Three independent, new directors join USS board 

In a July 30 statement, David Burritt, U.S. Steel president and CEO, and Takahiro Mori, representative director, vice chairman, and executive vice president of Nippon Steel and chairman of the USS board, welcomed the new members.  

“We are delighted to bring together a group of world-class individuals who share a common interest in solidifying U.S. Steel’s position as the leading steelmaker in the United States,” Mori said. “I look forward to working with this team of distinguished and insightful board members to help build a stronger and brighter future for U.S. Steel, its employees, and steelmaking in the United States.”  

In the same statement, Burritt added, “The new U.S. Steel board is composed of highly accomplished leaders who share a commitment to protecting the American steel industry, American workers, and American national security.”  

The new additions

John Donovan comes from the communications field. The former CEO of AT&T Communications also served under both President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden as a National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee member.

Robert Stevens advises the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Stevens served as chairman, president, and CEO of Lockheed Martin for seven years before becoming executive chairman in 2013, and was the lead independent director at Monsanto for 16 years. 

Admiral Timothy Keating, USN, operates a security-consulting firm, served as commander of the US Pacific Command, US Northern Command, and the North American Aerospace Defense Command. 

Honoring President Trump’s terms

Earlier this year, President Donald Trump greenlit the controversial deal between Pittsburgh-based USS and Japan-based Nippon Steel. He approved the transaction on the condition that the steelmakers comply with stipulations protecting US national interests. One such requirement mandates that US citizens hold the majority of seats on the combined company’s board of directors (BOD). The latest appointees are all US citizens.