Steel Institute CEO to Retire

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) today announced that Thomas J. Gibson, president and CEO, will retire in the fall of this year. A search for his successor will begin immediately.

Gibson has led AISI since September 2008. Under his leadership, the Institute successfully advocated for once in a generation legislation to strengthen the trade laws against unfair trade practices and level the playing field for steel manufacturers, for successful passage of transportation and infrastructure bills to benefit the steel industry, and for a balanced approach to energy and environmental regulations that do not diminish manufacturing competitiveness and capitalize on the natural gas renaissance in the U.S.

Gibson said, “It has been an honor every day to represent the dedicated companies that produce steel in the United States and North America, and to serve as an advocate for steel industry concerns in Washington and beyond. While I am looking forward to an active retirement, I will certainly miss the talented and dedicated team at AISI and look forward to hearing about AISI’s continued future innovations and successes on behalf of the industry.”

Prior to joining AISI, Gibson served as Senior Vice President of Advocacy for the American Chemistry Council. Previously, Gibson served as the Senior Vice President, Government Affairs for the Portland Cement Association, Chief of Staff for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Majority Deputy Staff Director to the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Prior to his civilian government service, he worked as an engineer and program manager at the Raytheon Company, and served on active duty at sea as a Surface Warfare Officer in the U.S. Navy.

“Tom effectively spearheaded AISI’s advocacy efforts on critical policy issues through challenging times, starting with the financial crisis of 2008 and through the era of repeated import surges fueled by the global overcapacity crisis. His contributions brought AISI to the forefront of the debate on these issues and solidified the Institute’s role as a premier trade association. He will be missed, and we wish him all the best,” said AISI Chairman of the Board, Roger Newport of AK Steel, adding, “A search committee has already been appointed and we have retained Korn Ferry® to assist the committee in the search for a permanent successor.”

####

Contact: Lisa Harrison
202.452.7115 / lharrison@www.steel.org

AISI serves as the voice of the North American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI also plays a lead role in the development and application of new steels and steelmaking technology. AISI’s membership is comprised of integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and associate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry. For more news about steel and its applications, view AISI’s website at www.steel.org. Follow AISI on Facebook or Twitter (@AISISteel).