Presented by Steel Market Update & Port Tampa Bay
Michele Arbaugh is an experienced appliance procurement professional. She manages the sourcing and processing of both carbon and stainless steel in the NA/Mexico region. Her responsibilities include strategy, cost, budget, forecasting, negotiation, sustainability, risk-mitigation and relationship management. Michele has successfully led the business demonstrating her deep understanding of the steel industry and expertise in category management. She is known for her passion, dedication and continuous pursuit of excellence making her a highly respected leader and mentor at Electrolux. Michele holds a MPA, Environmental Concentration and a BA in Political Science, minoring in Spanish and is a member of AWMI.
Murat Askin is the founder and CEO of StaalX LLC, an e-commerce and international trading company that specializes in trade automation, sales, logistics, and finance optimization. StaalX's mission is to provide value to both buyers and sellers and make transactiona easier. Prior to establishing StallX, Murat served as president and member of the Board of Tata International Metals Americas Limited (TIMAL) based in the greater Chicago, Illinois area. Murat held various prestigious steel management positions at Corus Group, Ferrostaal and Mannesmann prior to joining Tata. He has also served on the boards of various industry associations Murat's career spans 30 years in the steel and metals industry.
Ethan Bernard is a reporter and editor for Steel Market Update. He previously worked for American Metal Market as a copy editor in the New York office for two years starting in 2008. Later, he copy editied AMM's monthly magazine on a freelance basis from 2015-2017. With experience in financial copywriting and textbook publishing, he holds a BA in Comparative Literature from UC Berkeley, and an MFA in Creative Writing from New York University.
Timothy C. Brightbill represents clients on all aspects of international trade law and policy including tariff policy, Section 301 and 232 duties, antidumping and countervailing duty law, renewable energy and climate change policy, digital trade, and customs enforcement matters, among others. Tim is lead counsel to numerous U.S. industries including steel and steel products, steel scrap, solar, mobile access equipment, wood products, and many others. He is recognized as one of the nation's leading lawyers in international trade by major news publications such as Politico, Associated Press, The Washington Post, and Bloomberg law. In addition to his practice, Tim has been an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center for 20 years.
Michael Cowden is editor-in-chief of Steel Market Update. Cowden has covered the steel industry since 2007. He specializes in flat-rolled steel but has also 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, 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 from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.
Excellent forum for information about the economy, industry, and relevant topics to each of our companies. Tremendous networking opportunity as a variety and volume of people attending seek to meet and share information.
Timothy Bilkey, President, VOSS Steel
Found the convention to be informative, effective and purposeful. Believe I can use the information and make better informed decisions. Also made a number of new contacts.
Carol Pacileo, Purchasing Manager, Westman Steel Industries
It feels like a mini SMU Steel Summit which is a good thing. It was my first time attending and I plan on attending again.
Darren DeMange, Global Category Manager, Crown Equipment
Best source of industry information you can find.
Steve Swaney, Business Development, Flack Global Metals
If you are looking to gain insight to the current and future market issues and predictions as well as networking then the Tampa Steel Conference is a must attend.
Kevin Bosley, Regional Manager, Steel Dynamics Inc.
This was my first time attending. It was very informative and a great networking opportunity. I will be back for more events.
Lee Tyler, Director of Supply Chain, Priefert Mfg. Co.
This is a major 'must attend' event.
Walter Kemmsies, Managing Partner, Managing Director, Economist and Chief Strategist Ports Airports, Global Infrastructure JLL
Overall very good content. Great way to hear about differing viewpoints about the industry
Richard Hahn, Marketing and Service Manager, Feralloy Corporation
I find that the TSC gives me a fantastic understanding of the industry forecast and the inputs affecting it so that I am better prepared to manage my business.
Troy Underwood, CEO, Tampa Steel & Supply