BIOGRAPHY

Brian joined the consulting division in April 2023, based in Pittsburgh.

Before coming to CRU, he spent over thirty years at United States Steel (USS), where he worked in various roles, including R&D, IT/ERP, Business Planning, Supply Chain, Marketing, Economics and Revenue Management.

Most of his time was spent in Pittsburgh, with a stint in Košice, Slovakia, to migrate the North American business planning systems to USS Europe. Brian was the USS representative to the American Iron and Steel Association (AISI), where he was chair of the commercial marketing committee, and the Worldsteel Association, where he was on the Economic and Economic Forecasting committees. Before U. S. Steel, Brian worked at Alcoa in the R&D function.

Brian holds an MS in Industrial Engineering and Bachelor's degrees in Chemistry and Computer Science, all from the University of Pittsburgh.

BIOGRAPHY

Ryan joined CRU in 2018 and is now the editor of the Steel Sheet Monitor. He also forecasts North American prices, production, demand, and trade for sheet and plate products in CRU's Steel Sheet and Plate Market Outlooks.

Ryan has eight years of experience in steel market analytics, covering markets from steel metallics, steel long products, stainless steel, and now steel sheet and plate markets. Prior to joining CRU, he covered a variety of local North American scrap markets at Argus Media.

He holds a BA in Political Science from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado, and an MA in Energy Politics in Eurasia from European University located in Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation. Ryan is based in Denver, Colorado.

BIOGRAPHY

Michael Cowden is a Managing 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

BIOGRAPHY

Michael Cowden is a Managing 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

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

Michael Cowden is a Managing 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

Anirban Basu is Chairman & CEO of Sage Policy Group, Inc., a Baltimore-based economic and policy consultancy he founded in 2004.  He serves the Chief Economist function for many organizations, including the Maryland Bankers Association and Associated Builders and Contractors.  The Baltimore Business Journal named him one of the region’s 20 most powerful business leaders in 2010.  In 2022, he entered the Daily Record newspaper’s Circle of Influence.  He is the Distinguished Economist in Residence at Goucher College, where he teaches History of Economic Thought.  He holds four graduate degrees, including a J.D. and a Ph.D.

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

BIOGRAPHY

Rich Wrightington is the Executive Director -Sourcing for Metals, Plastics and Packaging at GE Appliances located in Louisville Kentucky. He is responsible for $1.3B in total direct spend and the associated commodity and supplier strategies in support of 8 Appliance manufacturing sites.

Rich started his 31-year career with GE Appliances in the Edison Engineering Program. For the first half of his career Rich held several roles of greater responsibility in Six Sigma and Manufacturing including Plant Manager – Dishwasher Operations. In 2005 Rich transitioned to Sourcing and has held various Executive Leadership Roles for Dishwasher, Laundry, Capital Equipment and currently Metals, Plastics and Packaging.          

Rich attended the University of Louisville and graduated with a B.S. degree in Industrial Engineering in 1991 and received his Masters in Industrial Engineering from UofL in 1992.    

BIOGRAPHY

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

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 Managing 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

BIOGRAPHY

Alan Kestenbaum has extensive investing and operating experience in the natural resources sector as well as a successful track record in turnarounds and restructurings. He currently serves as Executive Chairman and CEO, responsible for our strategic direction and growth initiatives, and previously served as our CEO from July 2017 to February 2019. Mr. Kestenbaum founded Bedrock Industries in 2015, in partnership with Lindsay Goldberg, where he is its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for setting the vision, strategy, investment objectives and providing direction to achieve the strategic objectives of the company.

Mr. Kestenbaum  was previously the Executive Chairman and founder of Globe Specialty Metals and Executive Chairman of Ferroglobe PLC (NASDAQ: GSM).  Prior to forming Globe Specialty Metals, Mr. Kestenbaum founded Marco International, a leading international metals trader and investor, and led its expansion in North America and around the globe. Prior to founding Marco International, he was employed by Glencore and then Philipp Brothers. In 2019 he became a minority owner and limited partner of the Atlanta Falcons. He has a BA in Economics from Yeshiva University and has been involved in numerous educational and communal boards.

BIOGRAPHY

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

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

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

Geoff Gilmore became President and CEO of Worthington Steel in December 2023 as part of the planned separation of Worthington Steel from Worthington Industries. Prior to that, Gilmore served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Worthington Industries.

Mr. Gilmore joined the company in 1998 as an Inside Sales Representative for the Steel Processing segment. During his 25-year tenure Mr. Gilmore took on several leadership roles, including Vice President of Purchasing and President of Worthington Industries’ 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. Mr. Gilmore earned his bachelor’s degree from Valparaiso University and his MBA from The University of Michigan.    

BIOGRAPHY

Pam Heglund serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Mill Steel Company, one of the largest privately-owned companies in Michigan, and one of the nation’s leading steel service centers. Known for her dynamic leadership, Pam brings a commercial mindset and a commitment to fostering an award-winning culture. Her leadership style prioritizes communication and collaboration, uniting Mill Steel’s 400+ associates in the pursuit of the company’s shared vision to lead the industry in customer experience. 

Pam has played a pivotal role in establishing Mill Steel as an industry leader, contributing to the development of its substantial business portfolio over the course of her career. Her commercial expertise led to her appointment as Partner and Vice President of Sales, and in 2016, she ascended to the role of President with a consistent track record of driving growth. With over 18 years of executive leadership experience, Pam assumed the position of CEO in 2021, becoming the third-generation steel leader of the Samrick family.

Shortly thereafter, Mill Steel earned certification as an Exceptional Women's Business Enterprise (EWBE) with revenue exceeding $1.45 billion, placing the company among the top 2% largest WBEs in the United States.

BIOGRAPHY

Thad Solomon has been the President and CEO at Steel Technologies since 2021; he has served as Chief Operating Officer since August, 2020.  Prior to joining Steel Technologies in 2020, Thad held various leadership positions in the U.S. steel industry.

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 Managing 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.