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 senior editor for Steel Market Update (SMU). 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 as well as aluminum. Before joining SMU, Cowden 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. Cowden 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

Karla Lewis started her career as a certified public accountant with Ernst & Young (Ernst & Whinney). In 1992, Ms. Lewis left EY to join Reliance as the company’s first Controller. She was promoted to Chief Financial Officer in 1999. In 2017, Ms. Lewis further undertook operational responsibility of a number of Reliance subsidiaries and in January 2021, she was promoted to President and appointed a member of the Reliance Board of Directors. Ms. Lewis was named CEO & President of Reliance effective January 1, 2023. She has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Metals Service Center Institute since 2009 and has served on the Board of Directors of Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. since 2021. Ms. Lewis earned a BS degree in Business from The Ohio State University.

BIOGRAPHY

Jeff Moskaluk is senior vice president and chief commercial officer of SSAB Americas, the most sustainable steel plate producer in North America. SSAB operates two steel mills in Montpelier, IA and Mobile, AL, and three cut-to-length facilities in Houston, TX; St. Paul, MN; and Toronto, ON.   During his 33 years at SSAB, Jeff has held various positions, with increasing responsibility, in both Commercial and Operations.   Jeff's current responsibilities include oversight of SSAB Americas’ commercial activities, business unit teams, trade, and operations planning and scheduling.     Jeff is located at SSAB Americas’ corporate office in Mobile, AL.

BIOGRAPHY

Conrad was appointed President of North Star BlueScope Steel in 2022. Prior to joining North Star, he was President and CEO of Evraz North America, a diversified steel company producing more than three million tons annually from operations in Western Canada and the United States. Conrad was a partner at Booz Allen and Hamilton, served as CEO for Ardagh Glass Packaging, North America, and founded a Covid-19 testing company, Shield T3. Conrad is an MIT-educated Mechanical engineer and served in the U.S. Navy as a nuclear submariner aboard fast attack submarines.   

BIOGRAPHY

Kenneth E. Jaycox joined U. S. Steel in September 2020.  In his current role, Mr. Jaycox leads U. S. Steel's commercial functions and is responsible for customer value creation in the areas of sales, commercial support and marketing. Prior to joining U. S. Steel, Mr. Jaycox advanced through increasingly responsible roles with Sysco Corporation, International Traders Inc./First American Carries, Compass Group North America and The Coca-Cola Company. Mr. Jaycox is a native of St. Louis, Missouri, and holds a bachelor's degree from Saint Louis University in St. Louis.

BIOGRAPHY

Michael Cowden is a senior editor for Steel Market Update (SMU). 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 as well as aluminum. Before joining SMU, Cowden 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. Cowden 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

César Jiménez is CEO of Ternium México, one of the leading steel companies in Latin America.

He has 37 years of experience in steel companies, starting his career in 1986 at Hylsa. In 1992, he joined IMSA Group, acquired by Ternium in 2007, where he served as Order Manager Director, and later as Industrial Sales Director.

In November 2010, he was appointed CEO of Tenigal, a Joint Venture between Ternium and Nippon Steel, and in 2014 Commercial Vice President in Ternium México, position he held until March 2018 when he was promoted to the CEO position.

Currently, he is member of several Boards, and is President of the regional initiative Nuevo León 4.0. President of the Monterrey Competitiveness Center and Vice President of CAINTRA.

César has a Bachelor Degree in Computer Science from Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, holds a Master Degree in Information Systems Management from Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, and attended the General Management Program at Harvard Business School.

BIOGRAPHY

Michael Cowden is a senior editor for Steel Market Update (SMU). 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 as well as aluminum. Before joining SMU, Cowden 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. Cowden 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

A past columnist for both The New York Times and The Washington Post, Gene now writes regularly for The Hill, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Forbes, Entrepreneur, The Washington Times, and The Guardian.

Gene is a best-selling author and has written 5 books on business management, specifically geared towards small and medium sized companies. His most recent is Want More Cash? 100+ Ideas And Strategies For Increasing Your Company’s Cash Flow This Year.

Nationally, Gene appears regularly on Fox Business, MSNBC, as well as CBS Eye on the World with John Batchelor and SiriusXM’s Wharton Business Channel where he talks about the financial, economic and technology issues that affect business leaders today.

Through his keynotes and breakout sessions, Gene helps business owners, executives and managers understand the political, economic and technological trends that will affect their companies and—most importantly—the actions they can take to continue to grow and profit. Gene owns and operates the Marks Group PC, a highly successful ten-person firm that provides technology and consulting services to small and medium sized businesses.

Prior to starting the Marks Group PC Gene, a Certified Public Accountant, spent nine years in the entrepreneurial services arm of the international consulting firm KPMG in Philadelphia where he was a Senior Manager.

BIOGRAPHY

Ben Abrams is the President and CEO of Consolidated Scrap Resources, Inc (CSR).  CSR is based in Southcentral Pennsylvania and is a leading, regional full-service processor and supplier of ferrous, non-ferrous, paper and plastic scrap to domestic and foreign mills, foundries, and smelters.  CSR also provides a comprehensive range of scrap management and collection services to commercial and industrial businesses.  It operates six processing facilities with a shredder, shears, and balers in Pennsylvania, and ships scrap via trucks, containers, and railcars to consumers across the Eastern United States.  In his role as president and CEO of CSR, Ben oversees all aspects of the company's trading, operations, and business development.  He also currently serves as Chair of the Surface Transportation Board’s Rail Shippers Transportation Advisory Council.  He holds a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, a J.D. from Penn State's Dickinson School of Law, and an M.S. in Real Estate Finance from New York University.    

BIOGRAPHY

As the Chief Economist and Director of Commodities at the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Joe Pickard conducts research and analysis on the latest commodity and recycling market developments and the key economic role that recycling plays both in the United States and abroad. Mr Pickard regularly provides economic and market updates to ISRI members, policymakers, the press, and the public. Previously, he served as the economist for the International Copper Study Group and as a research analyst at Slayton & Associates. Mr Pickard holds a Master’s degree in Economics from Virginia Tech and a Bachelor’s degree from Loyola University Maryland.

BIOGRAPHY

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, Miller was at the forefront of the pig iron trade and established a pig iron distribution company under the name of Ferrosource, Inc.  Most recently, Miller has concentrated on the scrap export market and regularly does consulting for several companies in the industry.  

BIOGRAPHY

Jerry Richardson is the Executive Director of CSN LLC, the U.S. based subsidiary of Brazilian steel and mining conglomerate CSN. He is responsible for all domestic and import activities of CSN LLC, including financial, commercial and operational management of the company. In June 2018, he led the $475 million sale of CSN’s steel processing plant in Terre Haute, Indiana; a facility which CSN had bought in 2001 for $55 million. Through his guidance and leadership, the company grew from $250 million in revenue to over $900 million at its peak of commercial activity in 2018. He is currently the head of CSN Trading, a company specializing in the importation and distribution of steel products.

Over the last 30 years, Mr. Richardson has developed a command of the steel industry while working for international trading companies focused on metals including Duferco SA, Preussag International Steel Corp., Mannesmann Pipe & Steel and C. Itoh & Co. His broad experience with all types of carbon steel products and international trade gives him a unique view of the world market from a U.S. perspective and his finance background, commercial experience and affinity for operations gives him a unique skill set as a recognized leader in the industry.

Since 2008 he has served on the board of the American Metals Supply Chain Institute (formerly American Institute for International Steel) and has been a featured speaker and presenter for numerous industry events and conferences over the last 10 years. Jerry graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 1985. 

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 and steel innovations in the auto and construction markets.

Mr Dempsey received his Juris Doctor Degree from Harvard Law School and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Washington University in St. Louis.

BIOGRAPHY

Lewis Leibowitz practices international trade and Customs law in Washington, D.C. He has more than 40 years’ experience in handling international trade legal and policy matters involving US and international issues. He advises foreign and domestic companies on trade opportunities and challenges in the United States and around the world. He speaks frequently on international trade legal and policy issues and writes a weekly column on international trade legal and policy issues.

Lewis handles trade issues involving the steel and automotive industries, textiles, energy, technology and many other areas of business. He provides strategic advice on presidential and congressional issues involving trade, as well as U.S. and international administrative and judicial proceedings. 

He is a past Chairman and Board Member of the National Association of Foreign Trade Zones (NAFTZ) and assisted in the creation of the World Free Zones Organization (WFZO), a global organization of Customs free zones, special economic zones and related trade and investment ideas. He focuses on foreign trade zone matters that raise important trade policy and investment issues. 

A well-known champion of “consuming industries,” he has worked to guide coalitions aimed at reducing trade barriers, whether imposed by government action.

BIOGRAPHY

Michael Cowden is a senior editor for Steel Market Update (SMU). 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 as well as aluminum. Before joining SMU, Cowden 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. Cowden 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

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

Scott Waletzko is a Commodity Manager at John Deere where he leads strategic sourcing activity for steel in North America and Europe.  Scott’s team manages sheet, plate, bar, and tube flowing directly into Deere factories and into the metal fabrication supply base.  Scott has spent his 20+ year career at multiple Deere locations with experience in metal fabrication manufacturing engineering, operations, and several roles in supply chain. 

BIOGRAPHY

Tai Woo Cho is a Category Manager at TrinityRail (Trinity Industries, Inc.), a railroad car manufacturer. He manages procurement and supply chain of raw materials for Trinity.   Tai began his career with Hyundai Steel and served in sales and business development roles. He later joined Metal One, a global trading house, and served as international trader until he joined Trinity.   Over the course of his career, Tai has conducted businesses in multiple countries and various fields. And this unique blend of experiences has helped him develop uncommon perspectives.

BIOGRAPHY

Dan Needham is Executive Vice President of Commercial for Nucor Corporation.

Dan began his career with Nucor in 2000 as Controller at Nucor Steel Hertford County. In 2002, he transferred to Nucor Steel Decatur, LLC as Controller. In 2004,Dan transferred to Nuconsteel as Manager of their Commercial Business Group. And in 2008, he transferred to Nucor Steel Utah as Controller.

In 2011, Dan was promoted to General Manager at Nucor Steel Connecticut, Inc. In 2014, he transferred to Nucor Steel Utah where he served as Vice President and General Manager until 2019, when he was named Vice President and General Manager of Nucor Steel Indiana. In 2021, he became Executive Vice President of Bar, Engineered Bar and Rebar Fabrication Products.

Dan was named to his current position effective May 15, 2022.

BIOGRAPHY

Michael Cowden is a senior editor for Steel Market Update (SMU). 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 as well as aluminum. Before joining SMU, Cowden 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. Cowden 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

Geoff Gilmore was named executive vice president and chief operating officer of Worthington Industries in August 2018. In September 2022, Worthington announced plans to separate its Steel Processing business to create a new standalone public company by early 2024. Gilmore will lead that company as president and CEO.

Gilmore joined Worthington in 1998 in sales for the Steel Processing segment, taking on roles of increasing responsibility over his 24-year tenure. He’s served in multiple leadership capacities including vice president of Purchasing, and as president of Worthington’s largest business segments, Steel Processing and Pressure Cylinders. He led each to record earnings, oversaw one of the Company’s largest acquisitions and enhanced a culture of safety and innovation. Gilmore earned his bachelor’s degree from Valparaiso University and his MBA from The University of Michigan.

BIOGRAPHY

Michael Cowden is a senior editor for Steel Market Update (SMU). 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 as well as aluminum. Before joining SMU, Cowden 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. Cowden 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

Mr. Marabito is responsible for providing the vision and strategic leadership for the organization by working with the board of directors and the executive management team to establish goals, strategies and policies. Mr. Marabito is also the primary interface between Olympic Steel and its shareholders, investors and the public.

Mr. Marabito joined Olympic in 1994 as Corporate Controller and served as Chief Financial Officer from March 2000 through 2018. He also served as Treasurer from 1994 through 2002 and again from 2010 through 2012. Prior to joining Olympic Steel, he served as Corporate Controller for a publicly traded wholesale distribution compa-ny and was employed in the audit department of a national accounting firm.

Mr. Marabito received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting in 1985 from the University of Mount Union. He is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive) in the state of Ohio. He also completed the MSCI executive education pro-gram at Washington University.

Mr. Marabito is Chairman of the Metals Service Center Institute (MSCI). He served as a board member of the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana chapter from 2006 until 2018 and also served as the Chair of its Northeast Ohio Regional Board. He also served for 10 years on the Board of Trustees and was the Treasurer for Hawken School in Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Marabito was a board member and Audit Committee Chairman for Hawk Corporation (ASE: HWK) from 2008 until Hawk was sold in November 2010.

Rick and his wife Polly reside in Gates Mills, Ohio. They have two adult children. State CodeOH

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

Cameron Gibson is the Business Development Manager for the Port of New Orleans, specializing in breakbulk and project cargoes. Before coming to New Orleans, he held chartering and project cargo positions at G2 Ocean in Atlanta. He is a graduate of the University of South Alabama and received an MBA from the University of Georgia. Passionate about solving complex logistics issues, he is excited to assist shippers and partners with their cargoes at the Port of New Orleans.

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

Gregg Troian has more than 40 years of transportation experience, with the majority of those years spent at PGT Trucking. Throughout his career, Gregg has held multiple roles in Operations, Business Development and Leadership, including President and CEO of a large 3PL company. Gregg has played a major role in the growth and development of PGT Trucking, and he continues to lead the company through the Future of Flatbed®, revolutionizing transportation with the use of innovative technology and zero-emissions equipment.   Gregg is a member of the 2023-2024 Research Advisory Committee for the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) and a recipient of the 2022 Heavy Duty Trucking Truck Fleet Innovator Award. He also serves on the Pennsylvania Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee and the Ryder Carrier Advisory Board, and he maintains memberships to American Trucking Associations (ATA), American Iron & Steel Institute (AISI), Association for Iron & Steel Technology (AIST), Metals Service Center Institute (MSCI), Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association (PMTA), and Truckload Carriers Association (TCA). 

BIOGRAPHY

Wade Elliott joined Port Tampa Bay in 2003 and has over 30 years of port business development, marketing and research experience working with clients across the globe, including exporters, importers, ocean carriers, terminal operators and cruise lines. He was previously Executive Director of the Halifax-Dartmouth Port Development Commission.   

Mr. Elliott is a graduate of Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia where he also worked as Research Associate conducting economic and policy research in the maritime sector.  He began his career working at sea aboard a variety of ships, including container, bulk, tanker, offshore supply and seismic survey vessels.  

He is the Chairman of the Tampa Foreign Trade Zone, and serves on the boards of the Tampa Port Ministries Seafarers’ Center and the Central–North Florida District Export Council.

BIOGRAPHY

With a reputation as an accurate, straightforward economist, Alan has been delivering award-winning workshops and economic analysis seminars in countries across the world to thousands of business owners and executives for the last 30 years.

He is co-author of Prosperity in the Age of Decline, a powerful look at how to make the most of the US and global trends over the next 20 years. Alan also coauthored Make Your Move, a practical and insightful guide on increasing profits through business cycle changes, and noted by one reviewer as “simple, yet awesome.”

As the result of his years of work with domestic and international associations, it has been remarked that Alan’s “insight into our business, a track record of accurate forecasting, and unparalleled knowledge of global markets has earned him the respect and appreciation of key business leaders in our industry.”

Pronouncements from ITR Economics™ and/or Alan have appeared in/on: the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Knight Ridder News Services, Business Week, Associated Press, The Washington Times, and numerous other outlets.

BIOGRAPHY

Michael Cowden is a senior editor for Steel Market Update (SMU). 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 as well as aluminum. Before joining SMU, Cowden 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. Cowden 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.