BIOGRAPHY

Kiara Nirghin is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Emanate, the Silicon Valley-basedstartup building the first AI revenue engine for industrial materials companies.
As a Stanford AI Lab senior researcher and alum, former Stanford CS instructor, and StanfordInstitute for Human-Centered AI advisor, Kiara has pioneered the use of generative AI in thephysical economy through award-winning real-world deployments. Kiara is a Google ScienceGrand Prize winner for seminal research in AI algorithms, a TIME Magazine Most Influentialhonoree, and named one of the top 100 entrepreneurs in AI.

BIOGRAPHY

Ethan Bernard is managing editor for Steel Market Update. He previously worked for American Metal Market as a copy editor in New York for AMM’s daily publication. He also copy-edited AMM’s monthly magazine. Bernard has experience in financial copywriting and textbook publishing. He also holds a BA in Comparative Literature from UC Berkeley and an MFA in Creative Writing from New York University.

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

Ethan Bernard is managing editor for Steel Market Update. He previously worked for American Metal Market as a copy editor in New York for AMM’s daily publication. He also copy-edited AMM’s monthly magazine. Bernard has experience in financial copywriting and textbook publishing. He also holds a BA in Comparative Literature from UC Berkeley and an MFA in Creative Writing from New York University.

BIOGRAPHY

Michael Cowden is editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. 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, and aluminum. Before joining SMU, Cowden reported for 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 BA in English from the University of Chicago and an MSJ in journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.

BIOGRAPHY

Anirban Basu is the Chairman and CEO of Sage Policy Group, an economic and policy consulting firm headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland with an office in Orlando, Florida.   
In 2014, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan appointed him Chair of the Maryland Economic Development Commission (2014-2021).  He 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.  
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 has been or 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, the B&O Railroad Museum, the Baltimore City Public School System, the Archdiocese of Baltimore School System, First Mariner Bank, 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.  
He has lectured at several universities, including Johns Hopkins University and Goucher College.

BIOGRAPHY

David Schollaert is deputy editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. Schollaert has been in the metals and mining industry since 2009. Before joining SMU in 2020, Schollaert covered steel-making raw materials and ferroalloys for CRU, and more recently held roles as a metals buyer and operations manager for raw material suppliers in Pittsburgh and Montreal.

BIOGRAPHY

Michael Cowden is editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. 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, and aluminum. Before joining SMU, Cowden reported for 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 BA in English from the University of Chicago and an MSJ in journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.

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

Kevin Dempsey is the president and CEO of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), a leading advocacy group representing integrated and electric arc furnace steelmakers, steel pipe and tube manufacturers and steel processors and fabricators, reflecting the production and distribution of both carbon and stainless steels. He has been with AISI since 2009. Under Dempsey’s executive leadership, the AISI has achieved numerous policy successes, promoted the American steel industry’s global leadership on decarbonization and showcased steel innovations. Dempsey has been featured in dozens of national, regional and trade media and is a regular speaker at industry and advocacy events. Before joining AISI, Dempsey was a partner at Dewey & LeBoeuf where he led numerous international trade cases on behalf of American steel producers and other U.S. industries.

BIOGRAPHY

Philip K. Bell, CAE, is president and CEO of the Washington, D.C.-based Steel Manufacturers Association.  
Before joining SMA as president in 2013, Phil served as director of external communications and public affairs for Gerdau North America.  
Mr. Bell serves on the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Advisory Committee on Steel (ITAC 11).  
He is a board member of the American Society of Safety Professionals, the American Society of Association Executives, and the Global Steel Climate Council and a trustee at Hamline University.  
Phil is a member of the National Association of Manufacturing’s Council of Manufacturing Associations and the Association of Iron & Steel Technology.

BIOGRAPHY

Ezequiel Tavernelli is Argentine, an industrial engineer and has a Management Development Program completed at the IAE Business School. He also holds a Master's degree from the Wharton School. He developed his career within the Techint Group since 1997, holding commercial and planning positions for Ternium Argentina. Likewise, he led the ProPymes Program for more than 15 years. Since June 2024, he has been the executive director of Alacero, with the mission of contributing to the strengthening of networks throughout the value chain and providing solutions for the Latin American steel industry.

BIOGRAPHY

Lewis Leibowitz practices international trade law in Washington, D.C.  His practice focuses on the impact of government action on manufacturers and consumers.  He speaks and writes frequently on international trade legal and policy issues and represents clients before federal and global tribunals and governments. 
Lewis has successfully handled trade issues involving the steel and automotive industries, textiles, energy, technology and other sectors.  He provides strategic advice on issues affecting trade in industries such as steel, automotive, textiles and shipping.  The challenges and opportunities in the new trade environment focus his practice.

BIOGRAPHY

As Head of Consulting - Americas, Lynn is focused on guiding the CRU Consulting team to bring exceptional insight into strategic questions to companies with interests in the mining, metals and fertilizer related industries throughout North and South America. 
Lynn is focused on working with customers to develop and execute projects related to important and strategic issues such as market analysis, strategy development, risk assessment, as well as valuation services and negotiation support.
She has worked for over 25 years with domestic as well as international manufacturers (primarily in the metals and mining industries) determining strategic growth opportunities as well as on issues such as market assessment/forecasting, capital investment plans, marketing and competitive strategy.
Lynn holds a BSBA and a Certificate in International Business from Duquesne University.

BIOGRAPHY

Michael Cowden is editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. 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, and aluminum. Before joining SMU, Cowden reported for 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 BA in English from the University of Chicago and an MSJ in journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.

BIOGRAPHY

Noah Hanners serves as Executive Vice President of Sheet Products for Nucor Corporation, one of North America's leading steel and steel products companies. Since joining Nucor in 2011 as a Melt Shop Engineer at Nucor Steel South Carolina, Noah has held a series of leadership roles across the company's steelmaking, tubular products, and raw materials businesses. Over the course of his career with Nucor, Noah has led operations at Nucor Steel Auburn, Independence Tube Corporation, Nucor Steel Kankakee, and The David J. Joseph Company, Nucor's wholly owned scrap recycling subsidiary. In 2023, he was named Executive Vice President of Raw Materials before assuming his current role as Executive Vice President of Sheet Products in May 2024. Before joining Nucor, Noah served as a Major in the United States Army, bringing a strong foundation of leadership and operational excellence to his career in manufacturing.

BIOGRAPHY

David Schollaert is deputy editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. Schollaert has been in the metals and mining industry since 2009. Before joining SMU in 2020, Schollaert covered steel-making raw materials and ferroalloys for CRU, and more recently held roles as a metals buyer and operations manager for raw material suppliers in Pittsburgh and Montreal.

BIOGRAPHY

As an experienced economist, Taylor St. Germain provides consulting services for small businesses, trade associations, and Fortune 500 companies across a spectrum of industries. Taylor specializes in forecasting at both the market and company levels and is a key contributor to maintaining ITR Economics’ forecast accuracy rating of 94.7%.

His dynamic personality and extensive knowledge of economic trends and their business relevance are highly valued by clients and colleagues alike.

Taylor spent time in the tech industry providing market intelligence to electronics OEMs, semiconductor companies, and component manufacturers. In his five years with ITR Economics, he has worked with various distributors, manufacturers, and producers, helping each client navigate the business cycle and optimize their corporate planning strategy. Taylor has also spent several years in Texas furthering his research in the industrial sector, with a specific focus on oil and gas.

Taylor earned his bachelor’s degree in statistics from the University of Vermont and is finishing a master’s degree in applied economics at Southern New Hampshire University. He has been featured in OEM Magazine, NALP, Lawn and Landscape, and on the Fab Lab and Wealth Formula podcasts.

BIOGRAPHY

David Schollaert is deputy editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. Schollaert has been in the metals and mining industry since 2009. Before joining SMU in 2020, Schollaert covered steel-making raw materials and ferroalloys for CRU, and more recently held roles as a metals buyer and operations manager for raw material suppliers in Pittsburgh and Montreal.

BIOGRAPHY

Logan Wetekamp is a Senior Buyer at Scout Motors, where he has led the development and execution of the company's steel and aluminum flat-rolled procurement strategy from the ground up. Since joining Scout in April 2025, he has established supplier partnerships, led commercial negotiations, and built the sourcing framework supporting vehicle programs. Previously, Logan spent 10 years at Ford Motor Company, beginning as a Materials Engineer specializing in steel and aluminum before transitioning to Raw Materials Purchasing. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Minnesota.

BIOGRAPHY

Barry Zekelman 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 grew from $1.5 million in revenue in 1986 to over $1.2 billion by 2006.
In October 2006, John Maneely Company, a maker of steel tubing that was owned by privateequity 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 family purchased back Carlyle’s 55% interest in JMC. Then, in June of 2016, the company was renamed Zekelman Industries.
Today, Zekelman Industries, the parent of Atlas Tube, Wheatland Tube, Western Tube, Sharon Tube, Picoma, Z Modular and Hayes Modular, produces over 2.4 million steel tons per year in 20plants, manufactures and builds over 1,500 multi-family residential apartments, and employs over 2,900 people throughout the United States and Canada. Zekelman Industries maintains the #1market position in North America in HSS, standard pipe, electrical conduit and electrical fittings with sales in excess of $5 billion annually. Barry is currently the Executive Chairman and CEO of Zekelman Industries and responsible for taking the company to new heights.

BIOGRAPHY

Michael Cowden is editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. 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, and aluminum. Before joining SMU, Cowden reported for 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 BA in English from the University of Chicago and an MSJ in journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.

BIOGRAPHY

Chris Graham is the SVP of Steel Dynamics' Flat Rolled Steel Group. He is responsible for the company's flat rolled steel operations, including three steel mills and numerous processing, coating, and distribution operations.  
He held the position of SVP, Long Products from 2019-2024 and was the SVP, Downstream Manufacturing from 2013-2019.  
Chris has been with Steel Dynamics since 1994 and was part of the teams that constructed the Flat Rolled and Structural and Rail steel mills. Before joining SDI, he spent 10 years at Nucor.  
Mr. Graham holds an MBA from the University of Saint Francis in Indiana.

BIOGRAPHY

Ethan Bernard is managing editor for Steel Market Update. He previously worked for American Metal Market as a copy editor in New York for AMM’s daily publication. He also copy-edited AMM’s monthly magazine. Bernard has experience in financial copywriting and textbook publishing. He also holds a BA in Comparative Literature from UC Berkeley and an MFA in Creative Writing from New York University.

BIOGRAPHY

David Schollaert is deputy editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. Schollaert has been in the metals and mining industry since 2009. Before joining SMU in 2020, Schollaert covered steel-making raw materials and ferroalloys for CRU, and more recently held roles as a metals buyer and operations manager for raw material suppliers in Pittsburgh and Montreal.

BIOGRAPHY

David Schollaert is deputy editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. Schollaert has been in the metals and mining industry since 2009. Before joining SMU in 2020, Schollaert covered steel-making raw materials and ferroalloys for CRU, and more recently held roles as a metals buyer and operations manager for raw material suppliers in Pittsburgh and Montreal.

BIOGRAPHY

Mark Strand is Senior Director of Economic Industry Insights for Cox Automotive, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Cox Enterprises. Cox Automotive includes Manheim North America and consumer-facing media properties Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book, as well as a suite of companies that provide software tools to help dealers and manufacturers manage their inventory and advertising online.  
In his role Mark is responsible for tracking market trends that drive the shifts in automotive industry. Mark keeps an eye on the pulse of the automotive industry in all aspects, from economic, financial and demographic trends impacting vehicle demand to consumer trends impacting the way we shop for, buy and own vehicles.  
Prior to joining Cox Automotive, Mark was a Market Analyst with the National Automobile Dealers Association and was formerly with IHS Automotive, providing analytical products and industry insights to OEMs. He has seen the industry from the dealer, OEM and vendor perspectives.

BIOGRAPHY

David Schollaert is deputy editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. Schollaert has been in the metals and mining industry since 2009. Before joining SMU in 2020, Schollaert covered steel-making raw materials and ferroalloys for CRU, and more recently held roles as a metals buyer and operations manager for raw material suppliers in Pittsburgh and Montreal.

BIOGRAPHY

Eric Gaus is Chief Economist at Dodge Construction Network, where he directs economic research. He brings over 15 years of experience in academia and the private sector, creating macroeconomic models and producing research on critical issues for the global economy. Prior to joining Dodge, Eric was a Director at Moody’s, where he managed the development and maintenance of their global forecasting model and served as the product manager of their country risk service. He received his PhD from the University of Oregon and spent several years teaching at small liberal arts colleges. While in academia, Eric published articles on the role of expectation formation in macroeconomics and finance.

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

Michael Cowden is editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. 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, and aluminum. Before joining SMU, Cowden reported for 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 BA in English from the University of Chicago and an MSJ in journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.

BIOGRAPHY

Jodi started her professional journey in 1998 at Tuscaloosa Steel (now Nucor Tuscaloosa) as an Inside Sales Representative until she joined O’Neal Steel as a purchasing specialist in 1999. She continued to develop in Supply Chain Management until appointed Vice President of Supply Chain Management, joining the O’Neal Steel leadership team. 2023 brought new challenges when she was promoted to Chief Operating Officer with additional responsibility of both supply chain and operations.  
Jodi graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in Marketing, and has served on various boards supporting Breakthrough T1D and local community initiatives.

BIOGRAPHY

David Schollaert is deputy editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. Schollaert has been in the metals and mining industry since 2009. Before joining SMU in 2020, Schollaert covered steel-making raw materials and ferroalloys for CRU, and more recently held roles as a metals buyer and operations manager for raw material suppliers in Pittsburgh and Montreal.

BIOGRAPHY

Ilse Henne is a member of the Executive Board of thyssenkrupp AG and the Chief Executive Officer of tk accelis. She serves as well as the Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board of thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG. She began her career at thyssenkrupp in 1999. She holds a Master’s degree in linguistics and literature at Ghent University followed by advanced business management studies.

BIOGRAPHY

 Thad Solomon serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Steel Technologies; a value-added metals processor with 30+ locations across the USA, Canada, and Mexico.  Prior to joining Steel Technologies in 2020, Thad spent 25 years at Nucor Corporation in a variety of leadership roles from Metallurgist to Operations Manager, to General Manager, and Vice President - at 5 different mills including Berkeley, Memphis, Decatur, Texas, and Nucor Yamato Steel Company.  Prior to Nucor, Thad began his metals career as a Process Metallurgist at United States Steel.  Thad earned a B.S. degree in Materials Engineering – Metallurgy from the University of Florida. 

BIOGRAPHY

George Adams is CEO & President of SA Recycling, located in Anaheim, California. He has been in the recycled materials business since 1977. Originally started by George’s father over 50 years ago as a single scrap metal facility in Anaheim, Adams Steel merged with Sims Metal Management in September of 2007 to form SA Recycling. SA Recycling now has more than 150  locations in sixteen states with over 4,000 employees, 25 shredders, and will process over 6 million tons of recycled metals annually.
Mr. Adams is an attorney who earned his Juris Doctor degree from Western State University in 1984. He is a member of the American, California, and Orange County Bar Associations.
George Adams served as Chairman of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc.(now known as ReMA) from April 2008 until May of 2010 and still sits on its Board of Directors. The Recycling Materials Association. (ReMA) is the private, non-profit trade association that is the "Voice of the Recycling Industry." Based in Washington, D.C., ReMA represents more than 1,600 private, for-profit companies that process, broker, and industrially consume recycled commodities.
George is author of the book Create the Connection: 25 Surefire Strategies for Success  in Leadership and Life. The book is based on his 50 years of discovering what  works  and what doesn't, George Adams shares the practical wisdom, personal philosophies, and life lessons that have helped him build a small family scrap yard into  the largest scrap company in the country.

BIOGRAPHY

Ethan Bernard is managing editor for Steel Market Update. He previously worked for American Metal Market as a copy editor in New York for AMM’s daily publication. He also copy-edited AMM’s monthly magazine. Bernard has experience in financial copywriting and textbook publishing. He also holds a BA in Comparative Literature from UC Berkeley and an MFA in Creative Writing from New York University.

BIOGRAPHY

Michael Cowden is editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. 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, and aluminum. Before joining SMU, Cowden reported for 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 BA in English from the University of Chicago and an MSJ in journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.

BIOGRAPHY

Rob Simon is Chief Executive Officer of JSW Steel USA. At JSW Steel he runs a platform which integrates an EAF Consteel melt shop at Mingo Junction, Ohio, with an HRC rolling facility in Brackenridge, Pennsylvania, in a tolling agreement with ATI as well as a plate and pipe rolling facility in Baytown, Texas, He is overseeing more than $240 million in upgrades that will enable the company to supply domestic melted steel to all its rolling facilities. Rob is a 30+ year veteran of the steel industry and has been with JSW since March of 2024, after working two decades with Oregon Steel Mills and Evraz as well as Steel Dynamics and Bayou Steel. Rob has served on the SMA Board and executive committee for many years.

BIOGRAPHY

Jeff Moskaluk is senior vice president and chief commercial officer of SSAB Americas, a leading steel plate producer in North America. Jeff joined SSAB (formerly IPSCO) in July 1990 and moved through the organization with increasing responsibility in the areas of operations, sales, marketing, mill scheduling, business planning, market analytics, trade, government relations, and communications.  
Jeff was promoted to the role of vice president and chief commercial officer. In October of 2017 he was named senior vice president. Jeff's current responsibilities include oversight of SSAB Americas commercial activities including sales and marketing, commercial data and market analytics, trade compliance and litigation, and SSAB Americas’ business unit teams.

BIOGRAPHY

Since 2007, Rick Preckel has been co-owner of Preston Publishing Company, a consultancy which has been helping improve business performance of participants in the steel pipe and tube industry by providing data, forecasts, actionable insights and analyses through subscription and custom-designed reports. Rick started his tenure in the pipe and tube industry in 1985 when he joined a pipe and tube manufacturing firm which grew into one of the largest in the country.                                                              
Roles included subsidiary CEO and VP Investor Relations and Business Development, among others. Rick is a graduate of the University of Missouri with a BS in Business.

BIOGRAPHY

With decades of leadership experience in steel manufacturing, Doyle Hopper is an executive guided by his core belief that people always come first. As the President of Oregon Steel Mills (OSM) and a member of Orion Steel’s Executive Leadership Team, Doyle oversees all operations at the company’s heavy plate mill located in Portland, OR. Doyle previously spent 28 years with Nucor Corporation, rising from entry-level roles to Vice President and General Manager.

BIOGRAPHY

Michael Cowden is editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. 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, and aluminum. Before joining SMU, Cowden reported for 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 BA in English from the University of Chicago and an MSJ in journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.