Cliffs Natural Resources Inc announced that Laurie Brlas executive vice president, finance and administration & chief financial officer was named Crain's Cleveland Business CFO of the Year among Northeast Ohio's top financial officers for her outstanding fiscal leadership and asset management. Ms Brlas was recognized within the Large Public Company category.

Ms Brlas has served in various financial executive roles at a number of Cleveland based public companies. She joined Cliffs in December 2006 as senior vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer. In her current role, Ms Brlas has leadership responsibilities for finance, accounting, strategic planning, investor relations, tax, and treasury functions as well as information technology, human resources and communications. Ms Brlas joined Cliffs with an extensive accounting and finance career spanning more than 20 years.