Metallus Names Kristopher Westbrooks

Metallus announced a leadership change on August 31, 2026. Metallus named president and chief operating officer Kristopher Westbrooks as its next president and chief executive officer, succeeding retiring CEO Michael Williams effective January 1, 2027.

What changed

Kristopher Westbrooks was named President and Chief Executive Officer. Michael Williams will retire as chief executive officer and as a member of the board of directors effective December 31, 2026, and will serve as a special advisor to the CEO and board of directors until June 30, 2027.

Leader: Kristopher Westbrooks
Role: President and Chief Executive Officer
Effective: January 1, 2027
Announcement date: August 31, 2026

Leadership background

Westbrooks was president and chief operating officer of Metallus at the time of the announcement and joined the company in 2018. Before Metallus, he held senior finance and accounting leadership roles at A. Schulman, Inc., including vice president, chief accounting officer and corporate controller. Earlier, he held accounting and financial analysis positions at Procter and Gamble and began his career in public accounting with PwC.

The mandate

Outgoing CEO Williams said he was confident in Westbrooks’ ability to advance the company’s strategy, strengthen its position, and drive future growth. Chairman Ronald A. Rice said Westbrooks had been a strategic partner in advancing the company’s operational strategy and long-term growth objectives.

Why this matters for GTM teams

Executive appointments can precede changes in strategy, operating cadence, hiring, partnerships, and technology priorities. The useful signal is not the title alone: teams should watch the new leader’s stated mandate, prior playbook, organizational scope, and the initiatives announced during the first two quarters.

Source and methodology

This leadership profile is based on the company’s announcement. Roles, transition timing, and biographical details are presented as announced; SalesTools Research does not infer undisclosed succession plans.

Metallus