AK Steel announced that Thomas F. McKenna, 59, has joined the company as Vice President—Labor Relations. In this role, Mr. McKenna will be responsible for the company's labor relations functions and its union-management relationships.

Mr. McKenna’s career spans both the public and private sectors, including the steel industry. Most recently, he was Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy for former Indiana governor Joseph E. Kernan. He held several other positions with the State of Indiana, including Chief of Staff for the Office of Lieutenant Governor, Executive Director, Indiana Department of Commerce, where he also oversaw the Indiana Steel Advisory Commission, and was a member of the Indiana Parole Board.

Prior to his public service, Mr. McKenna was Managing Partner of the law firm Bamberger & Feibleman, and operated his own human resource consulting firm. From 1979 to 1984, he served as Director of Human Resources for the Midwest Steel Division of the former National Steel Corp. At Midwest Steel, he designed and implemented numerous employee involvement and cost improvement initiatives.

"Tom McKenna is an outstanding addition to the executive management team of AK Steel," said James L. Wainscott, President and CEO of AK Steel. "Tom's integrity, boundless energy and unique perspective will serve our company well in this extremely important role."

Mr. McKenna holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, and a Juris Doctorate degree, both from the University of Notre Dame.

Headquartered in Middletown, Ohio, AK Steel produces flat-rolled carbon, stainless and electrical steel products for automotive, appliance, construction and manufacturing markets, as well as tubular steel products.