Steel Products
AISI Welcomes New Leadership
Written by Sandy Williams
June 23, 2020
The American Iron and Steel Institute welcomed two new leaders today. The AISI Board of Directors has elected John Brett, president and CEO of ArcelorMittal USA, as chairman for the 2020-2021 term. Brett has been serving as interim chairman since the retirement of Roger Newport, former CEO of AK Steel.
“With more than 30 years of work in the steel industry, John Brett is one of the industry’s most respected and influential leaders. He is a dedicated advocate for North American steel and I am confident that, under his leadership, AISI will continue to see tremendous advocacy successes on behalf of our members,” said Thomas J. Gibson, president and CEO of AISI.
Gibson retires this week and the board has named Kevin Dempsey interim president as his successor. Dempsey, who has served as AISI’s senior vice president for public policy and general counsel since 2009, will assume the role immediately. Gibson will serve as an advisor to AISI during the transition. The board also recommended that AISI suspend the search process.
“It is critical for AISI to have strong expertise and continuity at this time. Not only is the steel industry confronted with the COVID-19 crisis, but we continue to face challenges from market distorting policies and practices that have fueled the massive and growing global excess capacity in steel, from China and elsewhere. Kevin Dempsey has been at the forefront of the industry’s advocacy on this for many years, and the member companies of AISI agree that he is the leader that AISI needs at this crucial time,” said new Chairman John Brett.
The board also thanked Gibson for his 12 years of service to the steel industry. Gibson’s accomplishments include the enactment of legislation to strengthen trade laws for the first time in a generation, successful passage of transportation and infrastructure bills to benefit the steel industry, and a balanced approach to energy and environmental regulations that does not diminish manufacturing competitiveness and capitalizes 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 work for steel industry concerns in Washington and beyond. These are critical times and this is a critical role. I am confident that the selection of Kevin Dempsey as interim president and CEO will ensure AISI continues its strong, successful and robust advocacy on behalf of the steel industry, our workers and our partners.”
Sandy Williams
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