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

Michael Cowden is a Managing Editor for Steel Market Update (SMU) and has covered the steel industry since 2007. Since 2014, he has specialized in flat-rolled steel but has previously reported on steel long products, steel pipe and tube as well as aluminum.

Before joining SMU, Michael held reporting jobs at Fastmarkets AMM in Chicago - where he was involved in launching AMM’s daily hot-rolled coil index, 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.

Michael has a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Chicago and a Master’s degree in Journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.

BIOGRAPHY

Barry 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 has grown from $1.5m in revenue in 1986 to over $1.2B 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’s’ purchased back Carlye’s 55% interest in JMC. Then, in June of 2016 the company was renamed Zekelman Industries.

Today, Zekelman Industries, the parent of Atlas Tube, American Tube, Wheatland Tube, Western Tube, Sharon Tube, Picoma and Z modular produces over 2.4 million steel tons per year in 19 plants, manufactures and builds over 1500 multifamily residential apartments thru Z modular and employs over 2900 people throughout the United States and Canada. Zekelman Industries maintains the #1 market position in North America in HSS, Standard pipe, Electrical conduit and Electrical fittings, with sales in excess of $5B annually. Barry is currently the Chairman and CEO of Zekelman Industries and is responsible for taking the company to new heights.  

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 a senior analyst and editor for Steel Market Update (SMU). David joined SMU after more than a decade in the metals and mining industry in a myriad of different roles. Much of his experience and expertise is within the coverage and analysis of steel-making raw materials and served previously as senior editor of the CRU Prices Service. Most recently, however, before his return to market analysis, David held roles as a metals buyer and an operations manager for raw material suppliers.

BIOGRAPHY

Kevin Dempsey is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Iron and Steel Institute, a leading advocacy group representing electric arc furnace and integrated American steel producers. He previously served as senior vice president of public policy and general counsel to the Institute during which AISI achieved landmark policy successes on trade, tax and infrastructure, and successfully showcased the steel industry’s sustainability accomplishments.

Mr. Dempsey is well known in industry and trade circles, on Capitol Hill and by government officials in the U.S. and globally. He is a regular speaker at industry, policy and media events, and has been featured in dozens of national, regional and trade media. Before joining AISI, Mr. Dempsey led numerous international trade cases on behalf of American steel producers and other U.S. industries and served as a legal counsel in the U.S. Senate. 

BIOGRAPHY

Michael Cowden is a Managing Editor for Steel Market Update (SMU) and has covered the steel industry since 2007. Since 2014, he has specialized in flat-rolled steel but has previously reported on steel long products, steel pipe and tube as well as aluminum.

Before joining SMU, Michael held reporting jobs at Fastmarkets AMM in Chicago - where he was involved in launching AMM’s daily hot-rolled coil index, 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.

Michael has a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Chicago and a Master’s degree in Journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.

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 a senior analyst and editor for Steel Market Update (SMU). David joined SMU after more than a decade in the metals and mining industry in a myriad of different roles. Much of his experience and expertise is within the coverage and analysis of steel-making raw materials and served previously as senior editor of the CRU Prices Service. Most recently, however, before his return to market analysis, David held roles as a metals buyer and an operations manager for raw material suppliers.

BIOGRAPHY

David Schollaert is a senior analyst and editor for Steel Market Update (SMU). David joined SMU after more than a decade in the metals and mining industry in a myriad of different roles. Much of his experience and expertise is within the coverage and analysis of steel-making raw materials and served previously as senior editor of the CRU Prices Service. Most recently, however, before his return to market analysis, David held roles as a metals buyer and an operations manager for raw material suppliers.

BIOGRAPHY

Michael Cowden is a Managing Editor for Steel Market Update (SMU) and has covered the steel industry since 2007. Since 2014, he has specialized in flat-rolled steel but has previously reported on steel long products, steel pipe and tube as well as aluminum.

Before joining SMU, Michael held reporting jobs at Fastmarkets AMM in Chicago - where he was involved in launching AMM’s daily hot-rolled coil index, 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.

Michael has a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Chicago and a Master’s degree in Journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.

BIOGRAPHY

Michael Cowden is a Managing Editor for Steel Market Update (SMU) and has covered the steel industry since 2007. Since 2014, he has specialized in flat-rolled steel but has previously reported on steel long products, steel pipe and tube as well as aluminum.

Before joining SMU, Michael held reporting jobs at Fastmarkets AMM in Chicago - where he was involved in launching AMM’s daily hot-rolled coil index, 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.

Michael has a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Chicago and a Master’s degree in Journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.

BIOGRAPHY

David Schollaert is a senior analyst and editor for Steel Market Update (SMU). David joined SMU after more than a decade in the metals and mining industry in a myriad of different roles. Much of his experience and expertise is within the coverage and analysis of steel-making raw materials and served previously as senior editor of the CRU Prices Service. Most recently, however, before his return to market analysis, David held roles as a metals buyer and an operations manager for raw material suppliers.

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

David Schollaert is a senior analyst and editor for Steel Market Update (SMU). David joined SMU after more than a decade in the metals and mining industry in a myriad of different roles. Much of his experience and expertise is within the coverage and analysis of steel-making raw materials and served previously as senior editor of the CRU Prices Service. Most recently, however, before his return to market analysis, David held roles as a metals buyer and an operations manager for raw material suppliers.

BIOGRAPHY

David Schollaert is a senior analyst and editor for Steel Market Update (SMU). David joined SMU after more than a decade in the metals and mining industry in a myriad of different roles. Much of his experience and expertise is within the coverage and analysis of steel-making raw materials and served previously as senior editor of the CRU Prices Service. Most recently, however, before his return to market analysis, David held roles as a metals buyer and an operations manager for raw material suppliers.

BIOGRAPHY

Michael Cowden is a Managing Editor for Steel Market Update (SMU) and has covered the steel industry since 2007. Since 2014, he has specialized in flat-rolled steel but has previously reported on steel long products, steel pipe and tube as well as aluminum.

Before joining SMU, Michael held reporting jobs at Fastmarkets AMM in Chicago - where he was involved in launching AMM’s daily hot-rolled coil index, 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.

Michael has a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Chicago and a Master’s degree in Journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.