Top Stories

Steel Dynamics' Busse Named AISI Chairman
AISI-Sponsored Research and Standards Development Reach Around the World
AISI 2008 General Meeting Highlights Future of the Industry
Metals Initiative Re-Authorization Signed by President Bush
AISI's Andrew G. Sharkey, III Awarded 2008 Gary Memorial Medal at AISI General Meeting
AISI Marks Two Decades of Teaching Student Designers About Steel

Capitol Line

• Substandard Chinese Imports are Focus of Steel Caucus Hearing
• AISI's 3rd Annual Environmental Briefing Held on Capitol HillAm
• erican Steel First Act Would Extend "Buy America"
• Check Out AISI's Public Policy Efforts on the We

More Stories

House and Senate Pass Farm Bill
Manufacturing and Technology Continues Committee Integration and Seeks Collaborative R&D
Canned Food Alliance Program Receives Recognition
Steel Sustainability Featured at Green Day Event in Detroit
The Steel Recycling Logo—A Sign of Quality and Environmental Awareness
SFA Provides Direction on Green Building Using Steel at NABH Conference
Fillion, Fisher Receive 2008 Market Development Industry Leadership Award
2008 Richard S. Fountain Award Presented to William J. Wright
Steel Recycling Education Program to be Highlighted at Summer Camps Across the Country
Jim Schultz Retires as Vice President, Environment and Energy

Steel Dynamics' Busse Named AISI Chairman

AISI's Board of Directors elected Keith E. Busse, chairman and CEO, Steel Dynamics, Inc., to a one-year term as chairman of the Institute. He was sworn in as chairman at the Board's spring meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona on May 4.

"I am honored to serve as this year's chairman in what I see as a crossroads year for both our industry and the Institute," Busse said during his Chairman's Address on May 6 at the 116th AISI General Meeting in Scottsdale. "My vision for this pivotal year is to see us move forward on the high road, achieving new successes in our quest for sustainability, and finding common ground to make our voice—a unified voice—heard in the halls of Congress louder than ever before."

Referring to the nation's focus on climate change, Busse said, "the steel industry is clearly committed to doing our part in making the world a better place for future generations. AISI and its member companies share a deep dedication to responsible stewardship of our natural resources so that future generations can enjoy them just as we cherish them today." He said the industry will continue in its commitment to "lightening our environmental footprint" as part of the Institute's strategic plan and "our industry's vision for the future."

Busse succeeds Ward J. "Tim" Timken, Jr., chairman, The Timken Company, who served as chairman of AISI for the 2007-2008 term and who will serve this year as vice chairman of the Institute. The Board also elected to one-year terms as vice chairmen of the Institute the following: Regulo Salinas, vice president for business, Hylsa, S.A. de C.V., and James L. Wainscott, chairman, president and chief executive officer, AK Steel Corporation.

In his role as chairman, Busse will speak out on issues, such as climate change and trade, representing the industry on those and other important public policy issues. He has previously served as vice chairman of AISI and as chairman of the Institute's Finance Committee. For more information, contact Nancy Gravatt.

AISI-Sponsored Research and Standards Development Reach Around the World

As the steel industry becomes more global, so do the research and standards development activities that establish the competitive playing field for steel in construction applications. In June 2008, AISI's standards development work will be presented at two significant conferences in Australia that bring together preeminent researchers from around the world to share research findings and showcase standards development accomplishments.

At the 5th International Conference on Coupled Instabilities in Metal Structures in Sydney, Dr. Roger LaBoube of the Missouri University of Science and Technology will present a paper co-authored by Helen Chen and Jay Larson on the AISI North American Cold-formed Steel Design Standards. In addition, Dr. Ben Schafer of The Johns Hopkins University will present a series of papers resulting from AISI-sponsored work he has conducted to further develop the direct strength method, a revolutionary design approach recently codified in the AISI North American Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members.

The 2008 International Conference on Thin Walled Structures will include a paper presented by Dr. Roger LaBoube of the Missouri University of Science and Technology, which is co-authored by Jay Larson on the AISI Standards for Cold-formed Steel Framing. Additional papers highlighting AISI-sponsored research will include Residential Hip and Valley Roof Framing Using Cold-formed Steel Members by Abel, Stephens and LaBoube, and Rotational Restraint of Distortional Buckling in Cold-formed Steel Framing Systems by Schafer, Sangree and Guan. For more information, contact Helen Chen or Jay Larson.

AISI 2008 General Meeting Highlights Future of the Industry

On May 4-6, AISI held its 116th General Meeting in Scottsdale, Ariz. in conjunction with the Metals Service Center Institute (MSCI). This was our fifth year meeting with MSCI—and was very well attended—not a surprising fact given the steel industry is now in its fifth year of strong performance. AISI attendance grew 20 percent, with Associate Members participation up 40 percent. Total attendance was about 670, including MSCI and AISI producer members and their spouses, associate and affiliate members, allied professional organizations, and media representatives.

The Opening Ceremonies were different from previous years—taking pause to recognize Andrew G. Sharkey, III, AISI's president and CEO of 15 years (and previous chief executive of Steel Service Center Institute-now MSCI), who will be retiring in the coming months. Ward J. (Tim) Timken, AISI's immediate past chairman, and chairman, The Timken Company, in speaking about Andy, said: "In preparing for this session, I polled my fellow directors and found that the language used to describe Andy and his role in the industry was very consistent. Professionalism, grace under fire, vision, leadership, steadfastness, selflessness, dedication, thoughtfulness and above all - integrity." In thanking Andy Sharkey on behalf of the members, Timken said: "Andy, thank you for your personal commitment to the industry, the leadership that you have exhibited in making it globally competitive and above all else, thank you for your friendship." Bob Weidner, MSCI president and CEO, and Norman Gottschalk, Jr., chairman of the MSCI Board of Directors and president of Marmon Keystone, presented Sharkey with an Honorary lifetime membership to MSCI.

The general buzz in the air about the two-days' program was that the content was strong—more to come once the evaluations come back from attendees. For now, here are some highlights:

Speaker Martin Feldstein, Ph.D., a George F. Baker professor of economics at Harvard University and president and CEO of the National Bureau of Economic Research, kicks things off at the first joint session with his presentation titled, Economic Outlook: The Good, The Bad and The Not-So Ugly.

Next, a group of industry CEOs, moderated by Andrew G. Sharkey, III, president and CEO of AISI, discusses The Global Steel Battleground: Raw Materials, Energy and Climate Change. Dan DiMicco, chairman, president and CEO, Nucor Corporation, Steven Leer, chairman and CEO, Arch Coal, Inc., José Martins, executive director - ferrous, Vale, Michael Rippey, president and CEO, ArcelorMittal USA, and John Surma, chairman and CEO, United States Steel Corporation, participated on the panel discussion about iimportant steel industry issues.

Terry McAuliffe, chairman of Hillary Clinton for President and former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, and Dan Bartlett, former counselor to President George W. Bush, take part in a lively discussion focused around Race for the White House: Point-Counterpoint.

Jacob Kotzubei, partner, Platinum Equity LLC, presents on Private Equity in the Metals Space.

Next, M. Robert Weidner, III, president and CEO of MSCI, moderates North American steel industry CEOs in a discussion on The Strategic Challenges Facing the North American Steel Industry. Wayne Bassett, Samuel, Son & Company Ltd., Keith Busse, Steel Dynamcis, Inc., David Hannah, Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co., Michael Hoffman, Macsteel Service Centers USA, John Tulloch, IPSCO Inc., and Jim Wainscott, AK Steel Corporation, discuss major challenges facing the North American steel industry and how producers and service centers can work together with their customers on manufacturing competitiveness issues in North America.

AISI Chairman Keith Busse, chairman and CEO, Steel Dynamics, Inc., speaks on Tuesday morning before the awards ceremony on his vision for the Institute for the coming year. He comments on AISI's progress in securing a stronger foothold in new markets, as well as continuing a focused course of research and development.

Following his remarks, Busse recognizes several individuals for their outstanding leadership. Andrew G. Sharkey, III, president and CEO of AISI, receives the distinguished Gary Memorial Medal, awarded by the Institute for his remarkable lifelong contributions to the North American steel industry (see related article in this issue).

The Market Development Industry Leadership Award is presented to John Fillion, Chrysler LLC (retired); and to James Fisher, Ph.D., Computerized Structural Design, who was unable to attend the ceremony, for their significant contributions in advancing the competitive use of steel in the marketplace as a direct result of AISI Market Development initiatives in the automotive and construction markets (see related article in this issue).

The following individuals were recognized for their roles as chairmen of AISI committees:

• Michael Meyers of United States Steel Corporation for his role as Chairman of the Construction Market Committee
• Philip Morgan of Morgan Construction Company for his role as Chairman of the Associate Members Committee
• Jeff Wetzel of ArcelorMittal USA for his role as Chairman of the Manufacturing Committee on Tin Mill Practices.

Several additional retiring chairmen were unable to attend, including:

• Michael Amann, ArcelorMittal-Sparrows Point, Manufacturing Committee on Metallurgy Tin Mill Practices
• Robert Bly, Steel Dyanmics, Inc., Manufacturing Committee on Hot Strip Mills
• James Boggs, Severstal North America, Inc., Manufacturing Committee on Refractories
• James Buhl, Nucor Steel Seattle, Inc., Manufacturing Committee on Rod and Bar Mills
• Ronald Cerminaro, United States Steel Corporation, Energy Committee
• Patrick Cummings, ArcelorMittal-Indiana Harbor, Manufacturing Committee on Packaging, Shipping and Transportation Methods
• Owen Decker, Jr., ArcelorMittal-Indiana Harbor, Manufacturing Committee on Metallic Coated Sheet Practices
• James Fittipaldo, ArcelorMittal-Warren, Coke By-Products Subcommittee and Manufacturing Committee on Coke Oven Practices
• Bill Jones, United States Steel Corporation-Granite City Works, Manufacturing Committee on Metallurgy Steelmaking and Casting
• Christopher Kristock, Severstal North America, Inc., Committee on Manufacturing Technology
• Jeff Powers, Nucor Steel-Berkeley, Manufacturing Committee on Strand Casting
• Joseph Ryan, Severstal North America, Inc., Manufacturing Committee on Primary and Secondary Oxygen Steelmaking
• William Sherwood, WCI Steel, Inc., Manufacturing Committee on Ironmaking
• Thomas Sneeringer, United States Steel Corporation, Council of U.S. Producers
• Joe Stacey, ArcelorMittal-Dofasco, Manufacturing Committee on Metallurgy Steelmaking and Casting
• Scott Starr, California Steel Industries, Inc., Manufacturing Committee on Sheet Mill Practices
• Nicholas Valentine, The Timken Company, Manufacturing Committee on Strand Casting
• Mark Wellensiek, ArcelorMittal-Indiana Harbor, Manufacturing Committee on Sheet Mill Practices.

Following the Awards Ceremony, attendees hear from panelists for the AISI General Session titled, Addressing Climate Change with Global Solutions: What's on the Horizon in Breakthrough Technologies? Panelists included Ian Christmas, secretary general, International Iron and Steel Institute, Donald Sadoway, John F. Elliott Professor of Materials Chemistry, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and H.Y. Sohn, professor, metallurgical engineering and chemical engineering, University of Utah.

Moderated by Scott Salmon, general manager, United States Steel Corporation, the session offers panelists' perspectives on the critical issue of climate change and the steelmaking technologies being researched that will address this critical issue within the steel industry.

The meeting concludes with speaker Ken Dychtwald, futurist, psychologist, author and expert on aging, who delivered remarks about Demographics, Diversity and the Workplace.

AISI Associate Members host a memorable Partnership Reception near the West Fountain at The Phoenician.

Click here to see more pictures of the General Meeting.

Metals Initiative Re-Authorization Signed by President Bush

A key objective of the 2008 AISI Public Policy Agenda was realized on May 8 when the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1998 re-authorization, also known as the Metals Initiative, was signed into law by President Bush. The bill authorizes $12 million per year for the next five years to fund advanced metals (steel) research that would lead to more energy-efficient and environmentally-sound manufacturing techniques.

The new legislation, introduced by Rep. Daniel Lipinksi (D-IL), provides for a 70/30 cost-sharing (70 by Department of Energy) for bench and pilot-scale work, making steel industry dollars go farther than the typical 50/50 arrangement. Additionally, it adds research into CO₂ mitigation technologies to the list of research tasks that the Department of Energy may undertake. The legislation will also provide for industry ownership of the developed technology, which is important in getting developed technology to the plant floor as quickly as possible. For more information, contact Chip Foley.

AISI's Andrew G. Sharkey, III Awarded 2008 Gary Memorial Medal at AISI General Meeting

Andrew G. Sharkey, III, is the 2008 recipient of the Gary Memorial Medal, the highest honor given to an individual by the North American steel industry. Sharkey, president and CEO of AISI, was honored at the AISI General Meeting in Scottsdale, Ariz. on May 6, 2008.

In presenting the award, AISI Chairman and Chairman and CEO of Steel Dynamics, Inc., Keith Busse, praised Sharkey for "leading the industry through challenging times, which were followed by a period of tremendous revitalization that produced a vibrant and sustainable North American steel industry."

The medal's inscription reads: "In recognition of his outstanding contribution in steering the AISI through unprecedented changes within our industry and its economic and political environment; His tenacious commitment to maintaining an effective voice for the industry through the most severe financial challenges in its history; His significant contributions to the policy-related initiatives that facilitated the industry's recovery; and His masterful coordination of valuable AISI initiatives through major changes in the ownership and structure of the North American steel industry."

Established in 1927, the Gary Medal is named for Judge Elbert H. Gary, the first president of AISI. The medal recognizes an individual for his or her remarkable lifelong contributions to the North American steel industry. For more information, contact Nancy Gravatt.

Steel Recycling Education Program to be Highlighted at Summer Camps Across the Country

The Steel Recycling Institute (SRI), AutoSteel and ASM International are again working together to provide the SRI's SteelCycles education program to more than 600 students in summer camps in 15 states this summer.

The SteelCycles education program is a standards-based environmental education program spanning grades pre-k through grade 12. This is the second year of this collaboration between the groups, which has nearly doubled in size since last year. All components of SteelCycles have undergone teacher/classroom testing, and the program has been designated "Best in Practice: Environmental Education" by the National Recycling Coalition.

The SteelCycles program is being revamped to be brought into line with No Child Left Behind educational standard requirements and will be re-launched in the fall of 2008. For more information on the program, visit http://www.recycle-steel.org/education.html or contact Jim Woods.

The Capitol Line

AISI's 3rd Annual Environmental Briefing Held on Capitol Hill

AISI held its 3rd Annual Environmental Briefing on Capitol Hill on April 21. Andrew G. Sharkey, III, president and CEO, AISI, briefed Hill staffers and federal agency staff on the industry's environmental leadership and the need for a global sectoral approach.

In addition, keynote speaker Professor H.Y. Sohn, Ph.D. of the University of Utah shared a progress update on efforts to produce iron by Hydrogen Flash Smelting, a research project that is part of the CO₂ Breakthrough Program, funded in part by the AISI and its member companies. This steelmaking process would produce little or no CO₂.

More on the Environmental Briefing

Substandard Chinese Imports are Focus of Steel Caucus Hearing

Congressional Steel Caucus Chairman Pete Visclosky (D-IN)* and Vice-Chairman Phil English (R-PA)* convened a Steel Caucus Hearing in Washington, D.C. on April 30th to further examine the dangers of imported Chinese steel products and explore policy options. Responding to testimony confirming substandard Chinese steel, Visclosky said, "China just doesn't play by the same rules." He added that "we must take positive action to protect ourselves." English urged Congress to take strong and swift action to guarantee imports meet exact ASTM standards because it could save lives.

More on AISI's "China Focus"
* Denotes Steel Caucus Member

American Steel First Act Would Extend "Buy America"

Citing the adverse impact of Chinese pipe being used in the U.S. - Mexico border fence, Reps. Pete Visclosky (D-IN)* and Phil English (R-PA)* introduced the American Steel First Act, which would require federally funded construction projects under the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Transportation to use 100 percent American-made steel products.

The bill expands the successful Buy America Act requirements, which currently only apply to Federal Transportation Administration projects. An important part of the American Steel First Act is that it requires a public comment period for all projects that seek an exemption to the requirements within the bill. This provision would allow the domestic steel industry to verify there is no domestic steel available for the project. "(The bill) will combat unfair steel imports and it will give our steel industry a boost," said Visclosky.

Buy America Coalition statement on H.R. 5935
* Denotes Steel Caucus Member

Check Out AISI's Public Policy Efforts on the Web

AISI's Public Policy Homepage

AISI's Legislative Action Center

For more information on these Web sites, contact David Ziemba.

If you have any questions regarding AISI public policy issues, please feel free to contact any member of the Public Policy Team:

More Stories

House and Senate Pass Farm Bill

The U.S. Congress has passed a new Farm Bill, which has an overall cost of $300 billion. Of that amount, 73.5 percent ($220 billion) is to be spent on nutrition programs, which received the largest increase in the new bill. The Conference Report includes a $10.36 billion increase for nutrition programs over existing law. The bill addresses the Canned Food Alliance's (CFA) top priorities, including additional funding to increase food stamp benefits and the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, and to assist food banks through the Emergency Food Assistance Program. It is believed the House and Senate will have enough votes to override a Presidential veto.

The CFA has successfully educated federal legislators on the importance of including canned food in federal nutrition programs based on nutrition studies that show canned food is comparable to its cooked fresh and frozen counterparts. The passage of the bill and the resulting increase in nutrition program funding have the potential to increase sales of canned food. For more information, contact Rich Tavoletti.

Manufacturing and Technology Continues Committee Integration and Seeks Collaborative R&D

AISI Manufacturing Committees Continue Integration into AIST

The spring meetings of the AISI Manufacturing Committees on Sheet Mill Practice and Tin Mill Practice were held in Pittsburgh, immediately following the Association for Iron and Steel Technology (AIST) conference. The members of AIST committees were invited to these meeting as a part of the committee integration process, which is scheduled to be completed by July 1.

In addition, the AISI committee members attended the AIST committee meetings held during the conference. These joint meetings have helped with the process of integration, with members of both AISI and AIST committees being able to understand each other's requirements.

Research and Development Strategy Workshop Explores Priority Areas

A workshop on research and development strategy was held in Pittsburgh on May 14-15, 2008 to determine the priority areas, in addition to CO₂ Breakthrough Research, for collaborative R & D. A number of presentations were made by experts on sequestration, welding, energy recovery, waste re-use, material properties and energy diversity to representatives of the steel industry and Department of Energy (DOE). The workshop report will be published in June and will identify the priority areas supported by steel companies and DOE. For more information, contact BV Lakshminarayana.

Canned Food Alliance Program Receives Recognition

The Canned Food Alliance's (CFA) "CANdelight Dinner Parties" word-of-mouth program won the Marketing Communications: Business to Consumer Award at the annual Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Pittsburgh Chapter Renaissance Awards ceremony.

In 2007, the CFA's "CANdelight Dinner Parties" showed moms in Chicago how to integrate nutritious canned foods into easy and delicious family-friendly recipes. Recent research shows that moms are giving more consideration to peer-to-peer product endorsements and enjoy social networking. The parties gave moms an opportunity to prepare meals with friends and taste nutritious and convenient dishes prepared with a variety of canned foods, and encouraged participants to share positive experiences with friends and family.

Professional chef and CFA spokesperson Andrew Schloss developed a "CANdelight Dinner" Party Guide to help the hostesses, who were supplied with all the canned food and supplies necessary to prepare each of the recipes provided. The program reached a total of 100,000 moms.

Prior to the parties, 66 percent of participants had a positive perception of canned foods. After the parties, 72 percent of participants had a positive perception of canned foods and reported an increase in the likelihood to buy canned foods. For more information, contact Rich Tavoletti.

Steel Sustainability Featured at Green Day Event in Detroit

AISI recently participated in a half-day conference titled "Embracing a Green Michigan—Carbon Culture at the Crossroads," which was held at Wayne State University in Detroit on April 22 to coincide with the commemoration of Earth Day. The event brought together business leaders to take a hard look at Michigan's role in environmental leadership during the next few years.

Steel Recycling Institute (SRI) President Bill Heenan delivered the introductory remarks, which called attention to steel's infinite recycling possibilities and the industry's focus on sustainability. Ron Krupitzer, AISI's vice president of automotive applications, participated in a panel discussion in collaboration with the University Research Corridor.

The Green Day event concentrated on work that is being done in Michigan to develop new technologies and new thinking about the environment. It included discussion on:

• Public policies needed at the federal, state and local government levels to create a bioeconomy;
• How environmental concerns will change the products we use every day;
• The challenges of changing public behavior and habits to support new energy and environmental technologies;
• Infrastructure changes that will be needed to support environmentally friendly vehicles; and
• The role of climate change on the Great Lakes and the implications for Michigan and the country at large.

As materials competition heats up over the issue of sustainability in the automotive marketplace, AISI and the SRI are actively promoting the safe and sustainable benefits of steel in automobile design.

To listen to Heenan's opening address on WWJ-Radio, visit:

http://www.wwj.com/topic/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=1938238

For more information, contact Deanna Lorincz.

The Steel Recycling Logo - A Sign of Quality and Environmental Awareness

As part of its ongoing efforts to support AISI Market Development initiatives and promote the environmental benefits of steel, the Steel Recycling Institute (SRI) is working directly with manufacturers and steel industry customers to help them to raise awareness of the recyclability of steel.

The SRI actively promotes the Steel Recycling Logo as a symbol of environmental and product quality that reminds consumers that the product is made of steel and is recyclable. This practice has gained mainstream attention with the wave of environmental awareness that is being supported by the SRI.

Recently, the following manufacturers have turned to the SRI to help show their EnviroMetal™:

• Scanavo manufactures and sells SteelBook™ packaging direct to digital media outlets. SteelBook™ is used for packaging digital media, including DVD, HD and Bluray discs from their clients that include Sony, Paramount, Warner, Capcom; software companies; entertainment and tourism marketing firms; sports associations and digital media production companies. Scanovo will now provide the steel recycling logo to each of their clients for use with their media artwork.
• Impervicote produces a wide range of steel counter tops and now provides information about the recycled content and recyclability of their steel products both in their literature and website.
• Tamsco produces Earth-friendly precision hand tools produced from steel and includes the steel recycling logo on the package of every tool in their new Earth-friendly line.
• Thompson Culvert Company manufactures helical corrugated steel pipe and provides information about steel recycling on their website.
• Kama Energy Efficient Building Systems, Inc. is a privately owned Nevada corporation specializing in green building with steel and features the steel recycling logo on their site.
• Johnston Fargo Culvert, Inc., in Fargo, North Dakota, specializes in manufacturing and marketing corrugated metal pipe, for lining systems, guard rails, drainage gates, structural plate pipe, and steel truss and beam bridges. Johnston now prominently features the steel recycling logo on their homepage.
• Slide Products produces steel packaged mould releases, lubricants, cleaners, purging compounds, rust preventives, cutting oils and more, all carefully formulated to help you economically maximize your productivity. Every slide product packaged in steel now features the steel recycling logo, encouraging consumers to recycle their packaging.
• Gentek produces SteelSide steel siding and has an entire section about the environmental benefits of steel in their flagship literature, including the steel recycling logo.
• Tecnocap has an extensive line of lids and closures. Technocap provides details of the recyclability of their lids and closures on their website and includes the steel recycling logo.
• Carey's X-14 foam bathroom cleaner which is packaged in steel aerosol cans now include the steel recycling logo. The company will continue to include the steel recycling logo on its other product lines as the labels are re-designed.
• The National Corrugated Steel Pipe Association is featuring the steel recycling logo on its corrugated steel pipe design manual to remind designers the environmental benefits of steel.

For more information on encouraging your customers to include the steel recycling logo on their steel products, contact Jim Woods.

SFA Provides Direction on Green Building Using Steel at NABH Conference

The Steel Framing Alliance (SFA) delivered a presentation at the National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) 10th annual Green Building Conference in New Orleans on May 13, 2008, to help builders and designers receive the maximum advantage from steel framing and the new proposed National Green Building Standard™. "Going Green With Steel Framing" also marked the first time that the SFA provided guidance at the Green Building Conference on how to successfully incorporate green building requirements into construction projects using cold-formed steel.

In an hour-long session, SFA presenters walked attendees through some of the latest advances in design for sustainable projects that are resistant to mold, insects, and off-gassing. The presentation also covered effective ways to meet energy codes using durable, readily available products without breaking the bank.

Builders continue to face increasingly challenging and rigid design requirements, and the SFA presentation demonstrated that there are more options available to them than traditional building materials. Sustainable steel framing can also successfully meet the many environmental challenges unique to the Gulf Coast.

"There's no question that the Gulf Coast region has to build back safe structures that are capable of withstanding whatever nature throws at us," said Maribeth Rizzuto, SFA's director of training and education. "And what better way to achieve this than to rebuild with a durable product like cold-formed steel that does not contribute fuel to a fire, won't get eaten by termites, does not provide a food source for mold, and can be designed to endure winds exceeding 150 miles per hour." For more information about the SFA's sustainable construction initiatives, contact Maribeth Rizzuto.

Fillion, Fisher Receive 2008 Market Development Industry Leadership Award

The 2008 Market Development Industry Leadership Award was presented to John Fillion and James Fisher by AISI Chairman of the Board Keith Busse, chairman and CEO, Steel Dynamics, Inc., at the AISI General Meeting on May 6, 2008. The award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions in advancing the competitive use of steel in the marketplace as a direct result of AISI Market Development initiatives in the automotive, construction and container markets.

Fillion, retired from Chrysler LLC as senior manager of materials engineering, was a member of the Auto/Steel Partnership's Strategic Planning and Review Committee (SPARC), where he helped guide the lightweighting and enabler technology projects of the partnership. He opened up doors in the automotive research community and at Chrysler for innovative steel solutions by convincing representatives at the U.S. Automotive Materials Partnership (USAMP) and the U.S. Department of Energy to expand their lightweight design research effort to include funding for new steels. The USAMP support of steel development has averaged about $2 million per year since 2001. This steel research has revolutionized automotive design at Chrysler and other automotive companies. Today, advanced high-strength steels are the fastest-growing materials in automotive design.

Fisher is a vice president at Computerized Structural Design, S.C. in Milwaukee. In the diversified construction market, he is recognized industry-wide for his expertise in advancing the design of cold-formed steel structures in the marketplace. He is an authority on the performance of structures and the design of heavy industrial structures, metal building systems, and light-gauge steel structures. His contributions include co-authoring several AISI design guides and leading industry research projects that have advanced the competitive use of sustainable steel framing and design practices nationwide. He has participated on the AISI Committee on Specifications since the 1970s and is currently a member of its Executive Subcommittee.

"These individuals have demonstrated outstanding commitment and leadership in implementing the objectives of AISI Market Development programs in the marketplace and within their companies," said David C. Jeanes, AISI senior vice president of market development. "We have long recognized and credited the critical role that customer partnerships play in the success of our programs. Customer involvement is essential to the timely implementation of new steel products and design technologies. This leadership award provides an opportunity to give special industry recognition to our customer partners." For more information, contact Debbie Bennett.

2008 Richard S. Fountain Award Presented to William J. Wright

AISI's Steel Bridge Task Force and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Technical Committee for Structural Steel Design have named William J. Wright, Ph.D., P.E. of the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center in McLean, Virginia, as the winner of the 2008 Richard S. Fountain Award. The award is named for the founder of the AISI Steel Bridge Task Force.

The award, established in 2001, is presented annually to recognize leadership in steel bridge research and outstanding efforts to advance AASHTO specifications. Dr. Wright was selected for his contributions to the steel bridge industry through structural research, technical guidance and design code development, as well as his contributions to the introduction of high-performance steels, the 'Unified Approach,' and fatigue and fracture concepts in the design of steel highway bridges.

Wright is Team Leader for Bridge Design and Construction Research, Office of Infrastructure R&D at the FHWA's Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center. He has 21 years of steel bridge research experience and has worked on several failure investigations involving bridge collapse. He is a key technical expert on issues related to the design, fabrication, construction and inspection of structural steel for highways.

AISI's Steel Bridge Task Force was formed to coordinate research that establishes safe, cost-effective steel bridges and to implement these developments into steel bridge design codes. Its members include steel producers, steel fabricators, the AASHTO Technical Committee for Structural Steel Design, university faculty, consultants and representatives from the FHWA and National Steel Bridge Alliance. For more information, contact Dan Snyder.

Steel Recycling Education Program to be Highlighted at Summer Camps Across the Country

The Steel Recycling Institute (SRI), AutoSteel and ASM International are again working together to provide the SRI's SteelCycles education program to more than 600 students in summer camps in 15 states this summer.

The SteelCycles education program is a standards-based environmental education program spanning grades pre-k through grade 12. This is the second year of this collaboration between the groups, which has nearly doubled in size since last year. All components of SteelCycles have undergone teacher/classroom testing, and the program has been designated "Best in Practice: Environmental Education" by the National Recycling Coalition.

The SteelCycles program is being revamped to be brought into line with No Child Left Behind educational standard requirements and will be re-launched in the fall of 2008. For more information on the program, visit http://www.recycle-steel.org/education.html or contact Jim Woods.

Jim Schultz Retires as Vice President, Environment and Energy

James Schultz, vice president, energy and environment, for AISI's government relations department, has retired from the Institute after seven years of service.

During his tenure with AISI, Schultz helped lead AISI's efforts to position steel as a sustainable industry, committed to lightening our environmental footprint. This included collecting data to measure steel's progress against various benchmarks and to show the many environmental advantages that steel offers over those of competing materials. He also represented AISI in coordination with important initiatives, such as the Asia Pacific Partnership, the International Iron and Steel Institute's work on climate change, the Climate VISION Program and the National Mercury Switch Removal Program.

"Above all, we recognize Jim Schultz as a man of character, who conducts himself with the highest level of integrity, both personally and professionally," said Andrew G. Sharkey, III, president and CEO, AISI. "I appreciate Jim's dedicated service to AISI and wish him the very best in his new responsibilities."

Schultz has accepted a position with the Council on Environmental Quality, beginning Monday, May 19.

Lawrence Kavanagh, who has served for the past 12 years as AISI vice president, manufacturing and technology, has been appointed to a new position as AISI vice president, environment and technology.

In this position, Kavanagh will be AISI's point for climate change, an issue that will dominate the public policy agenda for a long time to come. In this role, he will also represent AISI on the Asia Pacific Partnership and with the International Iron and Steel Institute's climate change and related environmental initiatives.

All of us at AISI wish Jim and his wife, Jeannie, all the best!