Effectively immediately, Kevin Dempsey will take on the role as president and chief executive, succeeding Thomas J. Gibson, who announced his retirement in March. Dempsey has served as AISI’s senior vice president for public policy and general counsel since 2009. 

Also, the organization elected ArcelorMittal USA chief executive John Brett as chairman. Brett had been serving as the interim chairman following the retirement of Roger K. Newport this spring. 

“I am grateful to my fellow board members for supporting me in this role to lead the institute during this important period in our history. I am encouraged by the progress made in the past year, and I look forward to working with my board colleagues to ensure steel remains competitive and to highlight our priority issues with policy makers and customers," he said.

He also said strong expertise and continuity are, at the moment, critical for AISI. Dempsey will bring both to his new executive role, Brett said. 

“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,” Brett said. 

Before joining AISI, Dempsey was a partner at the international law firm Dewey & LeBoeuf and its predecessor, Dewey Ballantine LLP. While in private practice, he litigated numerous international trade cases on behalf of U.S. steel producers and other U.S. industries before the U.S. International Trade Commission, the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the U.S. courts.

“I am honored that the AISI board has entrusted me with this position and am grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the steel industry with the same passion and robust advocacy for which AISI is known,” Dempsey said. 

“Tom Gibson’s leadership has been a tremendous asset to the industry and I appreciate his support in ensuring a seamless transition for the North American steel industry’s voice in Washington.”