Kennametal Board Names New CFO

Effective Sept. 1, Jan Kees van Gaalen will replace Martha Fusco to lead the company's finance function, while Fusco will continue as vice president and corporate controller.

LATROBE, PA — Kennametal Inc. (NYSE: KMT) announced Thursday that its Board of Directors has elected Jan Kees van Gaalen to the position of vice president and chief financial officer effective Sept. 1.

In this role, he will lead the company's finance function including treasury, accounting, tax and investor relations. Jan Kees van Gaalen replaces Martha Fusco who has served as interim chief financial officer since February 2015. Fusco will continue in her role as vice president and corporate controller.

"We are confident that Jan Kees van Gaalen's diverse, global background and record of performance leading industrial business transformation is a perfect fit for Kennametal as we strengthen the company to win in the marketplace," said President and CEO Don Nolan.  "We expect his leadership to make a significant impact as we continue to shape portfolio, align cost structure and drive improved performance."

Jan Kees van Gaalen has more than 30 years of global experience in business analytics, treasury, audit, business development and commercial management. Prior to joining Kennametal, he was executive vice president and chief financial officer at Dresser-Rand Group Inc. Previously, he held several financial leadership positions including vice president and treasurer for Baker Hughes, Inc. and vice president finance and chief financial officer for PT Vale Inco TBK (formerly PT Inco TBK), in Jakarta, Indonesia.

"I am honored to join the Kennametal team and be part of a company with a strong foundation that continues to invent the future of its industry," van Gaalen said.  "It is an exciting time to be part of the company's transformation and I look forward to positively contributing to change."

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