NEW YORK — Alcoa has named Kevin Kramer, 49, to the newly created position of president, Growth Initiatives. In this role, he is responsible for supporting commercialization strategies for organic growth across Alcoa, including the commercialization of research and development initiatives and identifying and developing new applications that respond to market trends and customers’ needs. In addition, he will support the development and execution of global marketing programs for aluminum applications across existing and new market opportunities.

Kramer had been president of the Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products business, which includes forged wheels and aluminum transportation structures globally. Under Kramer’s leadership, Alcoa successfully introduced the Dura-Bright patented wheels in North America and expanded the use of aluminum in buses in China through partnership with China’s Yuton Bus Co.

“Kevin is the ideal person to lead this growth initiative. He has an outstanding track record of applying innovation to grow the transportation business and the initiative to create new market opportunities,” said Alcoa President and CEO Klaus Kleinfeld.

Kramer joined Alcoa in 2004 as president of Alcoa’s cast auto wheels business, following a successful 21-year career with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. Kramer held a series of progressively significant marketing and management assignments in Goodyear’s North American tire business, and Conveyor Belt and Engineered Products Division, before being named vice president, Original Equipment Sales, North America. He also held international marketing and sales assignments in the Asia-Pacific region for Goodyear.

Kramer graduated from Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in business and marketing.