Alcoa Announces Executive Appointments

NEW YORK--Dec. 2, 20040, 2004--Alcoa Inc. announced today several executive appointments as part of its continuing effort to better serve our markets and customers globally.

Effective immediately, Robert S. Wetherbee, 45, has been named president of Alcoa's Rigid Packaging business based in Knoxville, Tenn. He replaces Mike Coleman, who was fatally injured in an automobile accident in September. Mr. Wetherbee was formerly president of Alcoa Mill Products based in Chicago. Alcoa Rigid Packaging business is one of the company's largest businesses, which produces aluminum sheet for the beverage and food can industries and leads Alcoa's aluminum can recycling activities.

Executive appointments were also made in the aerospace, automotive and commercial transportation area. Raymond B. Mitchell, 46, becomes president of Howmet Castings and Aerospace Forgings. Howmet Casting has 28 plants worldwide and produces high-grade investment castings for aerospace and industrial gas turbines. The aerospace forgings business manufactures forged aluminum, titanium and nickel-based alloy parts for aerospace and industrial applications in its Cleveland, Ohio, facility. Mr. Mitchell had been president of Alcoa Wheel and Forged Products. He will continue to be based in Cleveland. Mr. Mitchell succeeds Mario Longhi, who was recently named Group President Global Extruded and End Products.

Kevin Kramer, 45, is now president of Alcoa Wheel Products, responsible for both Alcoa's forged and cast wheel products businesses that supply the commercial vehicle and automotive markets globally. Mr. Kramer had been president of Cast Auto Wheels. Mr. Kramer's new role involves the merger of two Alcoa businesses: Cast Auto Wheel and Alcoa Wheel and Forged Products. He succeeds Raymond Mitchell, who was head of Alcoa Wheel and Forged Products. Mr. Kramer is located in Cleveland, Ohio.

Also, starting January 1, 2005, Regina Hitchery, 55, will join Alcoa as vice president, Human Resources. She will be responsible for overseeing human resources activities across the globe in the 43 countries in which Alcoa operates. Ms. Hitchery brings extensive senior human resources experience as well as corporate experience to this position, having served most recently as senior vice president of Human Resources and Group Services for Invensys plc, the London-based global automation, controls and process solutions organization. Earlier in her career, she held a number of senior human resources positions with United Technologies Corporation, including Carrier Corporation and Otis. She will based in Alcoa's New York City.

In addition, effective January 1, 2005, Christine (Christie) Breves, 48, has been named to the newly created position of Chief Procurement Officer, responsible for the majority of Alcoa's purchases of goods and services globally, including primary raw materials, resins, non-smelter energy, transportation, commercial metals and all indirect materials and services. Most recently, Ms. Breves was vice president of Procurement within Alcoa's Global Business Services organization. She will continue to be located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.