Previously, Mr. Ploschenko (31) was Mechel OAO’s Acting Chief Financial Officer. As Chief Financial Officer, he will continue to be responsible for strategic development of Mechel’s Finance Division, financial policies and planning, US GAAP reporting, implementation of internal controls, integration and unification of Mechel subsidiaries’ operations, and operational management of the financial units.

Prior to being appointed Mechel’s Acting Chief Financial Officer in June 2007, Mr. Ploschenko was Mechel’s Deputy CFO and Deputy Treasurer for Corporate Lending from June 2006 to June 2007. From 2001 to 2006 he held a number of senior positions at Commerzbank AG and Commerzbank ZAO where his most recent position was the Head of Metal and Mining Industries Group, Corporate Clients Department, Commerzbank (Eurasija) ZAO. Previously, he worked as an auditor for Bank's Audit Service LLC from 1995 to 1996. Mr. Ploschenko holds an MSc in International Securities Investment & Banking from the ISMA Centre at the University of Reading, a BA in International Finance & Trade from the University of Portsmouth (UK), and a Specialist Diploma in International Economics from The Finance Academy under the Government of the Russian Federation.