RPM Announces Election Of Russell L. Gordon As CFO; Realigns Finance Department

MEDINA, Ohio, Feb. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- RPM International Inc. (NYSE: RPM) today announced that its board of directors has elected Russell L. Gordon, currently vice president – corporate planning, as vice president and chief financial officer effective April 10, 2012. Gordon is replacing Robert L. Matejka, RPM's current senior vice president and chief financial officer, who will be retiring at the company's fiscal year end. 

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Additionally, RPM announced the following changes within its finance department, all of which will take effect April 10, 2012:

• Keith R. Smiley, currently vice president – treasurer and assistant secretary, will assume duties of vice president – finance and controller;
• Matthew T. Ratajczak, currently vice president – global taxes, will assume additional treasury responsibilities as vice president – global taxes and treasurer; and
• Barry M. Slifstein, currently vice president and controller, will assume duties of vice president – investor relations and planning.

Gordon will oversee all of RPM's finance functions, including corporate accounting, financial reporting, global tax administration and investor relations.  He joined the company as director of corporate development in 1995 and was elected vice president – corporate planning in 2007.  Prior to joining RPM, Gordon held various financial positions in corporate treasury and control, as well as in the Specialty Chemicals Division at Goodrich Corporation.  He previously was an industrial engineer at VLSI Technology, Inc.  Gordon holds a bachelor's degree in operations research and industrial engineering from Cornell University and a master of management degree from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. 

He will succeed Matejka, who joined RPM in 2000 as vice president and controller and was elected chief financial officer in 2001.  He then served in a consulting capacity with RPM from 2007 until 2010, when he resumed his post as chief financial officer.  Prior to joining RPM, Matejka held a variety of finance and accounting positions with Rockwell International Corporation, Reliance Electric Co. and Ernst & Young LLP.  He holds a bachelor's degree from Cleveland State University.

Smiley, who will become RPM's controller and principal accounting officer while continuing his involvement in capital market activities, joined RPM as an internal auditor in 1992.  He subsequently became corporate controller in 1993 and treasurer in 1997.  He was elected vice president – treasurer and assistant secretary in 1999.  Prior to joining RPM, he was associated with Ciulla, Smith & Dale, LLP, an accounting firm.  He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Akron. 

Ratajczak, who will provide centralized management for RPM's tax and treasury functions, including the company's banking relationships, joined RPM as director of taxes in 2004 and was elected vice president – global taxes in 2005.  Prior to joining RPM, he was director of global tax for Noveon, Inc. and began his career with Ernst & Young LLP.  Ratajczak is a magna cum laude graduate of Kent State University. 

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