US-headquartered Freeport-McMoRan has appointed Kathleen Quirk as new president and CEO, with effect from June 11, succeeding long-time CEO Richard Adkerson.
Adkerson, who served as CEO for 20 years and established Freeport as a global copper leader, will remain as chairperson of the board.
“For some time, the board has been engaged in a process to identify Richard’s successor. Kathleen has earned the respect of the board, the Freeport organisation and external stakeholders through her track record of accomplishment, proven leadership and mission for value creation for all stakeholders.
“Through her 35‐year career with the company, she has broad knowledge of Freeport’s business and operations, its people and culture, and is highly qualified to lead Freeport as CEO,” said lead independent director Dusty McCoy.
Quirk joined Freeport in 1989 and had responsibility for a broad range of corporate functions, including tax, investor relations, corporate development and treasury before being named CFO in 2003.
She was named president of FCX in 2021 and became a member of the board of directors in 2023.
As a senior member of the company’s executive team for more than 20 years, she has been instrumental in Freeport’s strategic planning and execution of company goals. Quirk is a graduate of Louisiana State University.