Stately Shift Strengthens Structural Stability

In a deliberate and strategically timed move, U. S. Steel has recalibrated its executive leadership, announcing significant appointments and forthcoming departures. The organization is set to bid adieu to Jessica Graziano, its Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, along with Duane Holloway, its Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer. Both executives have been instrumental in guiding U. S. Steel through complex and transformative corporate chapters, particularly aligning with Nippon Steel’s strategic partnership.

Financial Firmament: Graziano’s Graceful Departure

Jessica Graziano, credited with steering intricate financial strategy over nearly three years, will retain a guiding role as a special advisor through July 18, 2025. Her tenure was marked by decisive leadership during the strategic alternatives review and the critical structuring phase of the Nippon Steel engagement. CEO Dave Burritt acclaimed her leadership, noting her blend of enthusiasm, authenticity, and dedication, all of which underpinned major financial successes and stakeholder navigation throughout a period of significant corporate realignment.

Ethical Exemplar: Holloway’s Honorable Exit

Duane Holloway departs after a seven-year run defined by robust legal oversight, ethical stewardship, and strategic counsel. Under his supervision, U. S. Steel earned four consecutive recognitions as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies®. He also played a pivotal part in the Big River acquisition, regulatory negotiations, and supporting the framework of the Nippon Steel alliance. Burritt characterized Holloway as a trusted confidante whose legal and strategic rigor fortified the company’s objectives and values.

Financial Fiduciary Forefront: Lewis Steps In

Kevin Lewis, with 17 years at U. S. Steel across finance, strategy, investor relations, and FP&A, has been appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer & Tubular Solutions. Lewis has been lauded as the operational ‘‘quarterback’’ behind the Nippon Steel alliance. Burritt praised his strategic acumen and unwavering performance, highlighting Lewis’s ability to manage daily negotiations and provide sharp counsel to both executive leadership and the broader business unit. His ascension projects financial steadiness and strategic continuity for ongoing corporate priorities.

Legal Luminary: Duncan Welcomes New Role

Scot Duncan, promoted to Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary, brings a decade of rich legal expertise within U. S. Steel. Duncan has been instrumental in guiding commercial, corporate, and transactional agendas, regularly working alongside Duane Holloway on high-stakes legal matters tied to Nippon Steel. CEO Burritt recognized Duncan’s essential contributions, noting that his expertise ensures legal consistency and preserves institutional memory while advancing organizational objectives.

Seamless Succession & Systematic Strategy

The parallel announcements of internal promotions and executive exits reflect a meticulously planned succession strategy. By transitioning from proven internal colleagues, U. S. Steel guarantees knowledge continuity, preserving critical strategic momentum, especially essential during the Nippon Steel integration. The approach emphasizes a dual cadence of innovation and institutional solidity as U. S. Steel navigates its multi-national partnerships and evolving market posture.

Transnational Transformation & Tenured Trust

The changes arrive at a moment when U. S. Steel is adapting to more than a century of corporate heritage and global synergy. The Nippon Steel partnership signals a broader metamorphosis in the company's strategic direction, one that requires agile leadership poised for cross-border collaboration, regulatory fluency, and technological competitiveness. Both Lewis and Duncan, steeped in corporate history and forward-focused vision, emerge as the leaders best equipped for navigating the landscape ahead.

Leadership Legacy & Future-Facing Framework

Jessica Graziano and Duane Holloway will remain as advisors during the interim to secure a smooth handover and sustain stakeholder confidence. Lewis and Duncan now hold the reins of financial architecture and legal framework, respectively. These leadership adjustments mark a thoughtful and robust transition: a reaffirmation of internal talent, continuity for ongoing ventures, and readiness for growth-focused evolution in alignment with Nippon Steel and sector innovations.

Key Takeaways:

• Kevin Lewis becomes CFO & Tubular Solutions EVP, bringing 17 years of comprehensive internal experience to anchor the Nippon Steel partnership.

• Scot Duncan, appointed General Counsel & Secretary, maintains legal stewardship and builds on his transaction leadership and internal continuity.

• Jessica Graziano and Duane Holloway depart as CFO and GC, respectively, but will stay as special advisors until July 18 to ensure a smooth leadership transition.