CHICAGO — Metals distributor A.M. Castle & Co. has appointed Scott Dolan as president and chief executive officer effective Monday.

Dolan succeeds interim chief executive officer Scott F. Stephens, who continues as chief financial officer and treasurer of the Oak Brook, Ill.-based company. Castle’s board made the selection following an extensive search process, which included both internal and external candidates.

"Scott Dolan possesses the qualities we sought in a chief executive officer to execute A.M. Castle’s strategy, engage our employees and deliver improved results for shareholders," Castle chairman Brian P. Anderson said in a statement.

Dolan was most recently senior vice president of airport operations and cargo at Chicago-based United Continental Holdings Inc., where he managed a unit with $1.2 billion in annual revenue. Prior to joining United Continental in 2004, he was chief operating officer of Purchase, N.Y.-based Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings Inc.