Gerdau Ameristeel Corp. announced that Robert E. Lewis has joined Gerdau Ameristeel as Vice President and General Counsel. Mr. Lewis will also serve as Corporate Secretary for the company’s Board of Directors.

In his new role, Mr. Lewis will be Gerdau Ameristeel’s Chief Legal Officer, responsible for management of all legal matters. In his role as Corporate Secretary for the Board of Directors, he will be responsible for maintenance of all corporate records, including the shareholders’ register, register of directors and officers, the articles of incorporation, and all statutory filings. His appointment was effective on January 31.

Phillip E. Casey, President and CEO of Gerdau Ameristeel commented, “Mr. Lewis’ extensive merger and acquisition experience and skill managing large legal transactions will be valuable for Gerdau Ameristeel’s continued growth and integration efforts.”

Mr. Lewis, 44, has 20 years of legal experience, most recently as Senior Vice President/General Counsel and Secretary for Eckerd Corp. He was formerly an attorney and shareholder with the Tampa law firm Shackleford, Farrior, Stallings, & Evans, P.A.

A 1982 graduate in accounting from the University of Florida, Mr. Lewis also earned his law degree with honors from the University in 1985. He has been a member of the Florida Bar and American Bar Association since 1985.

Gerdau Ameristeel is the second largest minimill steel producer in North America with annual manufacturing capacity of over 8.4 million tons of mill finished steel products. Through its vertically integrated network of 15 minimills (including one 50%-owned minimill), 16 scrap recycling facilities, and 42 downstream operations (including two 50%-owned joint ventures), Gerdau Ameristeel primarily serves customers in the eastern two-thirds of North America.