CHICAGO — Century Aluminum Co. has promoted Jesse E. Gary to executive vice president, general counsel and secretary.

Gary previously served as associate general counsel, the Monterey, Calif.-based aluminum producer said in a Feb. 1 filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

"Jesse has gained the firm respect of his colleagues and of the company’s key partners in the U.S. and in Iceland," Century president and chief executive officer Michael Bless said in a separate statement.

Gary’s promotion comes after William J. Leatherberry, former executive vice president, chief legal officer, general counsel and secretary of the company, resigned effective Feb. 1, according to the SEC filing.

Leatherberry, who had been with Century for eight years, left after the company decided in June to relocate its headquarters, according to the company.

Leatherberry will remain as a nonexecutive employee until June 21, Century said in the SEC filing, adding that it agreed to pay him a cash severance and other payments worth approximately $1.68 million, as well as reimbursement of legal fees and premiums for health and dental coverage for two years.