PHOENIX, Ariz. - AISI’s Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI) announced that Patrick R. Bush, industry manager, construction, sheet and strip converters, North American flat-rolled marketing at United States Steel Corporation, is the recipient of the 2009 Market Development Lifetime Achievement Award.

The award recognizes steel industry professionals who have made significant contributions over the course of their careers in advancing the competitive use of steel in the marketplace. These contributions include influencing strategic direction and increasing interest in market development by their colleagues. The award was presented by AISI Chairman James L. Wainscott, chairman, president and CEO of AK Steel Corporation, during a ceremony held at AISI’s 117th General Meeting.

“A key component to the success of the Steel Market Development Institute program is the development of strategic partnerships, where industry representatives can work together with customers and designers in a pre-competitive environment to advance steel solutions in the marketplace,” said David C. Jeanes, P.E., President of AISI’s Steel Market Development Institute. “Pat Bush has been an important resource over the years in building those partnerships that have advanced steel solutions in the construction marketplace. Pat provided leadership throughout his career in establishing collaborative programs with key customer groups such as the Metal Building Manufacturers Association, The Metal Initiative, the Metal Construction Association, and the Metal Roofing Alliance.

Bush was also recognized during AISI’s General Meeting for his service as chairman of AISI’s Commercial/Industrial/Institutional Buildings Committee from 2000-08. He was a founding member of the SMDI Construction Sustainability Task Group, and served on the Construction Market Council and Market Innovation/Growth Task Group.

Bush also served as chairman of the OSHA-SENRAC Steel Coalition that included AISI, the Steel Deck Institute, Steel Joist Institute, Metal Construction Association and the Metal Building Manufacturers Association. This coalition successfully reached an agreement with OSHA and the Ironworkers Union that has resulted in the improved safety of steel roofing and decking delivered to construction job sites. Bush also served on the board of directors of the Metal Building Manufacturers Association and the Metal Construction Association.

He retired from United States Steel Corporation in December 2008 after 42 years of service, and currently resides in Birmingham, Ala.

The mission of AISI’s Steel Market Development Institute is to advance the competitive use of steel through a market-driven strategy that promotes cost-effective, steel-based solutions. SMDI’s objective is to grow the markets for steel in the automotive, construction and container industries and for value-added long products, as well as in non-traditional steel markets such as energy. For more information, visitwww.steel.org.