Hecla Mining Co. has named Rob Krcmarov as its next president and CEO.

While the announcement isn't a surprise, coming six months after longtime Hecla CEO Phillips S. Baker Jr. retired, the Coeur d'Alene-based mining company becomes the sixth publicly traded company based in the Inland Northwest to name a new CEO this year. 

Krcmarov's new role begins Thursday, Nov. 7, and comes with a position on the company's board of directors, where Hecla's interim president and CEO, Catherine "Cassie" J. Boggs, will remain as board chair.

Boggs says of Krcmarov in a press release, "His experience in managing complex operations and his commitment to safe, sustainable mining practices make him the ideal fit for Hecla's next chapter."

Krcmarov joins the Coeur d'Alene-based mining company with over 35 years of experience, including 13 years in executive leadership roles at Barrick Gold Corp., a Toronto-based gold and copper operation, where his last position was as the executive vice president of exploration and growth.

Anvita Mishra Patel, vice president of investor relations and treasurer at Hecla, says that in Krcmarov's new role, he's responsible for executing the strategy that the board and members of senior management have decided for the company, including areas of growth, innovation, and safety in the U.S. and Canada.

The selection of Krcmarov as CEO makes sense for Hecla because the company needed a permanent replacement for the position and Krcmarov's experience and reputation in the mining industry stood out among a short list of qualified candidates.

"He's also a geologist by training, so that enhances the technical breadth of the team," she adds. 

Krcmarov will be present, along with other members of Hecla's senior management team, to take questions and set expectations for next year during the company's third-quarter earnings report scheduled for today, Nov. 7, says Mishra Patel.

"Given where metal prices are, the outlook overall for mining is excellent," she says, adding that further details regarding the company's future market expectations likely will be made available in February.

Hecla was established over 130 years ago and is the largest silver producer in the U.S., with operating mines in Alaska, Idaho, Quebec, Canada; and another developing mine in Yukon, Canada. 

"It's a privilege to join Hecla and lead such a talented and dedicated team," Krcmarov says in the release. "I look forward to building upon Hecla's legacy of operational excellence."

Hecla trades publicly on the New York Stock Exchange under the HL ticker symbol. Shares in the company were trading at $6.32 as of Nov. 4, down from a 52-week high of $7.68 per share in October and up from a low of $3.37 in February.

Of the 10 publicly traded companies in operation in the Spokane area, six have selected new CEOs year-to-date through October.

Along with Hecla's change in leadership, Spokane-based Gold Reserve Inc. appointed Paul Rivett as the mining company's new CEO in October. 

Additionally, after 24 years serving in leadership positions at Avista Corp., Dennis Vermillion has announced plans to retire at year-end and will be succeeded by Heather Rosentrater, the utility company's first female CEO in its 135-year history.

Spokane Valley-based Key Tronic Corp. promoted Brett Larsen from chief financial officer, treasurer, and vice president of administration to president and CEO of the electronic manufacturing services tech company in June.

W.T.B. Financial Corp., the holding company for Spokane-based Washington Trust Bank, promoted Jack Heath as CEO in April. Heath has replaced Peter Stanton, who had served as CEO and chairman of the board since 2000.

In January, Goldrich Mining Co., of Spokane, appointed Stephen Vincent as the mining company's CEO, replacing William Schara.

Four remaining publicly-traded companies have held onto their key executives this year, including Clearwater Paper Corp., PotlatchDeltic Corp., Itron Inc., and Idaho Strategic Resources Inc.