CLEVELAND, April 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. (NYSE: CLF) announced today that it has named its current Executive Vice President of Business Development, P. Kelly Tompkins as the Company's new Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer effective April 1, 2015.  Mr. Tompkins will replace Terrance Paradie, who announced his resignation to pursue an opportunity with another company. Simultaneously with Mr. Tompkins's appointment as CFO, the Company's current Executive Vice President, Seaborne Iron Ore, Clifford Smith has been named Executive Vice President, Business Development. The position previously occupied by Mr. Smith has been eliminated.

Lourenco Goncalves, Cliffs' Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Kelly has been working closely with me since last August to shape the Company's strategy, and I have come to value the breadth and depth of his professional experience, as well as his dedication to Cliffs and to our employees. I am extremely pleased that Kelly has accepted the role of Chief Financial Officer, and believe that this senior executive change is happening at the right time." Mr. Goncalves added: "I wish the best to Terry Paradie in his future endeavors, and look forward to working with a smaller executive team, sharply focused on our core US Iron Ore business, with Kelly Tompkins leading our financial team, and with Cliff Smith leading our business development efforts and our remaining seaborne business."

Since joining Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. in May 2010, Mr. Tompkins has held many executive officer and senior leadership positions. He brings several years of public company financial experience to his new role and has been involved with numerous debt and equity financings; M&A activity; participated in a management led leveraged buy-out; and initial public offerings and a hostile tender offer. At Cliffs, he served in executive vice president roles in business development, commercial, legal and government affairs.  He also was Chief Administrative Officer and President of Cliffs China for the Company. Prior to joining the organization, Mr. Tompkins served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of RPM International Inc., a NYSE-listed, global specialty chemical company from June 2008 to May 2010. He also served as RPM's Chief Administrative Officer and Senior Vice President and General Counsel. Earlier in his career, Mr. Tompkins held various legal, management and investor relations positions with Reliance Electric Company and Exxon Corporation.

Prior to Mr. Smith's new appointment, he held the role of Executive Vice President, Seaborne Iron Ore, where he had oversight for the Company's international operations in Australia and Canada. Mr. Smith joined Cliffs in 2003, holding several senior level positions, including global responsibility for operations and business development. He also led the exploration and development activities of the Company's global exploration group. In addition, Mr. Smith previously served as Vice President, Latin American operations and technical, and General Manager of business development for Cliffs. Prior to joining Cliffs, Mr. Smith held mine management positions with Asarco and South Peru Copper Corporation. 

First-Quarter 2015 Earnings Release and Conference Call Information
Separately, Cliffs Natural Resources announced today that it will host its first-quarter earnings' conference call to be held on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at 10 a.m. EDT, to review its quarterly financial results. The Company's financial results will be released after the U.S. market close on Tuesday, April 28, 2015. The press release, and its accompanying financial exhibits, will also be available on the Company website prior to the conference call. The call will be hosted by Lourenco Goncalves, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer and Kelly Tompkins, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer.  Interested parties can listen to the live broadcast of a conference call with securities analysts and institutional investors via the Company's website: www.cliffsnaturalresources.com 

About Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.
Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. is a leading mining and natural resources company in the United States. The Company is a major supplier of iron ore pellets to the North American steel industry from its mines and pellet plants located in Michigan and Minnesota. Cliffs also operates an iron ore mining complex in Western Australia. Additionally, Cliffs produces low-volatile metallurgical coal in the U.S. from its mines located in Alabama and West Virginia. Driven by the core values of safety, social, environmental and capital stewardship, Cliffs' employees endeavor to provide all stakeholders operating and financial transparency. News releases and other information on the Company are available at: http://www.cliffsnaturalresources.com.

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SOURCE Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.