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Gary P. Latendresse Elected Vice Chairman of Rouge Industries

22 July 1999

Gary P. Latendresse Elected Vice Chairman of Rouge Industries ROUGE INDUSTRIES GARY LATENDRESSE Rouge Industries, Inc. announced today that its Board of Directors has elected Gary P. Latendresse as vice chairman of the Company. Mr. Latendresse will continue as the Company's chief financial officer. (PRNewsFoto)[KC] DEARBORN, MI USA 07/21/1999    

    DEARBORN, Mich., July 21 -- Rouge Industries, Inc.
announced today that its Board of Directors has elected Gary P.
Latendresse as vice chairman of the Company.  Mr. Latendresse will continue as
the Company's chief financial officer.
    (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990721/DEW004 )
    According to Carl L. Valdiserri, chairman and chief executive officer of
the Company, "The Board of Directors has recognized for some time that Gary's
leadership capabilities extended beyond his current assignment.  Naturally, I
am pleased with the Board's support for his promotion to vice chairman.  In
his new position, Mr. Latendresse will focus his efforts on increasing
shareholder value through the strategic leveraging of the Company's joint
venture companies and the reduction of its operating costs.  In a
complementary action, Mr. Latendresse will assume managerial responsibility
for the Company's $800 million per year purchasing and logistics functions."
    Mr. Latendresse began his career in 1966 with Ford Motor Company's Steel
Division, the predecessor to Rouge Steel Company, following his graduation
from Western Michigan University.  He has held numerous financial positions
within Ford and Rouge Steel Company during his career.  He became Rouge
Steel's vice president, Finance and Controller in 1987 and vice president and
chief financial officer in 1992.  In 1998, Mr. Latendresse was elected
executive vice president and chief financial officer when his management
responsibilities were expanded to include Rouge Industries' six joint venture
companies.  He was elected to the Company's Board of Directors in 1992.
    Rouge Industries is a producer and distributor of premium quality flat
rolled steel products and is the parent corporation of Rouge Steel Company, a
fully integrated steel making operation located in Dearborn, Michigan.  Rouge
Industries principally serves the automotive, converter and service center
markets.