Board of Directors

Mr. Thene was appointed to serve as Carpenter Technology’s Chairman of the Board effective October 2025 and continues in his role as Chief Executive Officer. Prior to his current position, he served as Carpenter Technology’s President and Chief Executive Officer since July 2015, when he was also appointed to the Board of Directors. He previously served as Carpenter Technology’s Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from January 2013 until June 2015. Prior to joining Carpenter Technology, Mr. Thene served as the Chief Financial Officer of the Engineered Products and Solutions Business Group at Alcoa, Inc. from 2010 until 2013. Previously, he served as Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of Alcoa. He also previously held various other positions during his 23-year career at Alcoa, including Director, Investor Relations; Chief Financial Officer for the Flat Rolled Products Group; Chief Financial Officer for Alcoa World Alumina and Chemicals; and manufacturing manager for the Alumina Chemicals business.

Mr. Thene earned his undergraduate degree in Accounting from Indiana State University and his MBA from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.

Mr. Thene served on the Board of Directors of Mativ Holdings, Inc., formed on July 6, 2022, by merger of Schweitzer-Mauduit International Inc., and Neenah, Inc., two leading global manufacturers of specialty materials, from 2022 until May 2024. Previously he served on the Board of Directors of Neenah, Inc. from 2018 until 2022. He also served on Furman University’s Board of Trustees.

Joined Carpenter Technology’s board in 2019

Dr. Acoff is the Dean of the School of Engineering and Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Mississippi, a position she has held since July 2023. From 2014 through June 2023, Dr. Acoff was the Associate Dean for Undergraduate and Graduate Programs and Professor of Metallurgical Engineering at The University of Alabama, where she served nearly 30 years on the faculty in the College of Engineering and in various administrative positions. She is the 2025 Vice President of The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS) and will be the 2026 TMS President. She received a Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Engineering and holds graduate and undergraduate degrees in the same field. All degrees were earned at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Dr. Acoff also serves on the TMS Board of Directors and on the Board of Trustees for the Four Little Girls Memorial Fund. She holds multiple awards, honors, and publications.

Joined Carpenter Technology's board in 2025.

Ms. Beck brings extensive experience in leading finance organizations at major manufacturing companies over the last four decades. Ms. Beck is Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of MSA Safety Incorporated, a position she has held since August 2025. From January 2022 to February 2025, Ms. Beck served as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer for Terex Corporation, a global manufacturer of materials processing machinery and aerial work platforms. From 2016 through 2021, she served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for NOVA Chemicals. Prior to that, Ms. Beck served as Global Vice President of Supply Chain, Operational Excellence, and Quality for Joy Global, Inc., where she also held the role of Chief Financial Officer for the Joy Mining Machinery subsidiary. Previously, Ms. Beck served in various positions, including Chief Financial Officer, at both the Journal Register Company and Norwood Promotional Products, Inc. Ms. Beck started her career with Deloitte & Touche.

Ms. Beck has significant Board experience as she has previously served on the audit committees for several public companies and nonprofit boards. In addition to Carpenter Technology, Ms. Beck currently serves as an independent director on the public Board of RPM International Inc. since April 2025. She holds a bachelor's degree in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Joined Carpenter Technology’s board in 2019

Dr. Hart is the Class of 1922 Professor and Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (“MIT”). He is also Co-Director of the MIT Initiative for New Manufacturing (INM) and Director of the MIT Center for Advanced Production Technologies (APT). From 2013 to 2020, he was an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at MIT. Dr. Hart has worked extensively with industry and has co-founded and/or advised several startup companies, including VulcanForms, Inc., Upgrade Manufacturing, Inc., and Desktop Metal, Inc.

Dr. Hart earned his master’s and Ph.D. degrees from MIT, and his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan. He has received numerous awards for his research and teaching accomplishments.

Joined Carpenter Technology’s board in 2012

Mr. Karol is Managing Partner and founder of Watermill Group, a private investment firm specializing in strategic and operational management. He serves on the Boards of private companies owned by the Watermill Group, including  Cooper and Turner, LTD., Beck Industries, Weston Industries, Musser Lumber Company and ENBI Global, Inc. Additionally, Mr. Karol is Chairman of the Board and CEO of HMK Enterprises, Inc., a privately-held investment company. From 2006 through February 2012, Mr. Karol served as a Director of Latrobe Specialty Metals, Inc. (“Latrobe”), a manufacturer and distributor of high-performance materials, which was partially owned by the Watermill Group during this time period and was acquired by Carpenter Technology in February 2012.

Mr. Karol is currently a member of the Board of Advisors of The Walter Group. He has also served as Chairman of the Board at Mooney Aircraft Company, Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee at StockerYale, and as a Director for Jeepers! Inc., Intelligent Energy Limited, Inter-Tel Corp., Superior Tubes, and Fine Tubes.

Mr. Karol is currently a member of the Young President’s Organization-Gold and has served as a member of the leadership team for this organization. During this time, Mr. Karol served on the International Board of Directors (1991–2001), Chairman of Strategic Planning (1993–1996), and as International President (1998–1999). He is currently on the board and the executive committee of Chief Executives Organization, where he serves as International Vice President of Education. He is currently a trustee of Tufts University. He received the 2009 Tufts Distinguished Service Award. He is also past Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Vermont Academy and a recipient of the Condit Cup award. He is a Director Emeritus at the National Brain Tumor Society. In addition, he is a co-founder and President of the Herbert M. Karol Cancer Foundation. He formerly served as a member of the Board of Overseers of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and he is a Trustee Emeritus of the Boston Ballet.

Joined Carpenter Technology’s board in 2017

Kathleen Ligocki is a serial CEO, an experienced board member and an advisor for growth companies. During her operating career from 2015 to 2019, Ms. Ligocki served as the CEO of Agility Fuel Solutions, a leader in sustainable clean energy storage and propulsion solutions for commercial vehicles around the world. From 2014 to 2015, she served as the Chief Executive Officer of Harvest Power, one of the leading organics management companies in North America with a mission to create a more sustainable future by transforming organic wastes into bioenergy and soil amendment products. From 2012 to 2014, she worked as an Operating Partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, one of Silicon Valley’s top venture capital providers. From 2010 to 2012, Ms. Ligocki served as Chief Executive Officer of Next Autoworks, an auto company with a unique low-cost business model. From 2008 to 2009, Ms. Ligocki served as Chief Executive Officer of GS Motors, a Mexico City-based auto retailer owned by Grupo Salinas, a large Mexican conglomerate. From 2003 to 2007, she served as Chief Executive Officer of Tower Automotive, a Fortune 1000 global auto supplier. Ms. Ligocki also founded her own firm, Pine Lake Partners, a consultancy firm focused on start-ups and turnarounds. She has held executive positions at Ford and United Technologies, where she led operations in the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Russia. She started her career at General Motors in manufacturing leadership, sales and strategy/program management.

In addition to Carpenter Technology, Ms. Ligocki currently serves as an Independent Director on the public boards of Lear Corporation (Fortune 200 auto supplier) and PPG Industries (Fortune 500 coatings company), two private boards (Aperia Technologies, a tech start-up for tire management, and Axel Johnson International, a Swedish family conglomerate), and two advisory boards focused on tackling the world’s climate challenges through innovation (Lime Rock New Energy and Assembly Ventures). Ms. Ligocki moved to Director Emeritus status on the Indiana University Foundation Board in June 2024, but continues to be involved with the university on a number of committees.

Ms. Ligocki earned a BA degree with highest distinction from Indiana University Kokomo and holds an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania where she was a GM fellow. She also has been awarded honorary doctorate degrees from Indiana University Kokomo, Central Michigan University, and Oakland University.

Joined Carpenter Technology’s board in 2020

Mr. McLane served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Alcoa Corporation from 2007 to 2013. As Chief Financial Officer, he had accountability for Alcoa’s Finance organization, which included Treasury, Controllership, Pension, Investor Relations, Tax, Audit and Financial Planning & Analysis. He was also responsible for the Global Business Service group, which provides IT, purchasing and business support services globally.

Mr. McLane joined Alcoa in 2000 as Director of Investor Relations, following Alcoa’s acquisition of Reynolds Metals Company. Two years later, he was appointed Vice President and Corporate Controller, which also had responsibility for Alcoa Business Support Services. He also had accountability for Alcoa’s transactional service functions, including procurement, financial shared services, environment, health and safety services, and corporate aircraft operations. Prior to joining Alcoa, Mr. McLane worked for Reynolds Metals for 27 years serving in a series of financial assignments, including Division Controller, Director of Finance and Administration for Reynolds’ Global Can business unit, Assistant Controller and Assistant Treasurer.

Mr. McLane currently serves on the board of Motion & Control Enterprises (MCE), a private company owned by Frontenac Company, a private equity firm specializing in strategic and operational management. Mr. McLane has served on the board of directors of the Alcoa Foundation, Alcoa World Alumina, and the National Board of Directors for the Girl Scouts of the USA. Previously, he was a member of the Conference Board’s Council of Financial Executives Institute and a member of the CFO Board Academy, as well as a member of the board of Sapa AB. Mr. McLane earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Accounting from Virginia Commonwealth University. He also attended the Executive Programs at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business and the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

Ms. Pritchett is a global business leader with more than 25 years of proven success accelerating profitable growth by pairing customer intimacy and innovation with disciplined commercial and operational excellence to enhance shareholder value. She has steered multi-billion-dollar advanced-materials businesses across the Americas, Europe, and Asia, supplying customers in aerospace, defense, automotive, electronics, packaging, printing, and building-materials markets. Most recently, Ms. Pritchett served as President, Aperture Solutions - U.S. for Cornerstone Building Brands, Inc., North America's largest exterior-products manufacturer, a position she held from 2022 through  2024. From 2018 to 2022, she led Hexcel Corporation's Americas Aerospace division, the industry leader in carbon- fiber composites and honeycomb structures. Prior to Hexcel, she spent 22 years with DuPont in progressively senior roles spanning commercial, operations, and general management.

Ms. Pritchett holds a B.S.in Chemical Engineering from Penn State University and an MBA from Emory University's Goizueta Business School. She has completed executive programs at Harvard Business School and UCLA's Women in Governance program.

Joined Carpenter Technology’s board in 2001

Mr. Ward is the retired President and Chief Executive Officer of Lenovo Corporation, the international computer company formed by the acquisition of IBM’s PC business by Lenovo. Mr. Ward is a member of the founding team of C3.ai, the leading developer of Artificial Intelligence enterprise platforms and serves as a board member and Compensation Committee Chairperson. He has served on the Board of Directors of Sprinklr, Inc., an artificial intelligence Customer Experience Management company since January 2025. Mr. Ward was appointed Lead Independent Director of Carpenter Technology’s Board effective October 2025.

Prior to joining Lenovo, Mr. Ward was Senior Vice President and General Manager of IBM’s Personal Systems Group, responsible for the Personal Computing Division, the Retail Store Solutions Division, and the Printing Systems Division. In his 26-year career with IBM, he also served as IBM’s Chief Information Officer, and IBM Vice President of Business Transformation, directing business process and information technology investments. Mr. Ward was also General Manager of IBM’s Global Industrial Sector, responsible for the marketing, sales, and service of IBM products and services to all manufacturing and industrial companies worldwide and General Manager of the IBM ThinkPad product lines. Mr. Ward began his career at IBM as an engineer in the Storage Products Division. He held various management positions in manufacturing, production control, and project development for disk drive, tape, and optical storage projects and software development, and was also an assistant to the IBM Chairman.

Previously, he held positions on the boards of Lenovo, E-Ink, E2open, where he was a co-founder, QDVision, KLX Aerospace, KLXE Energy, Molekule, and Vonage Holdings. Mr. Ward earned a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo.

Joined Carpenter Technology’s board in 2021

Mr. Younessi served as Group President, Construction Industries Group, of Caterpillar, Inc. before retiring in January 2021. As Group President of Caterpillar’s Construction Industries Group, he was responsible for Earthmoving, Excavation, Building Construction Products, China Operations and Global Construction & Infrastructure Divisions, Global Rental and Used Equipment Services, and Strategic Procurement. Mr. Younessi also served as Caterpillar’s Group President of Energy & Transportation. In this role, he was responsible for Caterpillar's Electric Power, Industrial Engines, Large Power System, Solar Turbines, Remanufacturing, Rail, Oil & Gas, and Marine Divisions. Prior to joining Caterpillar, Mr. Younessi held a number of senior executive positions in Manufacturing and Engineering at Daimler AG and Navistar Inc. In addition, since 2013, Mr. Younessi has been a board member, investor, and Senior Advisor to Madison Dearborn Partners (MDP), a leading private equity investment firm. He is currently the chairman, or a board member, on several private domestic and international companies.

Mr. Younessi holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology, a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Syracuse University and a master’s degree in Engineering Management from the University of Maryland. Mr. Younessi is a registered professional engineer in the state of Illinois.

Joined Carpenter Technology's board in 2024

Mr. Yu brings more than 25 years of financial leadership experience in large multinational organizations. Mr. Yu was most recently the Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer for Ball Corporation, a supplier of innovative, sustainable aluminum packaging solutions for beverage, personal care, and household products customers, a position he held from 2023 to 2025.

Prior to his role at Ball, Mr. Yu served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Envista, a publicly traded global company and spin-off of Danaher, from 2019 to 2023. Throughout his 22-year Danaher and Envista career, Mr. Yu served as Chief Financial Officer for multiple global divisions in Asia, Europe, and Latin America, where he led successful M&A and systems transformations through varied global economic environments to drive shareholder value creation. Prior to joining Danaher, he worked in finance at Hewlett-Packard and as Senior Auditor at Deloitte & Touche.

Mr. Yu earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics/Business from the University of California, Los Angeles, and an MBA from the University of Southern California. Mr. Yu is also a Certified Public Accountant in the state of California (inactive) and is a member of the AICPA.