AK Steel has appointed John J. Kuzman Jr., 51, Chief Compliance Officer, and Roger K. Newport, 39, Chief Accounting Officer, both new officer posts for the corporation.

In addition to their new responsibilities, Mr. Kuzman was also named Assistant General Counsel and Mr. Newport continues as the corporation's Controller.

"John Kuzman and Roger Newport have provided years of distinguished service to AK Steel, and we are fortunate to have them accept the additional responsibility of these important new officer functions," said James L. Wainscott, President and CEO.

Mr. Kuzman joined AK Steel in 1996 as litigation counsel. Prior to AK Steel, he was a partner in the Warren, Ohio, firm of Keating, Keating and Kuzman. He also served as an Assistant City Law Director and Prosecutor for the city of Girard, Ohio, and was Bailiff for the Trumbull County (Ohio) Court of Common Pleas. Prior to his career in law, Mr. Kuzman was an electrical engineer and served in various positions with Automatic Sprinkler Corp., General American Transportation Corp. and U. S. Steel Corp. Mr. Kuzman graduated magna cum laude from Youngstown State University with a Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. He holds a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Akron School of Law.

Mr. Newport joined AK Steel in 1985 and advanced through various finance positions, including Controlling, Property Accounting, Internal Auditing and Financial Planning and Analysis. He was named Senior Auditor in 1993 and Assistant Treasurer in 1999. In 2001, he was named Controller, with responsibility for cost, general, property and employee benefit accounting, payroll and external reporting, in addition to financial planning and analysis. Mr. Newport holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting from the University of Cincinnati and is a member of Financial Executives International.

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