In a statement, the board said Dempsey’s appointment took effect this week. 

“Kevin Dempsey has been a driving force for the steel industry’s advocacy on our key priorities for many years. At a time when we are challenged not only by the global pandemic but by unfair trade practices and massive global steel overcapacity, the AISI member companies have the utmost confidence in Kevin’s leadership and expertise,” said AISI chairman John Brett, president and chief executive of ArcelorMittal USA.

Dempsey has been serving as AISI interim president and chief executive since June, when he was appointed to succeed Thomas J. Gibson, who retired. Prior to that appointment, Dempsey served as AISI’s senior vice president for public policy and general counsel, a position he had held since 2009.

“I am honored and privileged at this opportunity to continue serving the American steel industry,” Dempsey said in a statement.

“The industry is a cornerstone of our economy, the backbone of America’s manufacturing sector, critical to our national security, and the cleanest and most energy efficient of the leading steel-producing industries in the world. I look forward to working with our member companies and partners to continue this momentum,” he said.