For Immediate Release

Public Relations Division
Public Affairs Department
1170 Eighth Avenue
Bethlehem, PA 18016-7699
(610) 694-3711 - Phone
(610) 694-1509 - Fax

BETHLEHEM, Pa., November 17, 1997 -- The retirement, effective December 31, of John A. Jordan Jr., senior vice president and chief administrative officer, Bethlehem Steel Corporation, was announced today by Curtis H. Barnette, chairman and chief executive officer.

In announcing Mr. Jordan's retirement, Mr. Barnette said:

"Jack, who is retiring after more than 40 years of outstanding service to Bethlehem and the steel industry, has been a trusted and valued adviser to me on many corporate and business matters. He has been a key leader for many years in championing and implementing constructive change at Bethlehem Steel. As we move toward our vision of being the Premier Steel Company, Jack's positive influence will remain with us for years to come. Further, he has been generous in his volunteer work and has represented Bethlehem's economic development and education interests in many Lehigh Valley organizations."

Mr. Jordan, a native of St. Louis, Mo., joined Bethlehem Steel as a member of the 1957 Loop Course management training program following graduation from Georgia Institute of Technology where he received a bachelor of industrial engineering degree. He then took a three-year military leave of absence to serve as a naval supply officer in the Pacific Fleet and the Philadelphia Shipyard.

He rejoined the corporation in 1960 for initial training in the executive sales office and then served a salesman and product supervisor in Bethlehem's St. Louis office. After receiving an educational leave of absence, he earned a master of business administration degree with distinction from Harvard Business School in 1969. Mr. Jordan moved to Bethlehem as a business analyst in the planning department in 1969 and was promoted to assistant manager, planning, in 1971 and to manager of financial planning in the finance department in 1976.

In 1982, he was elected vice president, planning, and assumed additional responsibilities for human resources in 1983. Two years later, Mr. Jordan was elected senior vice president and in 1992 was also named chief administrative officer. In his current capacity, he serves on the corporation's executive office staff and corporate management committee.

Professionally, Mr. Jordan is a member of the American Iron and Steel Institute and the Employee Relations Committee of the Business Roundtable. He also serves on the boards of the Lehigh Valley Partnership, Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation, Bethlehem Parking Authority, Lehigh Valley Business-Education Partnership, the Institute for Career Development and Ivan Allen College of Georgia Tech.

In the community, Mr. Jordan is president and a board member of The Bach Choir of Bethlehem. He has been a member of the boards of Saucon Valley Country Club, the Senior Citizens Council, the Girls Club of Bethlehem and Historic Bethlehem Inc., having served as president of the latter two organizations. He also was a member of the International Relations Visiting Committee of Lehigh University and served as clerk of session of The First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem.

He and his wife, Betsy, are the parents of three adult children. In retirement, they will continue to reside in Bethlehem and remain active in community affairs.