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U.S. Steel Chairman Named to Trade Advisory Committee

09/21/2010 - United States Steel Chairman and CEO John P. Surma has been appointed by President Obama to a two-year term on the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations.

United States Steel Corp. Chairman and CEO John P. Surma has been appointed by President Obama to the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations (ACTPN). Appointed for two years, ACTPN members represent a broad range of key economic sectors and will provide guidance on trade policy issues affecting the nation.
 
Surma, a past Chairman of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), is the third AISI leader appointed to serve an advisory role to the Obama Administration. Two other AISI leaders were appointed to serve in advisory posts to the United States Manufacturing Council by U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke: Nucor Chairman, President and CEO Daniel R. DiMicco, who also is the Chairman of AISI, and The Timken Co. Chairman Ward J. “Tim” Timken, who is a former AISI Chairman.
 
As part of the 24-member advisory council, DiMicco and Timken will help to advise the U.S. Commerce Secretary on matters relating to manufacturing sector competitiveness and government policies / programs that impact U.S. manufacturers.
 
 “Trade policy is an essential component that will shape our nation’s economic outlook, so we are pleased at John Surma’s appointment by the President to ACTPN,” said AISI President and CEO Thomas J. Gibson. “John’s business experience and understanding of trade policy’s impact on U.S. competitiveness will make him a valuable source of counsel to the committee.”
 
“It is also gratifying that Dan DiMicco and Tim Timken were appointed to and are serving on the U.S. Manufacturing Council,” Gibson said, “which indicates the Administration recognizes their valuable expertise toward advancing the competitiveness of America’s manufacturing sector.”  
 
Among other leadership posts, Surma is a member of AISI’s board of directors and previously served as the organization’s Chairman and Vice Chairman. He also serves as Vice Chairman of the World Steel Association’s board of directors, and served as that organization’s Chairman from 2006 through 2007.    Surma is also a current member of both the National Petroleum Council and The Business Council. He is also a member of the board of directors and executive committee of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development and serves as the organization’s current chairman.
 
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. The Institute comprises 23 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and 138 associate and affiliate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry.