AK Steel announced that James L. Wainscott, who has served as President and CEO since October of 2003 and Chairman of the Board since January of 2006, has announced his intention to retire as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2016. He will continue to serve as Executive Chairman, President and CEO of the company until his retirement on January 1, 2016, after which he will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors in a Non-Executive capacity. Related to this change, the AK Steel Board announced that Roger K. Newport is appointed Chief Executive Officer and a Member of the Board of Directors; Kirk W. Reich is appointed President and Chief Operating Officer reporting to Roger Newport; and, James L. Wainscott will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Before joining AK Steel, Mr. Wainscott held a number of executive level positions with National Steel Corporation, and was elected Treasurer and Assistant Secretary of National Steel in 1993. In addition to his leadership of AK Steel, he serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Parker-Hannifin Corporation. Mr. Newport was named Vice President, Business Planning and Development in 2010, and Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer in 2012.

He was named Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer in 2014, and Executive Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer in 2015. Mr. Reich was named General Manager, Mansfield Works in 2000, General Manager, Middletown Works in 2006, Vice President, Specialty Steel Operations in 2010 and Vice President, Procurement and Supply Chain Management in 2012. He was named Senior Vice President, Manufacturing in 2014, and Executive Vice President, Manufacturing in 2015.

Mr. Reich is a member of the Board of Directors of the Atrium Medical Center Foundation.