The board of directors of Worthington Industries, Inc. announced that John Blystone, the Company?s long-time Lead Independent Director has been named Executive Chairman. Blystone?s appointment completes a planned succession with Executive Chairman John P. McConnell, who will now retire. In January 2023, John H. McConnell II joined the Worthington Industries board and is expected to serve on the board of both companies after the planned separation.

John B. Blystone, 70, has served as a director of Worthington Industries since 1997 and as the Lead Independent Director since January 2007. Blystone is General Partner of Blystone Capital Partners. He served as Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of SPX Corporation, a global provider of technical products and systems, industrial products and services, flow technology, cooling technologies and services and service solutions, from December 1995 to December 2004, when he retired.

From 1991 to 1995, Blystone served in various managerial and operating roles with General Electric Company and served as Chairman of the Board of Freedom Group, Inc., from August 2010 to March 2012. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Science degree. McConnell, 69, began his career at Worthington in 1975 as a general laborer, later working in sales and operations with increasing responsibility.  He was instrumental in administering the Company?s highly recognized employee-focused policies as head of personnel, including the Company?s focus on health and wellness that featured the opening of an onsite fitness center in 1985 and onsite medical center and pharmacy for employees and their families in 1994.  McConnell was named CEO in 1993 and in 1996 succeeded his father as Chairman of the Board.

As CEO, McConnell streamlined Worthington?s focus on steel-related businesses, expanded the Company?s global footprint and enhanced its joint venture strategy, significantly growing profitability.  Perhaps McConnell?s greatest achievement is the Transformation Plan, implemented in 2007, that positioned the Company to emerge from the Great Recession with expanded market share and profitability, and these efforts continue to be a key driver of the Company?s success.  In his last 10 years as CEO, Worthington expanded its business by completing 20 acquisitions.  McConnell?s commitment to shareholders is evidenced by the Company paying a quarterly dividend ever since becoming a public company more than 50 years ago and increasing the dividend for 13 consecutive years.