Edward A. Ferkany Elected to Rouge Industries' Board of Directors

DEARBORN, Mich., May 7, 2003 -- Rouge Industries, Inc. (BULLETIN BOARD: RGID) announced today that Mr. Edward A. Ferkany has been elected as a member of its Board of Directors. Mr. Ferkany's term will expire in 2005.

According to Carl L. Valdiserri, chairman and chief executive officer of Rouge Industries, "Ed Ferkany brings a wealth of steel manufacturing and sales experience to our Board including a keen insight of the markets we serve and the flat rolled sheet products we manufacture. We are delighted to have a person of his stature joining our Board."

In March 2003, Mr. Ferkany retired as group president of Worthington Steel Company after 29 years of service to Worthington Industries. Mr. Ferkany joined Worthington in 1974 and worked in various sales capacities through 1981 when he was named president of Worthington Custom Products, the former Plastics Division of Worthington Industries.

In 1986, Mr. Ferkany was named president, Worthington Steel Company. In 1998, Mr. Ferkany was named executive vice president of Worthington Industries, Inc. where he was responsible for strategic planning, joint ventures and customer satisfaction. He was again named president of Worthington Steel Company in January 2001, a position he held until his retirement.

Mr. Ferkany is a native of Flint, Michigan and a graduate of Bowling Green State University. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Education and a Master's Degree in Administration. Mr. Ferkany served as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and was a football coach at the U.S. Naval Academy, Western Michigan University and Ohio State University.

Mr. Ferkany is a member of the Central Ohio Easter Seal Society and serves on the Board of Trustees of Bowling Green State University. He and his wife, Jeanne, have five children and six grandchildren.