1. MICHAEL E. KNIRNSCHILD
710 Redstone Circle E-mail: knirnme@yahoo.com
Brunswick, Ohio 44212 Mobile: (216) 650-2981
EXPERIENCE CLIFFS NATURAL RESOURCES INC. Cleveland, Ohio
International mining and natural resources company
8/12-Present Manager – Financial Systems Cleveland, Ohio
• Lead the day to day administration of the Hyperion Planning (HP) and HFM solution at
Cliffs. Includes monthly data rollover and close tasks, resolution of helpdesk tickets,
plan/forecast data loads/copies, metadata changes, and new report requests
• Assess and implement system enhancements to increase the productivity of the finance team
while striving to reduce the administrative burden of the Hyperion solution
• Contribute to system governance activities to ensure the Cliffs’ reporting strategy and chart of
accounts are sustained over the long term
• Lead the SOX financial systems audit
• Prepare and deliver HP/SmartView training to our community of finance users
8/10-8/12 Reporting Stream Lead- Finance Transformation Project Cleveland, Ohio
• Successfully led an eight person team in requirements documentation and sign off, report
specification build, report development, QA, and unit testing
• Resources on the team were spread geographically with varied travel schedules to Cleveland
which demanded a stream lead with exceptional organizational and communication skills to
ensure all team members understood and performed their roles accordingly
• Within a short timeline the reporting stream rolled out a comprehensive suite of standardized
management reports (Hyperion Financial Reporting) that are leveraged by all Business Units
6/08-8/10 Manager-Planning and Analysis Cliffs Natural Resources Asia Pacific Perth, Australia
• Project manager of a team that successfully implemented the System 9 Suite of Hyperion
Products. $1M project was completed on time and under budget while meeting all measures
of success
• Significantly contributed to the reduction from a seven day to a four day close while
eliminating numerous manual spreadsheet models
• Initiated a rigorous monthly current estimate process using the Hyperion products for the
Consolidated Asia Pacific operations
• Accountable for leading the annual planning process for the Cliffs Asia Pacific region
including both coal and iron ore operations
11/03-6/08 Manager-North American Iron Ore Control Cleveland, Ohio
• Assist in the functional direction of plant control activities with a strong focus on operating
cost analysis, budgeting and forecasting
• Analyze and make recommendations on all plant current estimates of production and
operating costs
• Review and challenge capital spending proposals prior to corporate and partner approval
• Analyze and provide direction to the plants during the preparation of the annual business
plans
1/02-11/03 Section Manager, Financial Control-Northshore Mining Company Two Harbors, MN
• Financial manager of Mesabi Nugget LLC, a pilot plant built to demonstrate a new iron-
making technology; managed a $15.5 million escrow budget requiring only 10% of the
estimated contingency
• Instrumental in the monthly closing process; preparation of financial statements and mid-
month cost forecast
• Presented the 2004 Business Plan to the CEO and top executives for approval
• Implemented FAS 143 – Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations

2. 6/00-1/02 Business Development Analyst Cleveland, OH
• Worked with the Vice-Chairman to execute the corporate strategy; transitioned the company
from a manager of iron ore mines to a merchant of iron ore pellets
• Developed discounted cashflow models to determine Cliffs’ highest bid in acquisitions
• Worked closely with outside consultants, advisers, and investment bankers
• Collected, organized, and communicated competitive cost information throughout the
company
6/98-6/00 Finance Associate (Management Development Program) Cleveland, OH; Marquette, MI
• Gained the perspective and “big-picture” understanding of senior management while
transitioning through five varied assignments
• Responsibilities included plant-level budget and capital project analysis, development of
economic models for new production facilities, and generation of corporate level budgets and
earnings forecasts
• Included a 6-month temporary assignment to the Cliffs Michigan Operations
5/90-5/98 LIEUTENANT, UNITED STATES NAVY, NAVAL FLIGHT OFFICER
Avionics Division Officer / Aircraft Mission Commander (E-2C Hawkeye)
• Managed, evaluated, and trained a 25-person division
• Commanded a 5-person aircrew and $70 million aircraft
• Responsible for the maintenance and repair of over $160 million in radar and communications
equipment
• Functioned effectively as a member of a team that planned and flew combat missions over
Bosnia & Iraq
• Instructed, counseled and advised over 70 students enrolled in the NROTC program
Awards
• Personally selected by Admiral Mauz, Commander-in-Chief Atlantic Fleet, to receive the
Navy Achievement Medal for “superior performance” while deployed to Howard Air Force
Base, Panama
• Strike/Flight Air Medal for overland flights of Bosnia in support of Operation Deny Flight
EDUCATION CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY Pittsburgh, PA
5/98 Tepper School of Business – Master of Business Administration
• Completed degree requirements early while employed full-time and also serving as an intern
• Courses: Finance, Corporate Finance, Studies in Corporate Finance, International Finance,
Evaluation of Financial Information, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Options
5/90 UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI Oxford, MS
Bachelor of Arts- Political Science. Graduated Magna Cum Laude.
• Ascended to Battalion Commander and led the 70-person NROTC detachment
• Recognized as the Secretary of the Navy’s Distinguished Graduate
ADDITIONAL
• Computer Skills: Hyperion Financial Reporting, Hyperion Planning, SmartView,and HFM.
MS Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Personal: Enjoy CrossFit, swimming, biking and running. Married with two children.