Michael T. Rehwinkel, Executive Chairman of EVRAZ North America, has been elected to the Gulf Power Company board of directors.

Rehwinkel, who is based in Pensacola, became Executive Chairman of EVRAZ in July of this year. EVRAZ North America is a leading steel manufacturer that produces more than 5 million tons annually of flat, long and tubular products. Rehwinkel held the position of CEO and President of EVRAZ from 2010 to 2013. He was responsible for transforming EVRAZ from a collection of companies to one commercially driven vertically integrated firm focused on value creation. Currently he serves the steel industry as Chairman of the American Iron and Steel Institute. 

“Mike brings a wealth of industrial business experience and leadership to our board,” said Stan Connally, Gulf Power President and CEO. “He will be a strong advocate for continued excellence in our electric operations. Further, his knowledge in the manufacturing business will make him a valuable asset to our team as we continue to focus on economic development in Northwest Florida.”

Rehwinkel has more than 30 years of industrial manufacturing experience. Before joining EVRAZ, he held a variety of executive positions at Georgia-Pacific, including President of GP Wood Products and Senior Vice President of the company’s packaging business. He also held senior management roles in operations, finance and sales at Pactiv, MidAmerican Packaging and International Paper.

Rehwinkel holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Miss., and completed the Advanced Management Program at Duke University in North Carolina. He and his wife, Patti, were born and raised in Mobile, Ala. They have two grown sons, Andrew, who is an educator at Pensacola High School, and Lee, who heads a research group in London.