BIOGRAPHY

Vince Pappalardo is a Managing Director and leads the Metals & Advanced Metals Manufacturing group at Brown Gibbons Lang & Company. Vince advises companies involved in the production and distribution of ferrous and nonferrous metals and alloys as well as diversified industries. He has over 25 years of investment banking experience advising on domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions and debt and equity placements. His areas of expertise include steel mills, metal service centers, metals recycling, and advanced metals manufacturing.

BIOGRAPHY

Ethan Bernard is managing editor for Steel Market Update. He previously worked for American Metal Market as a copy editor in New York for AMM’s daily publication. He also copy-edited AMM’s monthly magazine. Bernard has experience in financial copywriting and textbook publishing. He also holds a BA in Comparative Literature from UC Berkeley and an MFA in Creative Writing from New York University.

BIOGRAPHY

Michael Cowden is editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. Cowden has covered the steel industry since 2007. He has since 2014 specialized in flat-rolled steel but has previously reported on steel long products, steel pipe and tube, and aluminum. Before joining SMU, Cowden reported for Fastmarkets AMM in Chicago, the Associated Press in Pittsburgh, and the Cambodia Daily in Phnom Penh. He has also worked as a copy editor and in marketing at the University of Chicago Press. Cowden has a BA in English from the University of Chicago and an MSJ in journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Anirban Basu is Chairman & CEO of Sage Policy Group, Inc., an economic and policy consulting firm headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland with an office in Orlando, Florida.  The firm provides strategic analytical services to energy suppliers, law firms, medical systems, government agencies, and real estate developers among others.  

In 2014, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan appointed Dr. Basu as Chair of the Maryland Economic Development Commission (2014-2021). Dr. Basu serves as Chairman of the Baltimore County Economic Advisory Committee.  He also serves the chief economist function for Associated Builders and Contractors, the Construction Financial Management Association, the Modular Building Institute, the Maryland Bankers Association, the International Food Distributors Association, and several others.  

He has taught at several universities, most frequently at the Johns Hopkins University.  He currently teaches History of Economic Thought at Goucher College as their Distinguished Economist in Residence.    

In 2007, 2016, and 2022, the Daily Record newspaper selected Dr. Basu as one of Maryland’s 50 most influential people. The Baltimore Business Journal named him one of the region’s 20 most powerful business leaders in 2010.  

Dr. Basu is currently on the boards of the University of Maryland School of Law, St. Mary’s College, the University of Maryland Medical Center, the University System of Maryland Foundation, the Lyric Opera House, and the Center Club. He is also on Truist Bank’s advisory board.  

Dr. Basu earned his B.S. in Foreign Service at Georgetown University.  He earned his Master’s in Public Policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, and his Master’s in Economics from the University of Maryland, College Park.  He acquired his Juris Doctor at the University of Maryland School of Law.  He completed his doctoral work at UMBC with a concentration in health economics.

BIOGRAPHY

David Schollaert is deputy editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. Schollaert has been in the metals and mining industry since 2009. Before joining SMU in 2020, Schollaert covered steel-making raw materials and ferroalloys for CRU, and more recently held roles as a metals buyer and operations manager for raw material suppliers in Pittsburgh and Montreal.

BIOGRAPHY

Michael Cowden is editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. Cowden has covered the steel industry since 2007. He has since 2014 specialized in flat-rolled steel but has previously reported on steel long products, steel pipe and tube, and aluminum. Before joining SMU, Cowden reported for Fastmarkets AMM in Chicago, the Associated Press in Pittsburgh, and the Cambodia Daily in Phnom Penh. He has also worked as a copy editor and in marketing at the University of Chicago Press. Cowden has a BA in English from the University of Chicago and an MSJ in journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.

BIOGRAPHY

Edward J. Lehner is President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ryerson, a global industrial metals supplier and processor with operations in the United States, Canada, Mexico and China. Eddie began serving as Ryerson's CEO in June 2015 after having served as Ryerson's executive vice president and chief financial officer from July of 2012 thru May of 2015. Prior to joining Ryerson, Eddie served as the chief financial officer of PSC Metals, Inc., a diversified metals company, and before that, as the chief financial officer of SeverCorr, LLC., a primary steel manufacturing company headquartered in the southern United States. Eddie's career also includes senior general management, operational, financial, accounting, tax and consulting roles for Nucor, Birmingham Steel, Inc., Laurel Steel and Deloitte & Touche. Eddie has served as Board Chairman of the Metals Service Center Institute (MSCI), Board of Directors of Modumetal Inc., and The Mississippi State Workforce Development Board.

BIOGRAPHY

Kevin Dempsey is the president and CEO of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), a leading advocacy group representing integrated and electric arc furnace  steelmakers, steel pipe and tube manufacturers and steel processors and fabricators, reflecting the production and distribution of both carbon and stainless steels. He has been with AISI since 2009, previously having served as senior vice president of public policy and general counsel. Under Dempsey’s executive leadership, the AISI has achieved policy successes on trade, tax and infrastructure; successfully promoted the steel industry’s global leadership on decarbonization, and showcased steel innovations.
Dempsey serves on the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Climate and Trade Advisory Council. He has been featured in dozens of national, regional and trade media and is a regular speaker at industry and advocacy events. Dempsey received his Juris Doctor Degree from Harvard Law School and a Bachelor of Arts  from Washington University.

BIOGRAPHY

Philip K. Bell is president of the Steel Manufacturers Association, the largest steel industry association in North America when it comes to the number, capacity, production, investment, workforce and economic impact of its members. 

Phil previously served as director of external communications and public affairs for Gerdau Long Steel North America. He has held executive-level positions with the SGL Carbon Group and Qualitech Steel Corp. 

He is a member of the International Trade Advisory Committee on Steel (ITAC 12), the National Association of Manufacturing (NAM) Council of Manufacturing Associations (CMA) and the Association of Iron & Steel Technology. 

Phil has a master’s degree in global strategic communications from the University of Florida.

BIOGRAPHY

David Schollaert is deputy editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. Schollaert has been in the metals and mining industry since 2009. Before joining SMU in 2020, Schollaert covered steel-making raw materials and ferroalloys for CRU, and more recently held roles as a metals buyer and operations manager for raw material suppliers in Pittsburgh and Montreal.

BIOGRAPHY

Michael Cowden is editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. Cowden has covered the steel industry since 2007. He has since 2014 specialized in flat-rolled steel but has previously reported on steel long products, steel pipe and tube, and aluminum. Before joining SMU, Cowden reported for Fastmarkets AMM in Chicago, the Associated Press in Pittsburgh, and the Cambodia Daily in Phnom Penh. He has also worked as a copy editor and in marketing at the University of Chicago Press. Cowden has a BA in English from the University of Chicago and an MSJ in journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.

BIOGRAPHY

David Schollaert is deputy editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. Schollaert has been in the metals and mining industry since 2009. Before joining SMU in 2020, Schollaert covered steel-making raw materials and ferroalloys for CRU, and more recently held roles as a metals buyer and operations manager for raw material suppliers in Pittsburgh and Montreal.

BIOGRAPHY

Barry Zekelman was born and raised in Windsor, Ontario. He received his early education in Windsor and later attended York University in Toronto, Ontario.  
His university education was interrupted in 1986 with the sudden passing of his father, the late Harry Zekelman, when the ownership of Atlas Tube Inc. was assumed by Barry and his two brothers. Atlas Tube grew from $1.5 million in revenue in 1986 to over $1.2 billion by 2006.  
In October 2006, John Maneely Company, a maker of steel tubing that was owned by private-equity giant Carlyle Group, announced a merger with Atlas Tube Inc., creating the largest independent tubing company in North America. In March of 2011, the Zekelman family purchased back Carlyle’s 55% interest in JMC. Then, in June of 2016, the company was renamed Zekelman Industries.  
Today, Zekelman Industries, the parent of Atlas Tube, Wheatland Tube, Western Tube, Sharon Tube, Picoma, Z Modular and Hayes Modular. With 18 factories in North America, the company has the capacity to manufacture 3.3 million tons of steel tube and pipe products and build over 1,500 multi-family residential apartments annually. Zekelman companies employ more than 3,300 teammates and maintain the #1 market position in North America in HSS, standard pipe, electrical conduit and electrical fittings with sales in excess of $4 billion annually. Barry is currently the Executive Chairman and CEO of Zekelman Industries and responsible for taking the company to new heights.

BIOGRAPHY

David Schollaert is deputy editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. Schollaert has been in the metals and mining industry since 2009. Before joining SMU in 2020, Schollaert covered steel-making raw materials and ferroalloys for CRU, and more recently held roles as a metals buyer and operations manager for raw material suppliers in Pittsburgh and Montreal.

BIOGRAPHY

Ethan Bernard is managing editor for Steel Market Update. He previously worked for American Metal Market as a copy editor in New York for AMM’s daily publication. He also copy-edited AMM’s monthly magazine. Bernard has experience in financial copywriting and textbook publishing. He also holds a BA in Comparative Literature from UC Berkeley and an MFA in Creative Writing from New York University.

BIOGRAPHY

David Schollaert is deputy editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. Schollaert has been in the metals and mining industry since 2009. Before joining SMU in 2020, Schollaert covered steel-making raw materials and ferroalloys for CRU, and more recently held roles as a metals buyer and operations manager for raw material suppliers in Pittsburgh and Montreal.

BIOGRAPHY

Gene Marks is a columnist, author, and small business expert. Formerly writing for The New York Times and The Washington Post, he now contributes to The Hill, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Forbes, Entrepreneur, The Washington Times, and The Guardian.

He has authored five books on business management for small and medium-sized companies, including ''Want More Cash?: 100+ Ideas And Strategies For Increasing Your Company's Cash Flow This Year." 

Gene frequently appears on Fox Business, Bloomberg, CBS Eye on the World with John Batchelor, and SiriusXM's Wharton Business Channel, discussing financial, economic, and technology issues impacting business leaders. 

Through his keynotes and breakout sessions, he assists business owners, executives and managers in understanding political, economic and technological trends affecting their companies, emphasizing actionable strategies for growth and profitability.

Gene owns and operates The Marks Group PC, a successful firm providing technology and consulting services to small and medium-sized businesses. Before founding The Marks Group, he spent nine years as a Senior Manager in the entrepreneurial services arm of KPMG in Philadelphia.

BIOGRAPHY

Michael Cowden is editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. Cowden has covered the steel industry since 2007. He has since 2014 specialized in flat-rolled steel but has previously reported on steel long products, steel pipe and tube, and aluminum. Before joining SMU, Cowden reported for Fastmarkets AMM in Chicago, the Associated Press in Pittsburgh, and the Cambodia Daily in Phnom Penh. He has also worked as a copy editor and in marketing at the University of Chicago Press. Cowden has a BA in English from the University of Chicago and an MSJ in journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.

BIOGRAPHY

Jodi started her professional journey in 1998 at Tuscaloosa Steel (now Nucor Tuscaloosa) as an Inside Sales Representative until she joined O’Neal Steel as a purchasing specialist in 1999. She continued to develop in Supply Chain Management until appointed Vice President of Supply Chain Management, joining the O’Neal Steel leadership team. 2023 brought new challenges when she was promoted to Chief Operating Officer with additional responsibility of both supply chain and operations.  
Jodi graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in Marketing, and has served on various boards supporting Breakthrough T1D and local community initiatives.

BIOGRAPHY

David Schollaert is deputy editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. Schollaert has been in the metals and mining industry since 2009. Before joining SMU in 2020, Schollaert covered steel-making raw materials and ferroalloys for CRU, and more recently held roles as a metals buyer and operations manager for raw material suppliers in Pittsburgh and Montreal.

BIOGRAPHY

David Schollaert is deputy editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. Schollaert has been in the metals and mining industry since 2009. Before joining SMU in 2020, Schollaert covered steel-making raw materials and ferroalloys for CRU, and more recently held roles as a metals buyer and operations manager for raw material suppliers in Pittsburgh and Montreal.

BIOGRAPHY

Michael Cowden is editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. Cowden has covered the steel industry since 2007. He has since 2014 specialized in flat-rolled steel but has previously reported on steel long products, steel pipe and tube, and aluminum. Before joining SMU, Cowden reported for Fastmarkets AMM in Chicago, the Associated Press in Pittsburgh, and the Cambodia Daily in Phnom Penh. He has also worked as a copy editor and in marketing at the University of Chicago Press. Cowden has a BA in English from the University of Chicago and an MSJ in journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.

BIOGRAPHY

Ethan Bernard is managing editor for Steel Market Update. He previously worked for American Metal Market as a copy editor in New York for AMM’s daily publication. He also copy-edited AMM’s monthly magazine. Bernard has experience in financial copywriting and textbook publishing. He also holds a BA in Comparative Literature from UC Berkeley and an MFA in Creative Writing from New York University.

BIOGRAPHY

Brett Linton is a digital operations analyst for Steel Market Update, where he began his career in 2010. He brings more than a decade of steel industry experience, including roles as data analyst and production manager at SMU, and as category manager and director of strategic insights at Reibus. He returned to SMU in 2024. He is a graduate of The University of North Georgia with a degree in Finance and Accounting.

BIOGRAPHY

Kristen DiLandro is a reporter for Steel Market Update. Kristen focuses on the micro and macro steel market conditions informing North American spot prices. Following her agency career in advertising, she attained an MFA in Writing from Savannah College of Art and Design.

BIOGRAPHY

Stephen Miller started his career in the scrap metal industry in 1978 at Luria Brothers in Cleveland, OH.  Over the last 40 plus years, he has worked in all capacities in the trading business.  He has had positions in both domestic and international scrap trading.  In addition to scrap, Stephen was at the forefront of the pig iron trade and established a pig iron distribution company under the name of Ferrosource, Inc.  Most recently, Stephen has concentrated on the scrap export market and regularly does consulting for several companies in the industry.  

BIOGRAPHY

Laura Miller is a reporter and editor for Steel Market Update. She has held various editorial positions with steel industry publications, associations, and mills since 2007. She joined the SMU team in 2022. She is a member of the Association of Women in the Metal Industries and a past-president of the AWMI Pittsburgh Chapter. She holds a BA in Latin American Studies from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.