NEW YORK — Doe Run Co. vice president and chief operating officer Jerry Pyatt is set to take over the top job after president and chief executive officer Bruce Neil announced his plans to retire at the end of July.

Pyatt will take over the role Aug. 1, the St. Louis-based lead producer said. Aaron Miller, vice president of environmental, health and safety, will replace Pyatt as vice president and chief operating officer.

"Plans have been under way for my retirement for some time, so we expect this to be a seamless transition," Neil said.

Prior to being named chief operating officer in 2001, Pyatt served as general manager of Doe Run’s Buick Resource Recycling Division.