Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) promoted Josh Olmsted as president and chief operating officer for the Americas replacing Harry M. “Red” Conger IV. Following a successful 33-year career with FCX, Conger will retire September 1.
Olmsted currently serves as senior vice president of the Americas. He has 28 years of experience in the Freeport-McMoRan organization, including senior leadership roles at several operating sites in the U.S. and South America. Over the last four years, FCX said he has assumed increasing leadership responsibilities within the company’s Americas organization and has been highly effective in driving critical operational, technology and transformational initiatives currently in progress.
“Red has made significant contributions to the Freeport organization and to the mining industry throughout his 43-year career in mining,” FCX President and CEO Richard C. Adkerson said. “He is a champion for our industry and has been instrumental in building our Americas business and developing exceptional operational and technical talent within Freeport-McMoRan.”
Adkerson described Olmstead as a seasoned, accomplished operational leader. “He has exceptional technical acumen in a broad range of mining and development activities, a relentless commitment to safety, a strong drive and value focus and proven abilities to lead, challenge and motivate our teams,” he added.
Watch an interview with Josh Olmsted and Shannon Lijek here.