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Harrison Selected to Head Communications for AISI, Gravatt Moving to Mining Sector

12/14/2012 - The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) announced the appointment of Lisa Harrison, as senior vice president, communications, of AISI. Harrison succeeds Nancy Gravatt, who has been appointed senior vice president, communications, for the National Mining Association.

The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) announced the appointment of Lisa Harrison, as senior vice president, communications, of AISI. Harrison, formerly vice president of communications at the American Chemistry Council (ACC) and currently a senior Strategic Communications Consultant at Hillmer, Inc., will assume her new responsibilities on 14 January 2013.
Harrison succeeds Nancy Gravatt, who has been appointed senior vice president, communications, for the National Mining Association. This follows a 15-year career with AISI, during which she launched and oversaw the award-winning New Steel Campaign and guided AISI’s strategic communications program, which helped to rebrand the sector as a globally competitive, hi-tech industry that is committed to a sustainable future. 
“We wish Nancy well in her new leadership role and appreciate her service to AISI,” Thomas J. Gibson, AISI president and CEO, said.
“With Lisa’s arrival, I am delighted at this excellent addition to the AISI team” Gibson said. “Lisa will be bringing her 26 years of Hill, Executive Branch, political campaign and trade association communications expertise to our team and a proven track record at advancing the strategic goals of manufacturing industries.”
For five years, Harrison served as vice president of communications at the ACC, where she ran the communications and public affairs department and was responsible for a $25 million advertising and advocacy campaign to educate target audiences and stakeholders about the chemical industry and its products. She managed the crisis, advocacy, digital and strategic communications of the association in addition to member communications marketing and the media relations operation.
Harrison served as a presidential appointee at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) where she was the Acting Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, responsible for the communications for the 17,500-employee agency and media relations for then-Administrator Governor Christie Whitman. She also received a presidential appointment at the National Park Service where she was the Director of Communications/Special Assistant to the Director for the national park system, handling crisis communications, speechwriting and media strategy.
For 19 years, Harrison served as Director of Communications and Deputy Chief of Staff for former Senator (previously Congressman) Bob Smith (R-NH), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Harrison served as chief spokesperson, communications advisor and media strategist for the Senator’s local, national and international communications initiatives.
At Hillmer, Inc., a strategic communications firm, Harrison’s clients have ranged from the U.S. Marine Corps, to the USDA Women, Infants and Children program, to commercial clients in the security and manufacturing industries. Her work has included development and implementation of stakeholder outreach programs and tactics, online media, policy and program launches, spokesperson training, messaging, media relations, branding, public relations and strategic communications planning and counsel.
A veteran campaigner, Lisa has managed communications and political strategy for seven statewide or national political campaigns.
AISI serves as the voice of the North American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI also plays a lead role in the development and application of new steels and steelmaking technology. AISI is comprised of 25 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and 125 associate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry. AISI's member companies represent approximately over three quarters of both U.S. and North American steel capacity.