The Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI), a business unit of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), announced today that Daniel G. Mull, executive vice president of sales and marketing at ArcelorMittal USA, has been named to replace J. James Kutka, Jr. as chairman of the SMDI Board of Directors effective April 1, 2009. Kutka, senior vice president-strategic planning and business development at United States Steel Corporation, will be retiring from United States Steel Corporation on the same day.
"We welcome Dan as the new SMDI Chairman and thank Jim for his leadership of AISI’s Market Development program over the past four years,” Thomas Gibson, AISI President and CEO, said in announcing the change.
Kutka was appointed the first chairman of the SMDI Board of Directors in September 2008, when the organization was established by AISI. The SMDI, formerly known as the AISI Market Development Committee, has a mission “to advance the competitive use of steel through a market-driven strategy that promotes cost-effective, steel-based solutions.” Mull will take on the SMDI chairmanship as the organization initiates a strategic planning process to address program direction over the next five years. The SMDI is uniquely supported by seven leading steel producer members.
“Jim Kutka provided the strategic direction and leadership that SMDI needed to evolve from a standing committee to a business unit of AISI,” David C. Jeanes, P.E., president of the Steel Market Development Institute, said. “Employing his clear-cut approach, he guided us through this critical transition period in our organization. We appreciate all that Jim has done to advance AISI’s market development goals. We wish Jim and his family all the best in his retirement.
“We also welcome the experience and expertise that Dan Mull will bring to SMDI as Chairman of the Board,” Jeanes said. “Dan has been involved with our market development programs for a number of years. He brings a background in a broad range of steel-consuming industries, including automotive, construction, appliance and energy. We look forward to working with Dan in advancing competitive solutions for the challenges facing our customers in the marketplace.”
Jeanes added that Richard M. Efkeman, vice president-worldwide marketing for United States Steel Corporation, has been named to replace Jim Kutka on the SMDI Board of Directors. “We look forward to having Rick join the SMDI board,” he said. “He has been a valued participant in several AISI Market Development programs over the years.”
Other members of the SMDI Board of Directors include:
Richard Blume Nucor Corporation
Bradley Davey ArcelorMittal Dofasco
Charles Mattia SSAB North American Division
Christopher McCarthy Severstal North America, Inc.
Daniel Mull ArcelorMittal USA
Craig Peterson USS-POSCO Industries
David Jeanes Steel Market Development Institute
Daniel G. Mull was named executive vice president of sales & marketing at Mittal Steel USA, now ArcelorMittal USA, in September 2006. He had been vice president, marketing since April 2005. He joined the company in 2003 as director of end user sales for Ispat Inland Inc. Mull’s prior experience included a 30-year career at Bethlehem Steel Corporation, where he held various management positions, leading up to and including chief commercial officer.
The Steel Market Development Institute, a business unit of AISI, is actively engaged in directing the industry’s investment to advance the use of steel through market-driven strategies that promote cost-effective solutions in the marketplace. The SMDI focuses primarily on the automotive, construction and container markets, as well as on new growth opportunities in non-traditional steel markets. The SMDI is comprised of seven member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers: ArcelorMittal Dofasco, ArcelorMittal USA, Nucor Corporation, Severstal North America, Inc., SSAB North American Division, United States Steel Corporation, and USS-POSCO Industries.
