Gypsum manufacturer USG has announced effective January 1, James S. Metcalf, currently president and chief operating officer, will become CEO as well as continuing as president, succeeding William C. Foote as CEO. Metcalf will assume full responsibility for USG’s strategic growth and development and for ensuring its continued operational excellence, the company said in a press release.

Foote continues as executive chairman of the USG Board of Directors. These changes continue the implementation of an ongoing executive succession plan developed and overseen by Foote and the USG BOD over the past few years.

Metcalf joined USG as a sales trainee in 1980. In addition to his experience in the company’s sales organization, he has served as president of the company’s Building Systems unit, which includes United States Gypsum Company and USG Interiors, Inc., and president of its L&W Supply Corp. distribution business. His executive management experience also includes roles in marketing and strategy.

“Jim Metcalf has almost thirty years of experience with USG, and as President and COO for the past four years, has built a strong operational team,” Foote said. “Jim has led the Company’s restructuring efforts to adjust our operations to meet the challenging conditions we face in the construction and building materials industries. Jim has excellent relationships with our customers and has played a key role in representing the Company with the investment community.

“It has been a distinct privilege to lead this great Company over the past 15 years,” Mr. Foote continued. “Jim has prepared himself extremely well to become USG’s next chief executive and I look forward to working closely with him as he assumes this well-deserved role.”

Metcalf said, “I am deeply grateful to have the opportunity to lead USG’s exceptional team as CEO, and I greatly appreciate the board’s confidence in me. While we certainly face challenging economic conditions, I am proud of the resilience of the company and excited about our ability to return to a growth agenda as our markets recover. We are focused on four strategic priorities: strengthening our core businesses, expanding internationally, growing product adjacencies and accelerating innovation. We are making excellent progress in all four areas and are confident our strategy will deliver superior results for our customers, shareholders and other stakeholders.”