Alcoa Names New Business Unit President for Northwest Region; Appoints New Wenatchee Works Manager.

Business Editors

FERNDALE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 12, 2001

Mike Tanchuk has been named President of Alcoa Primary Metals' (NYSE:AA) newly created Northwest Region with responsibility for Alcoa's Intalco and Wenatchee smelters as well as oversight of curtailed operations in the region.

Other changes affecting these plants are being announced at this time.

"Over the past several years, Alcoa's Primary Metals business has grown significantly with the acquisition of Alumax and Reynolds," said Alan C. Renken, Alcoa Vice President and Primary Metals President. "By regrouping our Primary businesses into more focused regions, Alcoa can pursue opportunities to continually improve its business performance. Mike Tanchuk will bring his considerable leadership and strategic talents in addition to his knowledge of Northwest issues to his role as President of this new business unit."

"The Northwest has unique challenges with the impact of power prices on the aluminum industry," Tanchuk said. "Our job now is to find ways for these plants to continue to contribute to Alcoa's business plans.

"Competitive power was and remains the critical issue for our Northwest facilities and will, of course, be a primary focus for me," Tanchuk added. "I look forward to returning to Washington state, and the opportunities these plants hold."

Tanchuk returns to Washington after a year as Operations Manager for Alcoa's two Massena, N.Y. facilities where he led Alcoa-Reynolds merger and plant improvement efforts. The Maryland native graduated from Bucknell University with a civil engineering degree and worked at Inland Steel prior to joining Reynolds Metals Company in 1985. Tanchuk held a number of environmental management and superintendent positions at Reynolds' Richmond, Va. headquarters before assuming the Longview, Washington plant manager position in 1998. He joined Alcoa last year following the Alcoa-Reynolds merger. Tanchuk, his wife Liz and their children will relocate to Whatcom County soon.

Jim Frederick, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Alcoa's Intalco Works since 1986 is retiring after 34 years of exemplary service in the aluminum industry. During his tenure Frederick led Intalco to numerous production and efficiency records while at the same time transitioning the plant to a team-based organization using the management principles of the late W. Edwards Deming. Frederick has been active in the Rotary Club of Bellingham, United Way, the Bellingham Chamber of Commerce, the Bellingham Planning Commission and Junior Achievement. He and his wife Gale will remain in Whatcom County.

"I am extremely proud of what has been accomplished at Intalco over the past 35 years," Frederick said. "The people who work at Intalco are very special and have made it an exceptional place to work."

Bob Wilt will become Works Manager for Alcoa's Wenatchee smelter. Wilt, currently the Electrode Superintendent at Alcoa's Tennessee Operations, joined Alcoa in 1999. The West Point graduate, Harvard MBA and Gulf War veteran was an officer in the Army's 101st Airborne Division. Wilt served as a consultant, planner and operations manager for the Atlanta Committee for the 1996 Summer Olympics. He, his wife Jackie and daughter Rachel will relocate to Wenatchee as soon as can be conveniently arranged.

"I am looking forward to coming out and helping Wenatchee Works become a benchmark smelter for safety, productivity and profitability," Wilt said. "I hope to continue the productive working relationship Alcoa has had with the Wenatchee Aluminum Trades Council as we move forward."

Phil Rasmussen, current Wenatchee Works Manager, will join Alcoa's Energy Division as Manager of Strategic Energy Programs. He will be responsible for developing new power sources for the company's operations, including those in the Northwest. Rasmussen and his wife Lovelyn will continue to make Wenatchee their home.

"I look forward to the opportunities this new position will bring," Rasmussen said. "The company has a strategic need for energy resources and I can bring to it experience I have had here at Wenatchee and as power manager for Alcoa's Warrick Operations. My new role puts me in a position to continue to help the plants in the Northwest."

W. Kent Moore will continue as Works Manager at Alcoa's curtailed Troutdale smelter in Oregon.