Freeport (NYSE: FCX) announced Wednesday that A. Cory Stevens has been named President and Chief Operating Officer of Freeport Americas, effective December 1. 

Stevens joined Freeport in 1997 and has held multiple leadership roles at the company’s North and South America operations and most recently led the team responsible for developing Freeport’s smelter project in Indonesia. 

He currently leads FCX’s centralized technical organization, with responsibility for a broad range of technical support functions across the company, including engineering and construction activities, growth projects, including the high-impact innovative leach initiative, operational support and research and development. 

Under the new structure, Stevens’ role will be expanded to include responsibility for Freeport’s Americas operations. 

Josh Olmsted, who has served as Freeport Americas President and Chief Operating Officer since 2020, will continue with the company in a Senior Advisory capacity. 

“Cory is a remarkably talented innovator, champion for value creation and a highly respected and inspirational technical leader,” Freeport CEO Kathleen Quirk said in a news release. “His capabilities match up extremely well with Freeport’s extensive opportunities for growth in the coming years, and our efforts to adopt innovative approaches to increase copper production in a safe, responsible and cost and capital efficient manner.” 

“We are grateful for Josh’s important contributions in his five years in the role and his commitment to continuing to support our progress,” Quirk said. He built a strong foundation for the future, successfully leading our Americas team during a challenging time in the industry during and following the pandemic.”