WCI Steel, Inc. announces three senior management appointments

WARREN , Ohio , May 3 /PRNewswire/ -- WCI Steel, Inc. announced three appointments to its senior management team effective immediately.

Thomas J. Gentile has been named to the newly created position of vice president - business development. Gentile, who formerly served as WCI's vice president and chief financial officer, will coordinate the development and implementation of WCI's long-term strategic plan in his new position.

Cynthia B. Bezik will replace Gentile as vice president and CFO. Bezik formerly served as senior vice president - finance and chief financial officer of Cleveland-Cliffs Inc from 1997 to 2003 and treasurer from 1994 to 1997.

John C. Amer has been named controller. Amer began at WCI in February, 2005, on a contract basis to provide accounting and finance support. Previously, Amer had served as chief financial officer of Remacor in West Pittsburg, Pa., a producer of desulfurizors for the steel industry.

"Tom, Cynthia and John bring a wealth of financial knowledge and industry experience to WCI that will be invaluable as we position the company as a strong, independent custom flat-rolled producer," said WCI President Patrick G. Tatom.

Gentile came to WCI in November, 2002, and was appointed vice president and CFO in early 2005. Before coming to WCI, Gentile was with BP America Inc. in Cleveland for 23 years in a variety of treasury and accounting posts, culminating in the position of regional treasurer for North America.

Gentile, 53, earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from Cleveland State University and a master's degree in business administration from John Carroll University. He is a Certified Public Accountant.

Bezik, 53, earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from Youngstown State University and a master's degree in business administration from Case Western Reserve University.

Amer, who also was controller of GF Corp. in Youngstown from 1977 to 1986, is a U.S. Army veteran, having served in the 101st Airborne Division.

Amer, 59, earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Notre Dame and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Pittsburgh. He is a Certified Public Accountant.

WCI is an integrated steelmaker producing more than 185 grades of custom and commodity flat-rolled steel at its Warren, Ohio facility. WCI products are used by steel service centers, convertors and the automotive and construction markets. The company has nearly 1,600 employees.

Forward-Looking Statements

Forward-looking statements in this press release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "believe," "foresee" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements; however, this press release also contains other forward-looking statements. WCI cautions that there are various important factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements; accordingly, there can be no assurance that such indicated events will occur. Among such factors are: general economic and business conditions; demand for WCI's products; changes in industry capacity and levels of imports of steel or steel products; industry trends, including product pricing and competition; currency fluctuations; the loss of any significant customers; availability of qualified personnel; major equipment failures; changes in, or the failure or inability to comply with, government regulation, including, without limitation, environmental regulations; and the outcome of legal matters. By making these forward-looking statements, WCI does not undertake to update them in any manner except as may be required by the Securities and Exchange Commission under federal laws.
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