To: All Freeport Employees
From: Josh Olmsted, President and Chief Operating Officer-Americas
Date: May 25, 2022
Vicki Seppala, currently General Manager-Climax, will become General Manager-Safford effective July 1, replacing Jeff Monteith who recently became General Manager-Bagdad. She will report to me.
Vicki has been with the company 27 years, starting at Sierrita as a geotechnical engineer. She has held a multitude of roles at company sites in North and South America – from drilling and blasting, to mine technology, to health and safety. She was mine manager at the company’s now-sold Candelaria mine in Chile and general manager in 2018 at Climax. She has a Bachelor of Science in geological engineering from the University of Arizona.
Vanessa DeViterbo, Mine Manager-Climax, will serve as Interim General Manager and will report to Mike Kendrick, President-Climax Molybdenum Company.
Ruben Funes, President-El Abra, has elected to retire May 31 after 28 years of service with the company. Ruben has been a valued and respected leader at our Chilean operations throughout his career. He has been instrumental in the development of the local community and has made numerous contributions to the FM Americas organization. On behalf of our senior leadership team, I want to express our appreciation and wish him all the best.
Boris Medina, General Manager Operations-El Abra, will serve as Interim President and will report to me.
Please join me in supporting Vicki in her new role and wishing Ruben well in his retirement.