The SMU NexGen Leadership Award 2024 - sponsored by SMA, recognizes and celebrates the excellence of emerging leaders within the greater steel community.

The SMU NexGen Leadership Award, sponsored by the Steel Manufacturers Association is awarded to an individual working in manufacturing or fabrication companies that utilize mild carbon or automotive grade steels in their products, steel distributors (service centers or wholesalers), steel mills, trading companies or toll processors.

Qualifications for Nomination:

The NexGen Leadership Award will be awarded to the candidate whose emerging leadership within their company sets a standard for the rest of the industry, and exemplifies the best the industry has to offer in regards to innovation, leadership, and rising star qualities as outlined below.

*Nominate yourself, or colleague for the SMU NexGen Leadership Award. All nominees will be evaluated based on these criteria:

Must 35 years of age or younger by August 1st 2024

• Identified ways to improve processes or service delivery
• Implemented change in a creative manner

• Inspired and encouraged professional and personal development in self and others
• Contributed to the success of an initiative that benefited those outside his/her own department
• Assisted in attracting other young people into the industry

• Recognized by peers as a positive force within the company
• Outstanding contributions toward completing a successful project and/or a change management program

All submissions for nominations are due by May 24, 2024. Any submissions received after this date will not be considered.

The Award:

The NexGen Leadership Award will be bestowed on the candidate whose emerging leadership within his or her company sets a standard for the rest of the industry.

The Final 3 nominees will receive the following:

• Complimentary tickets to the 2024 SMU Steel Summit
• Stipend for airfare and hotel expenses to travel to 2024 SMU Steel Summit

The winner will receive the following:

• A mentorship session with a leading industry CEO
• Recognition in the Steel Market Update newsletter and on the SMU Steel Summit website
• An invitation to attend one of the SMU Steel 101 or SMU Steel 201 workshops (registration fee will be waived)
• An invitation to the 2024 SMU Steel Summit Conference with registration fees waived
• A video of the award being presented
• Recognition in the form of a trophy or plaque which can be proudly displayed on your desk or in your office

Please note:

• The three (3) finalists will be announced by July 8, 2024.
• The award will be judged by a panel of industry leaders and experts selected by Steel Market Update, and the CRU Group and our sponsors.
• The winner and finalists will be chosen before the 2024 SMU Steel Summit Conference.
• Judges will be selected by Steel Market Update and the CRU Group and will be announced 30 days prior to the application deadline.

The SMU NexGen Leadership Award is sponsored by:

The SMU NexGen Leadership Award 2023 - sponsored by SMA and Modern Metals, recognized and celebrated the excellence of emerging leaders within the greater steel community.

For the fifth consecutive year, the NexGen Metals Community granted the SMU NexGen Leadership Award to a deserving nominee. The 2023 nominees were Kyle Bingham of Friedman Industries,  Braden Halley of Priefert Mfg. Co., Inc., and the winner, Daniel Doderer of Flack Global Metals.

The NexGen Leadership Award was presented by Phil Bell of the Steel Manufacturer’s Association, Mike D’Alexander from Modern Metals, Nicola Coslett and John Ball of CRU. In addition to the plaque that was awarded, the winner receives a mentorship experience with Ken Jaycox, CCO & SVP of U.S. Steel, an invitation to attend the Steel 101 workshops at no cost, recognition in the SMU newsletter and on the SMU/CRU websites, an invitation to attend the 2024 SMU Steel Summit Conference with registration fees waived, a video of the award being presented, an invitation to membership in the NEXGEN Metals Community, and was also be featured on the cover of the October 2023 issue of the Modern Metals magazine.

The SMU NexGen Leadership Award 2022 - sponsored by SMA and Modern Metals, recognized and celebrated the excellence of emerging leaders within the greater steel community. 

For the fourth consecutive year, the NexGen Metals Community granted the SMU NexGen Leadership Award to a deserving nominee. The 2022 nominees were Ben Bullock of Flack Global Metals, Robert Donovan from Jemison Metals, and the winner, Austin Reynolds of Ace Steel Supply.

The NexGen Leadership Award was presented by Phil Bell of the Steel Manufacturer’s Association, Mike D’Alexander from Modern Metals, and John Packard of Steel Market Update.

In addition to the plaque that was awarded, the winner receives a mentorship experience with Laurenco Goncalves, CEO of Cleveland-Cliffs, an invitation to attend the Steel 101 workshops at no cost, recognition in the SMU newsletter and on the SMU/CRU websites, an invitation to attend the 2023 SMU Steel Summit Conference with registration fees waived, a video of the award being presented, an invitation to membership in the new NEXGEN Metals Community, and will also be featured on the cover of the October issue of the Modern Metals magazine.

Hear from the 2019 Winner: