GOVERNOR TAFT APPROVES OHIO STEEL COUNCIL MEMBERS


COLUMBUS, Ohio (May 2 , 2005) –  Ohio Governor Bob Taft has approved new and current members to the Ohio Steel Council.

William A. Brake, executive vice president, eastern operations, Mittal Steel USA, Richfield, Ohio, will be co-chair of the Council, pending a vote by the Council at its May 4 meeting in Columbus. He will serve with co-chair Bruce E. Johnson, director of the Ohio Department of Development.

Previously, Brake served as the vice president and general manager of ISG Cleveland. Before joining ISG in 2002, he served as manager of LTV Steel Corp.'s hot strip mill in Cleveland.

Johnson is Ohio's lieutenant governor, as well as director for the Ohio Department of Development, a position he has held since 2001. Prior to becoming development director, Johnson served as a member of the Ohio Senate from 1994 to 2001.

David L. Caldwell serves as the political and legislative coordinator for Ohio and as a sub-district director for the United Steelworkers of America. A member of the USWA since 1970, he joined the USWA staff in 1995.

Joseph F. Lapinsky serves as president and chief executive officer for Republic Engineered Products, Inc., Fairlawn, Ohio. Beginning his steel industry career in 1973, Lapinsky previously served as president and chief executive officer at Republic Technologies International, the predecessor to the current company.

Roger Lindgren is the president and chief executive officer of V&M STAR , Youngstown, Ohio, a position he has held since 2003. Before his tenure at V&M Star, he served as president of VAM PTS, a V&M company in Houston, Texas, that manufactures premium threads for oil country tubular goods.

David R. McCall is the District 1 director of United Steelworkers of America, Columbus, Ohio, a position he has held since 1999. A member of the USWA since 1970, he joined the USWA international staff in 1986 and most recently served as the sub-district director and assistant director for USWA District 7.

Alan H. McCoy serves as vice president of government and public relations for AK Steel Corp., Middletown, Ohio. Beginning his steel career in 1976, McCoy previously served as the vice president of public affairs for AK Steel.

Mark P. Morelli is the vice president of operations for Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corp., Wheeling, W.Va., with Ohio operations in Martins Ferry, Mingo Junction, Steubenville and Yorkville.

Patrick G. Tatom is the president and chief executive officer of WCI Steel, Inc., Warren, Ohio. Tatom has been with WCI since its inception in 1988, most recently as its executive vice president and chief operating officer. Before coming to WCI, he worked for 13 years at the former LTV Steel Corp. in various sales and marketing management positions.

W.J. Timken, Jr., serves as the president of steel operations at The Timken Company, Canton, Ohio. Timken has been with The Timken Company since 1992, most recently as the corporate vice president of the office of the chairman. He was elected to the Timken Board of Directors in 2002.

Scott M. Dorn's appointment to the Council is pending the governor's approval. Dorn serves as the manager of the Lorain Tubular Operations, U.S. Steel Corp., Lorain, Ohio. Dorn began his U.S. Steel career in 1986, where he last served as its manager of business development.

A member of the Ohio House and Ohio Senate will also sit on the Ohio Steel Council, but these appointments are pending. In addition, two representatives from the Ohio Board of Regents will be added upon nomination and approval.