AISI Appoints Gibson President and CEO

AISI has announced the selection of Thomas J. Gibson as the association's president and chief executive officer, effective September 1. Currently senior vice president of Advocacy for the American Chemistry Council (ACC), Gibson will succeed AISI President and CEO Andrew G. Sharkey, III, who has announced his retirement after leading the Institute over the past 15 years and following a distinguished 30-year career leading steel-related trade associations.

"Tom brings an impressive record of achievement in government service and industry advocacy that will equip him to lead a strong, policy-focused AISI going forward," said Keith Busse, chairman, AISI Board of Directors and chairman and CEO of Steel Dynamics, Inc., in a letter to AISI's Board of Directors. "With his leadership experience at ACC and as the top government affairs officer for the Portland Cement Association, Tom will effectively spearhead AISI's advocacy efforts on critical policy issues, such as access to affordable energy, climate change, trade and pro-manufacturing policies."

"I am proud to be joining the institute at this critical time and appreciate the opportunity to build on Andy's record of accomplishment. The North American steel industry has a tremendous record of innovation and achievement. I look forward to bringing that story to decision makers at all levels of government as we advance our advocacy agenda," Gibson said.

Over his years at ACC and Portland Cement Association - which, like AISI, both represent energy-intensive member companies—Gibson has established a track record of achieving legislative objectives working with both Democrats and Republicans. At ACC, he led the chemical industry's global, federal and state advocacy efforts and has represented the association before government and media. At PCA, he led efforts to increase the cement industry's visibility and clout in Washington, including spearheading industry efforts on climate change and successfully advocating for the cement industry's inclusion in the Asia Pacific Partnership.

Gibson is a United States Naval Academy graduate with a masters degree from the University of Rhode Island and a juris doctorate from Georgetown University Law Center. He resides in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife Sheila. They have two college-age children. For more information, contact Nancy Gravatt.