U.S. Steel
Usher has been credited with turning around and leading U.S. Steel through a difficult period in the steel industry. His success in leading U.S. Steel during this period has in part been credited to his initiation of significant changes, including the separation of Marathon Oil and U.S. Steel at the end of 2001, a move designed to allow both companies to focus on their core businesses. His success has also been credited to his expansion of U.S. Steel by leading it to purchase operations in Slovakia and Serbia, which took the previously domestic U.S. Steel international, as well as consolidating the industry through acquisitions and integrations, such as that of National Steel Corporation. By the end of his tenure as CEO, U.S. Steel had more than doubled in size. Usher's tenure at U.S. Steel was also noted for his positive relations with the labor unions. He also led the charge to impose the 2002 United States steel tariff in order to protect domestic U.S. steel production, including testifying before the U.S. government's U.S.-China Economics and Security Review Commission.