Topalian to Succeed Ferriola as Nucor CEO

Nucor Corp. has announced a change in leadership as part of its planned succession process. John J. Ferriola, 67, will retire as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer on Dec. 31. Leon J. Topalian, 51, was named President and Chief Operating Officer, effective Sept. 5, and will succeed Ferriola as CEO on Jan. 1, 2020.

Ferriola has served as Chairman since 2014 and as CEO since 2013. Previously, he served as President from 2011 to September 2019, President and Chief Operating Officer from 2011 to 2012, Chief Operating Officer of Steelmaking Operations from 2007 to 2010, Executive Vice President from 2002 to 2007, and Vice President from 1996 to 2001. He has also been a director of Nucor since 2011. He joined Nucor in 1991 as the Manager of Maintenance and Engineering at Nucor Steel-Texas. He later served as General Manager of Vulcraft-Texas, Nucor Steel-Nebraska and Nucor Steel-Indiana.