AK Steel announced that Ernest J. Blache Jr., President of the company's discontinued insurance and finance leasing businesses, Armco Financial Services Group (AFSG) and Northwestern National Insurance Co. (NNIC), has been listed in the 2010 edition of Who's Who In Black Cincinnati, a directory of business leaders in the Greater Cincinnati area.
"Ernie is an outstanding member of AK Steel's management group," said James L. Wainscott, AK Steel Chairman, President and CEO. "We congratulate him for being named to Who's Who—recognition that reflects his solid leadership, experience, and professionalism."
Blache began his career with AK Steel's predecessor, Armco, in 1977 as an assistant accountant at the company's Baltimore steel plant. He later transferred to Armco's coal operations in West Virginia where he progressed through several accounting positions.
In 1983, Blache served as a senior accountant for Armco Mineral Resources before transferring to the company's internal auditing department. He then moved to financial services auditing where he became a manager.
Blache advanced to Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Risk Consultants, Inc. in 1989, and was named President, Armco Asset Management and President and Chief Financial Officer of Armco Financial Services in 1992. He became President and Chief Executive Officer of NNIC in 1997, and was named President of AFSG and NNIC in 2003.
Blache is a certified public accountant. He graduated Cum Laude from Howard University with a Bachelor's degree in business administration – accounting.
AK Steel produces flat-rolled carbon, stainless and electrical steels, primarily for automotive, appliance, construction and electrical power generation and distribution markets. The company has about 6200 employees in Middletown, Mansfield, Coshocton, and Zanesville, Ohio; Butler, Pa.; Ashland, Ky.; Rockport, Ind.; and its corporate headquarters in West Chester, Ohio.
AK Tube LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of AK Steel, employs about 300 men and women in plants in Walbridge, Ohio, and Columbus, Ind. It produces carbon and stainless electric resistance welded (ERW) tubular steel products for truck, automotive, and other markets.