March 22, 2006 — Mittal Steel USA announced that Louis L. Schorsch, the company’s President and CEO, will become Chairman of the American Iron and Steel Institute April 1. AISI’s board of directors chose Schorsch to succeed John Surma, President and CEO of U. S. Steel Corp.

"AISI is committed to the development of a sustainable North American steel industry, one built on strong financial performance, environmental solutions and progressive social contributions," said Andrew G. Sharkey, III, President and CEO of AISI. "Lou brings excellent leadership skills to this effort as a revitalized industry seeks to expand markets for North American steel and increase the North American share of the steel market."

As Chairman, Mr. Schorsch will support the role that AISI provides in driving initiatives that are best done through the collective focus of a strong trade association. One is the Gulf Coast Steel Initiative, an effort announced Feb. 16 on behalf of 12 North American steel companies to help rebuild the U.S. Gulf Coast region in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

The joint Initiative's goal is to "rebuild stronger with steel," and Mittal Steel USA is playing an active role in the initiative.

Mittal Steel USA, with its affiliates, is the largest steel producer in North America and the largest integrated steel producer in the United States. It serves a broad U.S. manufacturing base. The company was formed in April 2005 and consists of the former Ispat Inland Inc. and the former International Steel Group. It has operations in 12 states of the United States. Mittal Steel USA is a division of Mittal Steel Co.

Mittal Steel Co. is the world's largest and most global steel company, with operations in 16 countries, on four continents. Mittal Steel encompasses all aspects of modern steelmaking, to produce a comprehensive portfolio of both flat and long steel products to meet a wide range of customer needs. It serves all the major steel consuming sectors, including automotive, appliance, machinery and construction. For 2005, Mittal Steel had revenues of US $28.1 billion and steel shipments of 49.2 million tonnes.

AISI is a non-profit association of North American companies engaged in the iron and steel industry. The Institute serves as the voice of the North American steel industry, speaking out on behalf of its members in the public policy arena and advancing 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 33 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and 118 associate and affiliate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry.