Cliffs Executive and Leadership Team

June, 2026

Leadership Overview

Cliffs has 5 executives leading key functions including strategy, information technology, regional operations, finance, and labor relations.

Driven by a commitment to operational excellence, Cliffs is dedicated to advancing North America's steel manufacturing capabilities through vertical integration and a focus on innovation, serving critical industries with high-quality steel products.

Leadership Roles at Cliffs

  • Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer - Lourenco Goncalves
  • Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer - Celso Goncalves
  • UAW President, Local 3462 - Kurt Knicely
  • Chief Information Officer - Gary Ramba
  • Richard Mehan - Richard Mehan
  • Lourenco Goncalves - Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer

    Lourenco Goncalves, the Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer at Cliffs, directs the overarching strategy and operational execution for North America's largest flat-rolled steel producer. This leadership role involves guiding the company's vertical integration from raw material mining through steelmaking and downstream finishing, ensuring alignment with market demands and technological advancements. Goncalves oversees all divisions, including Steelmaking, Tubular, Tooling and Stamping, and European Operations, driving performance across multiple blast and electric arc furnaces and finishing facilities. The Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer ensures the company maintains its position as a leading supplier to the automotive industry and other key sectors. By focusing on efficiency and innovation in mining, beneficiation, pelletizing, and steel production, Lourenco Goncalves secures the company's competitive edge and long-term financial health, managing extensive operations across the United States and Canada.
    Lourenco Goncalves

    Celso Goncalves - Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

    Celso Goncalves, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Cliffs, directs the company's financial strategy, capital allocation, and fiscal operations, underpinning its extensive mining and steelmaking activities. This role is central to managing the financial health of North America's largest flat-rolled steel producer, overseeing budgeting, forecasting, and investor relations. The Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer ensures robust financial controls across all divisions, including Steelmaking, Tubular, Tooling and Stamping, and European Operations. Goncalves's leadership supports the company's vertically integrated model, from raw material acquisition to the delivery of specialized steel products to the automotive industry and beyond. By optimizing financial performance and managing risk, Celso Goncalves drives sustainable growth and shareholder value for Cliffs' diverse operations across the United States and Canada.

    Kurt Knicely - UAW President, Local 3462

    Kurt Knicely, the UAW President, Local 3462 at Cliffs, represents the interests of unionized employees, fostering a collaborative labor-management relationship crucial for operational continuity. This leadership position involves advocating for worker welfare, ensuring adherence to collective bargaining agreements, and promoting a safe working environment across the company's mining and steelmaking facilities. Knicely's role is integral to maintaining productive dialogue between the workforce and executive leadership, particularly concerning the company's extensive operations in Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, and Michigan. The UAW President, Local 3462 works to align employee needs with the company's strategic goals, supporting the production of high-quality steel products for key markets like the automotive industry. By championing employee engagement, Kurt Knicely contributes to the overall stability and efficiency of Cliffs' manufacturing and mining endeavors.

    Gary Ramba - Chief Information Officer

    Gary Ramba, the Chief Information Officer at Cliffs, architects and executes the company's comprehensive information technology strategy, supporting its vast mining and steelmaking operations. This critical function ensures the seamless integration of digital systems across all divisions, from raw material extraction in Minnesota and Michigan to advanced finishing facilities nationwide. The Chief Information Officer drives innovation in IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and data analytics to enhance operational efficiency and decision-making. Ramba's leadership ensures that technology investments directly support Cliffs' vertical integration model, optimizing processes in steelmaking, tooling, and stamping. By managing the technological backbone, Gary Ramba enables robust communication and data flow across the company's geographically dispersed facilities, reinforcing its status as a major North American steel producer and a key supplier to the automotive sector.

    Richard Mehan - Richard Mehan

    Richard Mehan, the President & Chief Executive Officer (Asia Pacific) at Cliffs, spearheads the company's strategic initiatives and operational oversight within the Asia Pacific region. This executive leadership position involves navigating complex international markets, fostering key business relationships, and driving growth for Cliffs' diverse product lines, including flat-rolled carbon steel, plate, and long steel products. Mehan's responsibilities encompass expanding market presence and ensuring operational alignment with the company's global objectives. The President & Chief Executive Officer (Asia Pacific) plays a vital role in adapting Cliffs' vertically integrated model to regional demands, managing supply chains and customer engagement. By focusing on market penetration and operational excellence, Richard Mehan contributes significantly to the company's international footprint and overall revenue generation.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Cliffs Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Cliffs?
    Cliffs is led by Lourenco Goncalves (Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Celso Goncalves (Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer) and Kurt Knicely (UAW President, Local 3462).
    Who is part of Cliffs’s executive team?
    The executive team of Cliffs includes leaders such as Lourenco Goncalves (Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer), Celso Goncalves (Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer), Kurt Knicely (UAW President, Local 3462) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Cliffs have?
    Cliffs has 5 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Cliffs’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Cliffs includes roles such as Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, UAW President, Local 3462, Chief Information Officer, Richard Mehan.