Tom Knepper

Executive Vice President, Technical Services

Thomas ("Tom") R. Knepper has 39 years of experience in the zinc industry.

In July 2006, Knepper was the general manager of US SDR LLC and SDR LLC. In this capacity, he was responsible for the successful design, construction, start-up and operation of the SDR Waelz Kiln constructed in Millport, Alabama, USA.

From 1972 until 2006, Knepper was employed by Horsehead Corp. and various predecessor companies in ever increasing levels of responsibility, leaving Horsehead in July 2006 to join US SDR LLC. During his time with Horsehead, Knepper worked in various fields of the organization mainly related to operational management positions, in the zinc oxide and Waelz plants. Knepper contributed to the design and start-up of a French process zinc oxide plant in Mexico. He was plant manager of the Waelz Kiln plant in Calumet, Illinois, USA.

Knepper restarted and ran the Rockwood plant in Tennessee, USA. He was then promoted to director of operations for Horsehead Resource Development. In 1997, Knepper joined the plant in Monaca, Pennsylvania, USA, and became director of operations for the smelter, which at the time operated with 500 employees.