SUGAR LAND, Texas, June 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Arabian American Development Co. (Nasdaq: ARSD) today announced that Joseph P. Palm, a proven executive with significant relationships in the oil and chemical markets, was elected to the Board of Directors of the Company effective May 20, 2011. Mr. Palm will serve on the Audit, Nominating, and Compensation committees of the Board. This brings the total number of board members for the Company to seven, four of whom are considered independent under Rule 10A-3(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Mr. Palm has over 40 years of industry experience primarily in marketing and business development including 13 years with BP Amoco Chemical as marketing manager and business development manager and over 25 years in marketing, product development and business development for Rohm and Haas Company, a specialty chemical company. Mr. Palm served in the United States Army from 1968 to 1971 and completed his tour as a Staff Sergeant (E-6). He has an undergraduate degree from LaSalle University, Philadelphia, Pa., and holds an MBA from Xavier University, Cincinnati.

Nick Carter, President and CEO commented, "Joe's extensive and varied experience brings unique skills in asset management, marketing, sales and new business development in our industry that will add to the depth of the Board of Directors.  We are happy to welcome Joe to the group and feel he will provide an area of expertise that will help us as we expand our reach in moving our products around the world."

Mr. Palm commented, "I look forward to working closely with the board and management to leverage the Company's reputation and competitive position in the petrochemical industry and welcome the opportunity to contribute to maximizing value for investors over the long term."

About Arabian American Development Company (ARSD)

ARSD owns and operates a petrochemical facility located in southeast Texas just north of Beaumont which specializes in high purity petrochemical solvents and other solvent type manufacturing. The Company is also the original developer and now a 41% investor in a Saudi Arabian joint stock company involving a mining project which is currently under construction in the Najran Province of southwest Saudi Arabia. The mine is scheduled to be in production in late 2011 or early 2012 and will produce economic quantities of zinc, copper, gold, and silver.

Safe Harbor

Statements in this release that are not historical facts are forward looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward looking statements are based upon management's belief as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management. Because such statements are based upon expectations as to future economic performance and are not statements of fact, actual results may differ from those projected. These risks, as well as others, are discussed in greater detail in Arabian American's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Arabian American's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,  2010, and the Company's subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

Company Contact:  Nick Carter, President and Chief Executive Officer

                  (409) 385-8300

                  ncarter@southhamptonr.com



Investor Contact: Cameron Donahue

                  Hayden IR

                  (651) 653-1854

                  Cameron@haydenir.com

SOURCE Arabian American Development Co.