WARREN Tatom to move into top spot at WCI Steel

The current chief plans to retire when the reorganization is complete.
By CYNTHIA VINARSKY
VINDICATOR BUSINESS WRITER
WARREN -- WCI Steel is announcing a change in its top leadership ranks, effective the first of the year.
Patrick G. Tatom, 53, will assume the duties of president and chief executive, taking over for Edward R. Caine, who has been at the helm since 1996.
Caine, 65, will move into new positions as vice chairman and chief restructuring officer. The company said he will oversee its effort to reorganize under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Caine plans to retire when the process is complete.
Tatom, who has been executive vice president and chief operating officer since 2001, said he values Caine's advice and looks forward to working with him through the leadership transition.
Citing the quality of WCI's work force and the loyalty of its customer base, Tatom said he's confident the steelmaker will emerge from bankruptcy "a strong and viable company" that will bring value to its stakeholders.
Career history
Tatom came to WCI at its inception in 1988, the year the Renco Group of New York bought the property from LTV Steel for $147 million.
Coming from LTV where he held several sales and marketing management positions, Tatom started at WCI as general manager of sales, moved to vice president of its commercial division in 1995, and was named to his current position in 2001.
He attended high school in Connecticut, then earned a bachelor's degree in business and marketing from Marietta College in Marietta in 1974. He lives in Geauga County.
Caine held several leadership positions at U.S. Steel Corp. before taking the top job at WCI.
WCI spokesman Tim Roberts said the leadership change had been in the works for some time, even before the company filed its Chapter 11 petition in September. Caine turned 65 last month and has been wanting to retire, Roberts added.
Meeting with union
Meanwhile, WCI officials continue meeting with representatives of the United Steelworkers of America, the labor union which represents its 1,400 hourly workers, and with its bond holders.
The company's restructuring plan, according to information released last spring, is a three-part strategy which would require new commitments from its parent company, as well as from its lending banks and its employees. WCI has been meeting with the union since then, discussing possible revisions in its contract with USW Local 1375 which expires Oct. 31, 2004.
Roberts said WCI's orders are continuing to look strong into February. Some of the Warren mill's finishing units will close during the holidays, but steelmaking will continue around the clock.
vinarsky@vindy.com