Walt Bargeron Retires, Ron Chango Appointed Acting President At Burns Harbor Division
Bethlehem Steel Corporation
For Immediate Release
BETHLEHEM, Pa., February 15, 2000 - Dr. Walter N. Bargeron, president of the Burns Harbor, Ind., Division of Bethlehem Steel Corporation, has elected to retire after more than 30 years of service, effective March 31, and Ronald F. Chango, currently vice president, operations, at Burns Harbor, has been appointed acting president at Burns Harbor, it was announced today by Curtis H. Barnette, Bethlehem�s chairman and chief executive officer.
In making the announcement, Mr. Barnette said: "We sincerely appreciate Walt�s outstanding contributions to Bethlehem�s technology and total quality programs throughout his career, and his leadership of the Burns Harbor Division since July 1996. His commitment to excellence and flawless execution has enabled Burns Harbor to achieve premier supplier status to the automotive industry."
Concerning Mr. Chango, the Bethlehem chairman said: "Ron brings enormous operating experience to lead Burns Harbor toward achieving our business objectives."
Dr. Walter N. Bargeron
Dr. Bargeron was born in Westfield, Mass., and received a bachelor�s degree in metallurgical engineering from the University of Notre Dame and a doctorate in metallurgical engineering from the University of Michigan.
He joined the Homer Research Laboratories of Bethlehem Steel in 1969, and worked at Bethlehem�s Lackawanna, N.Y., steel plant involved in blast furnace operations and metallurgical divisions. Dr. Bargeron moved to the Burns Harbor Division in 1983 and advanced through quality, technology and metallurgy positions before being named senior manager at Burns Harbor in 1987.
In 1991, Dr. Bargeron was elected vice president, technology and quality assurance, at Bethlehem�s corporate offices, and was elected president, services division, in 1993. He was promoted to his current position at Burns Harbor in 1996.
Ronald F. Chango
A native of Philadelphia, Pa., Mr. Chango holds a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from Drexel University. He attended the Advanced Management Program at the University of Pennsylvania�s Wharton School of Business in 1999.
Mr. Chango joined Bethlehem Steel in 1970 at the blast furnace department at the corporation�s Lackawanna, N.Y., plant. Mr. Chango worked in various operating management positions there before being transferred to Burns Harbor in 1983. At Burns Harbor, he served as superintendent of the blast furnace department from 1990 to 1995 and was superintendent of the slab mill/plate mills department from 1995 to 1997. He was promoted to senior manager, operations, in August 1997 and to vice president, operations, in June 1998.
A leading steel operations expert, Mr. Chango is a member and former director of the Western States Blast Furnace and Coke Plant Association, having held several elected offices with that group. He is a member of the American Iron and Steel Institute and the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers.