WEST CHESTER, OH--(Marketwired - May 20, 2016) -  AK Steel (NYSE: AKS) Chairman of the Board of Directors James L. Wainscott was recognized by the Cincinnati chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) as the recipient of its prestigious 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was presented to Mr. Wainscott on May 18 at the 17^th Annual Deal Maker of the Year Awards for his accomplishments during more than 12 years leading AK Steel, including the company's 2014 acquisition of its Dearborn Works steelmaking business, and its focus on innovation.

"Jim Wainscott continues to set the bar as a Deal Maker. For nearly 40 years, his finely-honed business instincts have left an indelible mark on our community and the steel industry, while leading AK Steel as a strong competitor," said Natalie Galbato, of Grant Thornton and 2015-16 ACG President.

Mr. Wainscott joins a prestigious and select group of business leaders honored since 2000 for their pursuit of corporate growth via mergers and acquisitions, and efforts that drive continued growth and vitality of the region's business community.

"I am honored to be recognized by ACG for my work and contributions to AK Steel and Greater Cincinnati," said James L. Wainscott, Chairman of the Board of Directors of AK Steel. "AK Steel is proud to have called the region home for more than 100 years. I'm pleased to have been part of important work at the company to continue to drive innovation in steel making, and bring growth to the region to help make our community a better place to work and live," said Wainscott.

Mr. Wainscott joined AK Steel as Vice President and Treasurer in 1995. He was named Chief Financial Officer in 1997, President, CEO and a member of the Board of Directors in 2003, and Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2006. 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. 

He is a former Chairman of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) and past Chair of the Steel Market Development Institute. He has received AISI's highest honor, the Gary Memorial Medal, for his life-long contributions to the North American steel industry. Mr. Wainscott is a former member of the Board of Trustees of Xavier University, and the Board of Directors of the United Way of Greater Cincinnati. He was the Chairman of the 2014 United Way of Greater Cincinnati Campaign. He also serves on the Campaign Board of the Ohio Cancer Research Associates, and is a past Chair of the Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation.

AK Steel
AK Steel is a world leader in the production of flat-rolled carbon, stainless and electrical steel products, primarily for automotive, infrastructure and manufacturing, construction and electrical power generation and distribution markets. Headquartered in West Chester, Ohio (Greater Cincinnati), the company employs approximately 8,500 men and women at eight steel plants, two coke plants and two tube manufacturing plants across six states: Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Additional information about AK Steel is available at www.aksteel.com.