OREANDA-NEWS. August 9, 2011. Mechel JSC  (NYSE: MTL), one of the leading Russian mining and metals companies, announces the appointment of Anatoly Merzlyakov as the new Chief Executive Officer of Mechel-Energo LLC . Mr. Merzlyakov replaces Sergei Zorin, who was acting chief executive officer.

Anatoly Merzlyakov, 59, will continue to streamline the financial, administrative and production activities of all of Mechel Group’s energy generating and sales companies, as well as tackle their social and economic issues.

Mr. Merzlyakov has many years of experience working in the industry as a senior executive in several private and state-owned energy companies.

Prior to his appointment, in 2008-2009 Mr. Merzlyakov worked as a deputy chief executive officer in the Russian Housing Development Foundation. In 2006-2008, he was chief of the Upper Volga department and first deputy general director in the Interregional Distribution Grid Company of central Russia and North Caucasus. Before that, in 1998-2005 Mr. Merzlyakov worked as chief executive officer in Lipetskenergo JSC .

Mr. Merzlyakov graduated from Moscow Energy Institute with a specialty in industrial heat energy systems.

Mr. Merzlyakov has been granted industry awards — the titles of Honorary Energy Worker, Meritorious Employee of Russian Federation’s Energy Ministry, Meritorious Employee of Russia’s United Energy System, Honorary Energy Complex Worker. He was also awarded with the industry medal of 85th anniversary of GOELRO plan and the honor medal for Merit in Russian Energy Industry.