2 Valley steel chiefs named to state council

COLUMBUS -- Two Mahoning Valley steel executives have been named to the Ohio Steel Industry Advisory Council.
On Friday, Gov. Bob Taft named WCI Steel Inc. President and CEO Patrick G. Tatom and V & amp;M Star President and COO Roger Lindgren to the panel that examines federal and state laws that affect the manufacture and consumption of steel.
Tatom, of Warren, was appointed to replace Edward R. Caine of Warren on the council. Lindgren, of Youngstown, was appointed to replace James A. Cowan of Youngstown. Terms of Caine and Cowan expired. Terms for Tatom and Lindgren expire in September 2006.
The panel's mission is also to probe problems facing the steel industry in Ohio, including foreign competition and the economic future of the state's steel industry.
According to the Ohio Steel Council, an industry group, the latest Annual Survey of Manufacturers ranks Ohio as the No. 1 state in steel production and processing. Ohio produces $4.59 billion in value-added steel production and processing per year, the Steel Council says.
More than 25,000 Ohio residents work directly in steel production and processing, with wages totaling $1.37 billion, the Steel Council says. Ohio Steel Industry Advisory Council members are paid for their expenses only.