.S. in Mechanical/Materials Engineering from the Naval Post Graduate School and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida.
Hunter Dalton joined ATI in 1981 as an Industrial Engineer for ATI Specialty Materials. He advanced through a variety of commercial and operational responsibilities at ATI Specialty Materials. Dalton has a B.S. in Industrial Management from Virginia Tech.
Tom Witheford joined ATI in 1988 as a Product Engineer at ATI’s melt operations in Latrobe, Pa. He advanced through a variety of technical and operational responsibilities at ATI Specialty Materials, including being named Director, Billet Operations and General Manager of ATI’s Specialty Materials Nickel Billet SBU in 1999. He has a B.S. in Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science from Case Western Reserve University.
