U. S. Steel Canada Appoints General Counsel, Manager of Government and Public Affairs
03/28/2008 - U. S. Steel Canada announces the appointment of Thomas Ferns as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, as well as the appointment of Trevor Harris as Manager—Government and Public Affairs.
U. S. Steel Canada Inc. announced the appointment of Thomas Ferns as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, as well as the appointment of Trevor Harris as Manager—Government and Public Affairs.
"Tom brings extensive expertise to this position. His knowledge of the law and the challenges facing the steel industry in Canada will be a tremendous asset for U. S. Steel Canada," said Douglas R. Matthews, President and General Manager of U. S. Steel Canada.
Prior to joining U. S. Steel Canada, Ferns held senior management positions both in law and in communications and public affairs. Called to the Ontario Bar in 1997, he has also practiced corporate law with a major Canadian law firm. Ferns graduated from Queen's University in 1990 with a bachelor's degree in history. He earned a master's degree in Canadian history and later a law degree from the University of Toronto.
In his new position, Harris will oversee public affairs and manage the U. S. Steel Canada's governmental affairs program at the federal, provincial and local levels.
"Trevor brings extensive government and public affairs experience to this position as well as in-depth knowledge of local, provincial and federal issues," said Matthews. "Under his leadership, we look forward to working with government agencies and elected officials and positioning U. S. Steel Canada as a leading voice at Queen's Park and on Parliament Hill. Trevor will also help U. S. Steel Canada establish itself as an important partner in both the Hamilton and Nanticoke communities."
Prior to joining U. S. Steel Canada, Harris was a partner in a public affairs firm. His previous experience includes tenures as Deputy Director of Research and Policy in the office of the Premier of Ontario and Leader of the Ontario PC Party; Senior Policy Advisor to an Ontario cabinet minister; and Chief of Staff to a federal Member of Parliament. Harris also spent time in the public affairs branch of the Canadian Consulate in Buffalo, N.Y., and as an account manager in the marketing industry.
Harris graduated from Brock University in 1998 with a bachelor's degree in political science.
United States Steel Corp. is an integrated steel producer focused on high-value-added steel sheet and tubular products with complex chemistries and attributes that are required by manufacturers in the automotive, appliance, construction, container, and oil and gas industries. U. S. Steel has major production operations in the United States, Canada, and Central Europe and has more than 49,000 employees worldwide, including approximately 3500 in facilities in Hamilton and Nanticoke, Ont.
