Agenda

Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Development,  Mobius Risk Group

Drew serves as VP of Strategy and Corporate Development at Mobius Risk Group, where he leads the Metals, Mining, and Environmental Products Practices. Drew joined Mobius from AK Steel, where he was responsible for the build out and leadership of AK’s financial hedging and risk management functions. In addition, Drew led multiple acquisitions and divestitures, financial oversight of subsidiaries and international operations, and served on the Boards of several metals processing and service center businesses. Prior to AKS, Drew spent 15 years as a commodities trader and executive, including leading both renewable power and carbon trading desks.

Director,  Flack Global Metals
Brad is Director of Metal Bank, the financial service arm of Flack Global Metals. He is responsible for Carbon, Dry Bulk Freight and Iron ore trading. Recently, he spent several years as Head of Risk Management at Big River Steel. Prior to that he traded both physical and financial commodities for twenty years at several major international trading companies. He is a former contributor to a steel market update.

Manager Metals Products,  CME Group
Alex Alcantara has been with CME Group for over 5 years and is based in Chicago, IL. He manages the Industrial Metals Products business line covering the Americas.

CEO,  Flack Global Metals
Jeremy Flack is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Flack Global Metals (FGM). FGM is an innovative domestic flat-rolled metals distributor and supply chain manager, an international commodities trader, and a global hedge fund. As CEO, Jeremy has been an industry leader in bringing the physical steel market and the derivatives markets together within one organization. FGM is the first flat rolled metals distributor business platform to combine physical material with financial futures, all with the goal of creating certainty for its customers as well as FGM itself.

With his uncommon combination of financial services acumen and in-depth metals knowledge, Jeremy has long been an outspoken pioneer in his public support of risk management and hedging to bring certainty to an industry well known for its pricing volatility. Jeremy was first introduced to the steel industry while a commercial banker with PNC Bank. After that role, he served as the Chief Financial Officer of a small manufacturing business and saw firsthand the impact of raw materials prices on a company’s balance sheet. His career in the steel industry began in 1998 as a salesperson for a small steel distributor in Cleveland, Ohio where he rose to part owner in 2006 and President in 2009. In 2010, Jeremy founded Flack Steel, which became Flack Global Metals in 2016.

Jeremy has his MBA from Cleveland State University and his undergraduate degree in Finance from Miami (Ohio) University. He is a graduate of the Counsel of Smaller Enterprises Strategic Planning course and National Outdoor Leadership School.

Managing Partner & Principal,  Ferrosource LLC / Ferrometrics LLC
Daniel Bain is Managing Partner, Principal, and co-founder at Ferrosource LLC and at Ferrometrics LLC. Ferrosource works with major manufacturers throughout North America to competitively manage steel sourcing, processing, servicing and financing. Ferrometrics is a global leader in trading steel futures and has been a market maker for steel futures for the CME, LME and NASDAQ. In addition to actively managing its principals' funds, Ferrometrics works with clients to manage ferrous hedging and trading.
Daniel has been a senior executive in the steel and finance industries for over 20 years. He was previously CFO Americas at Uttam Galva Steels Limited, an Indian steel manufacturer. Daniel was also CEO of Galvex, a steel company in Estonia sold to Arcelor Mittal in 2007. Daniel is a Board Member of Aquantum Group, a systematic futures trading fund based in Europe. Daniel graduated with honors from the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley with a specialization in finance, has a law degree from Loyola Law School Los Angeles, and is a member of the California Bar.

Ferrous Trading Manager,  StoneX Financial Inc.
Spencer is a 14 year veteran in the world of steel futures, all of them with StoneX Financial Inc. – FCM Division. Over that time StoneX has worked with every type of market participant to formulate risk management and trading strategies for steel derivatives. StoneX has also worked tirelessly to grow liquidity and provide access to new ferrous markets for its clients. Spencer is also one of the longest serving members of the London Metal Exchange’s steel committee.

Steel Trader,  Goldman Sachs

Managing Principal,  Crowe
Tony Barnes is the Managing Principal for the metals industry vertical at Crowe. His experience includes helping companies across the metals supply chain evaluate operational and information technology to support business transformation. In this role, he works with leaders across the firm to sell and deliver industry-specific technology, advisory, and accounting solutions to the metals industry.

Global Partner Solutions - Cloud Security Architect,  Microsoft
David is a Global Partner Solutions Architect, covering security, compliance and identity at Microsoft.  In this role, David is responsible for helping train partners on the latest security products and ensuring that they are able to build solutions they can take to market for their customers. David has been with Microsoft for 14 years, in a variety of roles from consultant to Premier Field Engineer and most recently, supporting partners. David is a certification junkie and holds numerous security certifications, including GCWN, GCED, GDAT, GMOB, GCIH, GISP, GSEC, GSOC, CISSP, CCSP and MCT.

Partner,  Crowe
Jay Reid is a principal with the consulting group at Crowe. He has nearly 15 years of experience building effective and sustainable governance, risk, and compliance programs in the financial services industry as well as in the public sector, for retail dealers, and in the healthcare industry. Jay optimizes the combination of people, processes, and technology to help clients maximize the return on investment of their programs.

President and CEO,  Steel Market Update
John Packard is the President and CEO of Steel Market Update, part of CRU Group. Mr Packard spent 31 years actively selling steel in the service center, trading company and steel mill segments of the industry. He founded Steel Market Update in 2004 as a way of communicating with his customers. In 2008, Steel Market Update was incorporated as a provider of market intelligence to the steel industry and, in 2018, the company was purchased by the CRU Group. Mr Packard is a frequent speaker at industry and financial events. He is also the founder of the SMU Steel 101, Managing Price Risk and custom steel training workshops. He also founded the SMU Steel Summit Conference, which has become the leading steel conference in North America.

Senior Editor,  Steel Market Update (SMU)
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.

Author, Columnist, Keynote Speaker, Business Expert,  The Marks Group
A past columnist for both The New York Times and The Washington Post, Gene now writes regularly for The Hill, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Forbes, Inc. Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazine and The Guardian.
 
Gene 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 and MSNBC as well as The John Batchelor Show 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.

Senior Advisor,  GFG Alliance

Michael has most of his years in international commodity trading. Managing Director and Board member since 1987of various companies. Private, joint ventures, and public companies. Early on he worked with countertrade and barter between Scandinavia and Soviet Union and moved to Switzerland in 1988.

Transacted business world- wide. Acquired and operated own private international steel trading company 2000-2006 Novosteel SA. By 2007 this Swiss company was 75pct owned by Nucor and 25pct by Michael and worked seven years with Nucor Corp as Managing Director of Nucor Trading SA, Switzerland.

He re-located to Dubai, UAE June 2015, becoming Judge for Standard & Poors/ Platts Global Metals Award 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022.

CEO and Officer of Liberty Steel USA 2018, 2019, 2020 Presently member of the GFG Alliance Global Advisory Board.
GFG is a privately owned industrial group invested in and operations in steel, aluminum, mining, and energy with approx. 35,000 employees world-wide.

Michael is Swedish, educated in USA and Sweden and presently resides in Dubai

President/CEO/EVP,  SSAB Special Steels

- President Uddeholm, Sweden

- President Leshan-Scana, China

- VP, Outokumpu, Sweden

- Professor at Luleå University

- Doctorate in Material Science, Karlstad University Master’s degree in Physics, Karlstad University, MBA, Stockholm School of Economics

Principal Analyst,  CRU
Panos is CRU’s lead stainless steel market analyst and Editor of Stainless Steel Flat Products Market Outlook and Stainless Steel Flat Products Monitor.

Panos started his career in commercial roles with copper and aluminium fabricators in the 2000s. He joined CRU in 2008 as a copper demand and wire & cable analyst. Panos moved to CRU’s NiSSSA team (Nickel, Stainless Steel and Special Alloys) in 2011, assuming the lead analyst role for cobalt and molybdenum. In 2015, Panos moved on to Rio Tinto Copper focusing on marketing intelligence analysis in the space of copper by-products, especially molybdenum. He rejoined CRU in 2018. Panos holds a first degree in Economics, an MSc in Finance and Commodities, and an MBA.

President and CEO,  Steel Market Update
John Packard is the President and CEO of Steel Market Update, part of CRU Group. Mr Packard spent 31 years actively selling steel in the service center, trading company and steel mill segments of the industry. He founded Steel Market Update in 2004 as a way of communicating with his customers. In 2008, Steel Market Update was incorporated as a provider of market intelligence to the steel industry and, in 2018, the company was purchased by the CRU Group. Mr Packard is a frequent speaker at industry and financial events. He is also the founder of the SMU Steel 101, Managing Price Risk and custom steel training workshops. He also founded the SMU Steel Summit Conference, which has become the leading steel conference in North America.

Chairman President and CEO,  Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.
Lourenco Goncalves was appointed Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. in August 2014. Since joining the company, he has implemented and has been executing a strategic initiative designed to strengthen Cliffs’ position as a major player in the U.S. steel industry.

Mr Goncalves brings more than 30 years of experience in the metals and mining industries, as well as extensive Board experience, in the United States and abroad. Prior to Cliffs, he served as Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Metals USA Holdings Corp. for over 10 years. Prior to Metals USA, Mr Goncalves served as President and Chief Executive Officer of California Steel Industries, Inc. from March 1998 to February 2003. Prior to that, he was employed by Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional (CSN), where he held several positions in operations and sales. Mr. Goncalves served as a board member of Ascometal SAS, a manufacturer of special steel headquartered in Paris, France, from October 2011 to April 2014.

He currently serves on the Board of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Mr Goncalves is a Distinguished Member and Fellow of the Association for Iron & Steel Technology (AIST). In 2019, he was the recipient of the Crain’s C-Suite CEO award for his contributions, community commitments and outstanding professional performances in Northeast Ohio.

Mr Goncalves earned a Master of Science degree in Metallurgical Engineering from the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Belo Horizonte, Brazil and a Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering from the Military Institute of Engineering in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Senior Editor,  Steel Market Update (SMU)
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.

President and CEO,  Steel Market Update
John Packard is the President and CEO of Steel Market Update, part of CRU Group. Mr Packard spent 31 years actively selling steel in the service center, trading company and steel mill segments of the industry. He founded Steel Market Update in 2004 as a way of communicating with his customers. In 2008, Steel Market Update was incorporated as a provider of market intelligence to the steel industry and, in 2018, the company was purchased by the CRU Group. Mr Packard is a frequent speaker at industry and financial events. He is also the founder of the SMU Steel 101, Managing Price Risk and custom steel training workshops. He also founded the SMU Steel Summit Conference, which has become the leading steel conference in North America.

Senior Editor,  Steel Market Update (SMU)
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.

Executive Director, GPSC Central Operations,  General Motors
Tommy Hosea is executive director of GPSC Central Operations at General Motors, a position he has held since April 2022. Tommy is responsible for creating and executing strategies that will ensure a resilient and sustainable value chain for GM’s raw material and Customer Care and Aftersales activities around the world. He also oversees the Customer Care and Aftersales Purchasing team, Value Chain Engineering and Cost Knowledge Management team, and Global Purchasing and Supply Chain Raw Materials team.
Prior to this role, Tommy was director of Program Purchasing Management. In this role, he was responsible for EBIT and material cost metrics for all of GM’s current and future electric and autonomous vehicle programs and their corresponding electrification propulsion systems. He and his team developed and executed purchasing strategies that reduced material cost and improved earnings for the company.
Tommy joined GM in 2004 as a buyer within the Global Purchasing and Supply Chain (GPSC) organization. Since then, he has held several roles in GPSC with increasing responsibility, including deputy senior manager, Interior, Thermal, Electrical and New Energy for SAIC-GM in China; director of Electric Vehicles and Electrification Propulsion Program Management; and director of Global Seating.
Tommy holds a master’s degree in Manufacturing Operations from Kettering University and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

Senior Editor,  Steel Market Update (SMU)
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.

Trade Attorney,  The Law Office of Lewis E. Leibowitz
Lewis Leibowitz is a prominent international trade and customs attorney based in Washington, D.C. He advises clients on international trade opportunities and challenges dealing with domestic and international law and government policy. He speaks and writes frequently on international trade legal and policy issues. Lewis has long experience with international trade matters involving government regulations, administrative and judicial proceedings. He has worked on trade issues involving the steel industry, the automotive industry, textiles, agriculture and many other industries. A well-known champion of “consuming industries,” he has worked to guide coalitions aimed at reducing trade barriers, whether imposed by presidential action or administrative decisions. Lewis is a past Chairman of the National Association of Foreign Trade Zones (NAFTZ) and assisted in the creation of the World Free Zones Organization (WFZO). He is an acknowledged leader in foreign trade zone law and policy.

President,  CSN LLC

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.

Managing Director,  Metrading International AG
Jose F. Gasca began his career in international trade and finance at the age of 19 when he joined the Mexican Ex-im Bank (Bancomext). Three years later, he worked for AHMSA, the largest integrated steel mill in Mexico, where he spent seven years in marketing, sales, production and technical development. During this time, Jose worked for two years in Brussels, Belgium, seconded to the International Iron and Steel Institute, now World Steel Association as The World Steel Fellow.

In 2002 Jose joined German steel trading house Man Ferrostaal in Long Beach, California and then in Houston, Texas. In 2005 Jose was invited to join Coutinho Caro & Co. (CCC Steel) and moved to Hamburg, Germany where he became Managing Director for Flat Products with global responsibilities. In 2008, Jose had an active role in the merger of CCC Steel with Ferrostaal, and continued as Managing Director of the new organization, Coutinho & Ferrostaal based in Germany.

In 2012 he was invited to join the Turkish steel group Colakoglu, with the objective of opening a U.S. based subsidiary that would exclusively distribute the mill's products, and other materials from Turkey into North America. in 2016 Jose joined the Swiss based steel trading house Metrading International AG as Managing Director.

Today, Jose Gasca is based in Lugano, Switzerland and Scottsdale, Arizona, USA. Jose is Vice Chairman of AMSCI (formerly AIIS) and also is a member of the board of Urbix Resources, a company focused on developing high end graphite alternatives for EV batteries and other clean energy solutions.

Founder and CEO,  StaalX LLC
Mr. Murat Askin is the founder and CEO of recently established StaalX LLC, an e-commerce and international trading company that specializes in trade automation, and sales, logistics and finance optimization.  StaalX's one mission is to provide value to both buyers and sellers and make the transactions easier. 
 
Prior to joining StaalX, Murat Askin has been the head of metals trading for the multinational conglomerate Tata Group in the Americas region.  He has served as the president and member of the board of Tata International Metals Americas Limited (TIMAL) based in the greater Chicago, Illinois area.  TIMAL specializes in physical import and export of metal products within the Americas and it is one of the largest and most recognized steel trading companies with a global network.  Since joining Tata he has more than doubled the volume and tripled the sales and vastly diversified the products and geographies.  TIMAL now handles 15 major product lines including all major long, flat and tubular products.
 
Mr. Askin held various prestigious steel management positions prior to joining TIMAL.  He has also served on the boards of industry associations.  His career extends close to 30 years in the steel and metals industry.  

Senior Editor,  Steel Market Update (SMU)
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.

President,  Steel Research Associates, LLC
Paul Lowrey is the President and Founder of Steel Research Associates, LLC. He has been in the steel industry for 30 years and provides management consulting services to steel producers, service centers, end-users, and the financial community. Prior to steel, Paul worked in the energy industry for 10 years. In addition to his consulting work, Paul is a guest speaker at industry conferences and writes articles for industry trade publications. Paul holds a BA from Grove City College near Pittsburgh and an MBA from Northeastern University in Boston.

President,  PGT Trucking, Inc.
Gregg Troian is the President of PGT Trucking, Inc., a multi-service transportation firm offering flatbed, dedicated, international and specialized services. Headquartered in Aliquippa, PA, PGT is the leader in progressive freight transportation and fleet evolution. PGT operates in excess of 1,000 power units and over 1,500 trailers, exceeding customer expectations with a strong focus on the Future of Flatbed.

His career includes over 43 years of experience in transportation, and 36 of those years with PGT Trucking. Throughout his career, Gregg has held various positions, including President and CEO of a large 3PL, and has played a major role in the growth and development of PGT Trucking, one of the safest and most reliable flatbed carriers in transportation. PGT Trucking is currently ranked in the Top 100 For-Hire Carriers in North America by Transport Topics, the nation's logistics and trucking news leader.

President, Energy & Commercial,  Nikola Motor Company
Pablo Koziner leads Nikola’s hydrogen fueling and battery charging business as president of Nikola Energy.

Koziner’s extensive global energy and distribution services experience is derived from his more than 19 years at Caterpillar Inc. where he served as president of Solar Turbines, vice president of Electric Power, and in various roles in North and South America leading dealer relations. Prior to joining Caterpillar, Koziner practiced commercial law at Hunton & Williams LLP (now Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP) and later at Paul Hastings LLP.

Koziner is a graduate of Boston College and earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Boston College Law School.

CEO & Co-founder,  Locomation
Çetin Meriçli, Ph.D., is co-founder and CEO of Locomation, a Pittsburgh-based AV technology company focused on trucking with an innovative approach called Human-Guided Autonomy^SM, which consists of an electronically tethered two-truck convoy. The Locomation solution brings unmatched benefits to the industry such as handling real-world edge cases with ease, doubling a fleet’s capacity, increasing driver time at home up to 233%, reducing GHG emissions up to 22%, and cutting fuel consumption up to 21%. By utilizing existing AV technology to augment, rather than replace, human drivers, this solution is the fastest, most practical, and profitable path to commercial deployment, and Locomation convoys are the only autonomous trucks legal for commercial deployment in the U.S. today with commercial contracts already in place for near term roll out.

Formerly a Special Faculty – Commercialization Specialist at the National Robotics Engineering Center (NREC) of Carnegie Mellon’s Robotics Institute, Dr. Meriçli has 20 years of experience in developing and deploying complex robotic systems for real-world applications. He has played key roles in over a dozen high profile applied robotics projects, as well as co-authored over 40 scientific reports on subjects covering his robotics and machine-learning accomplishments and developments.

Senior Analyst/Editor,  Steel Market Update
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.

Chief Economist,  Associated General Contractors of America
Ken Simonson has been Chief Economist for the Associated General Contractors of America, the leading trade association for the construction industry, since 2001. He provides insight into the economy and what it implies for construction and related industries through frequent media interviews, presentations and the Data DIGest, his weekly one-page e-newsletter that goes to over 50,000 subscribers.

Mr Simonson has more than 40 years of experience analyzing, advocating and communicating about economic and tax issues.
He currently serves on the Census Bureau’s Scientific Advisory Committee. He is a Fellow and past president of the National Association for Business Economics, and he is co-director of the Tax Economists Forum, a professional meeting group he co-founded in 1982.

Mr Simonson has a BA in economics from the University of Chicago, and an MA in economics from Northwestern University.

Director, Research,  Center for Automotive Research (CAR)

Bernard Swiecki serves as Director of Research at the Center for Automotive Research (CAR), as well as Director of the Automotive Communities Partnership (ACP). He joined CAR in 1994.

 

Mr. Swiecki manages research projects studying a wide breadth of automotive industry structure and technology topics.  He manages CAR’s analysis of vehicle market and production data. He has also led trade missions to China, Italy, India, and Russia. Mr. Swiecki has authored numerous articles for print publications, as well as a monthly column, on the automotive industry.  He regularly presents at conferences and industry events around the world, as well as providing interviews to local, national, and global media.

 

Mr. Swiecki is a member of the Society of Automotive Analysts (SAA).  He has served on the U.S. Department of Commerce Eastern Michigan District Export Council.  He received his BA from the University of Michigan in 1998 and his MS from Eastern Michigan University in 2003.  

Vice President, Customer Experience,  Minnesota Power

Frank Frederickson is Vice President – Customer Experience within Minnesota Power, where he leads a talented team that serves all customer accounts and relationships for its residential, commercial, wholesale, and industrial customers.  Frank’s prior experience includes General Manager of MP’s Hydro & Biomass Renewable Operations, Manager of Minnesota Power’s Rapids Energy Center, Project Manager of ALLETE Clean Energy’s Thunder Spirit Wind Project, and Project Development Leader for Minnesota Power’s Bison Wind Farms.  Frank has also led technology development activities for Wind, Biomass, and Solar generation resources, and compliance reporting for renewable energy programs.

Frank is originally from International Falls, MN, and his education includes a Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota at the Twin Cities Campus.  Prior to joining Minnesota Power in 2007, Frank was employed by 3M Company as a Senior Process Development Engineer where he worked in new product development and is a named inventor on 16 granted US patents and four pending patent applications. 

Frank’s public engagement includes service on the boards of the Iron Mining Association, APEX, Mater Dei Apostolate and the finance councils for the Catholic Diocese of Duluth and of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church. 

Senior Analyst/Editor,  Steel Market Update
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.

President,  Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA)
Philip K. Bell is President of the Washington, D.C. based Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA). Prior to joining the SMA in 2013, Mr Bell served as Director of External Communications and Public Affairs for Gerdau North America. He is a 30-year industry veteran, who gained an interest in the steel industry while serving as a production and maintenance supervisor at Elementis Chromium in Corpus Christi, Texas during the 1980s. He has held executive level positions in operations, human resources and public affairs with Gerdau, the SGL Carbon Group, Qualitech Steel Corporation and Elementis Chromium.

Mr Bell currently serves on the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Advisory Committee on Steel (ITAC7), advising the Secretary of Commerce and United States Trade Representative on trade policy, trade agreements, and other trade related matters that benefit U.S. businesses, workers, and the economy.

Director of Supply Chain,  NIM Group
Eric has 16 years of experience in the metals industry and joined NIM Group in 2015 as the Director of Supply Chain. Eric’s influence on purchasing decisions and operational enhancements result in $10 million of cost savings annually. NIM Group’s supply chain is immense, and Eric’s direct management and high-level execution across 25 states is critical to the success of their customers.

Marketing Manager,  ArcelorMittal
Ping Liang is a Marketing Manager at ArcelorMittal, responsible for macroeconomics and steel end-use industry trend analyses, as well as corporate go-to-market strategy development. Ping started her career in the steel industry in 2010 at AM/NS Calvert (formerly ThyssenKrupp) in Alabama as Marketing Specialist. She graduated from Auburn University with a master’s Degree in economics and a master’s Degree in finance. Although she often jokes about the serendipity of joining the steel industry, the experience and people in the industry are invaluable to her. Being part of the Steering member is an honor for her to contribute to nurture a sustainable growth to the industry.

Customer Success Team Lead,  Reibus

NAFTA Steel Purchasing Manager,  Tempel Steel
Meredith graduated with an Economics degree from Marquette University. She has been at Tempel Steel since 2009 in various roles with the majority of her time spent in purchasing. She currently manages steel purchases for Tempel's North American facilities. Meredith was the first recipient of SMU's NexGen Leadership award in 2019 for her strong negotiating skills and ability to implement change and improve process through automation.

Business Development Manager,  Quality Metal Stamping

Founder,  J. Benjamin Recruitment, Inc
Ben has 8 years of experience as a Professional Recruiter for Metal Mills, Service Centers, Toll Processors, Traders, Trading Platforms, and more across North America. He has interviewed thousands of candidates, and while he covers all positions, his functional specialties include Sales & Operations Management. Ben created a resume-free introduction process to protect the confidentiality of his candidates and to ensure a genuine match with a potential employer. His hometown is Fort Wayne, Indiana, he graduated with a degree in Psychology from Purdue University in 2014, began his Recruitment career in Chicago, and now lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Emily, whose work in Defense brought them to the West Coast. Ben was voted in as Secretary of the NexGen Metals Community and is a Steering Committee member.

Managing Director,  Wolfe Research
Timna Tanners is a managing director covering 20 equities in the Americas Metals and Mining sector in addition to forecasting relevant commodities at Wolfe Research, a premier equity research firm.  She is a regular speaker at steel industry conferenced and hosts frequent events for clients with corporates and industry experts. Her insights have been featured regularly on business media, such as CNBC and Bloomberg News, including the trademarked term Steelmageddon®.  Timna has been ranked #1 in Institutional Investor's All America Poll for nine consecutive years. Prior to October 2021, Timna covered Metals and Mining and Bank of America Securities for over 10 years, and covered the sector for over eight years previously at UBS Investment Bank.

Principal Analyst - Steel,  CRU
Josh Spoores is Principal Analyst - Steel at CRU.
Joining CRU in 2012, Mr Spoores is Head of Steel Analysis in North America and editor of CRU’s market leading Steel Sheet Monitor and Steel Monitor. He also forecasts prices, demand, production and trade of sheet and plate products for both Canada and the US for CRU’s steel sheet and plate market outlooks. Prior to this role at CRU, he was a Senior Marketing Analyst at Severstal North America, founder of Steel Reality, a forward-looking market analysis firm using a models-based approach for flat rolled and plate steel. He was also the Market Research Manager at Majestic Steel USA, one of the largest flat rolled service centres in the USA. He has a BSc in Business Administration from Bowling Green State University.

Director,  S&P Global Market Intelligence

- John Anton is a Director in the IHS Markit Pricing and Purchasing Service (now a part of S&P Global). Mr. Anton’s primary focus is as head of the ferrous metals team.

- He is a steel industry expert and regularly speaks at industry conferences and internal meetings, including at Fortune 1000 company supply chain annual planning sessions.

- Mr. Anton joined IHS Markit in 1995. Prior to that time, he was in the private practice of law. Before attending law school, Mr. Anton worked at the Bureau of Labor Statistics as an Economist/Statistician.

- He received a B.S. in economics from Florida State University and a J.D. from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary.

Senior Editor,  Steel Market Update (SMU)
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.

President, CEO & Chairman,  Steel Dynamics
Mark D. Millett is President and Chief Executive Officer of Steel Dynamics. Mark co-founded Steel Dynamics in 1993 and has been instrumental in building the company from its inception to its current status as one of the largest steel producers and metals recyclers in the United States. Mark has served on the company’s board of directors since inception and was named Chief Executive Officer January 2012. Since that time the company has grown significantly through organic growth investments, the transformational acquisition of its Columbus Flat Roll Division, and more recently with the acquisition of its Heartland Flat Roll Division. Additionally, a new greenfield flat rolled facility having a three million ton annual capacity will commence operations later this year.

President and CEO,  Steel Market Update
John Packard is the President and CEO of Steel Market Update, part of CRU Group. Mr Packard spent 31 years actively selling steel in the service center, trading company and steel mill segments of the industry. He founded Steel Market Update in 2004 as a way of communicating with his customers. In 2008, Steel Market Update was incorporated as a provider of market intelligence to the steel industry and, in 2018, the company was purchased by the CRU Group. Mr Packard is a frequent speaker at industry and financial events. He is also the founder of the SMU Steel 101, Managing Price Risk and custom steel training workshops. He also founded the SMU Steel Summit Conference, which has become the leading steel conference in North America.

President and CEO,  Steel Market Update
John Packard is the President and CEO of Steel Market Update, part of CRU Group. Mr Packard spent 31 years actively selling steel in the service center, trading company and steel mill segments of the industry. He founded Steel Market Update in 2004 as a way of communicating with his customers. In 2008, Steel Market Update was incorporated as a provider of market intelligence to the steel industry and, in 2018, the company was purchased by the CRU Group. Mr Packard is a frequent speaker at industry and financial events. He is also the founder of the SMU Steel 101, Managing Price Risk and custom steel training workshops. He also founded the SMU Steel Summit Conference, which has become the leading steel conference in North America.

Senior Editor,  Steel Market Update (SMU)
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.

President and CEO,  Steel Market Update
John Packard is the President and CEO of Steel Market Update, part of CRU Group. Mr Packard spent 31 years actively selling steel in the service center, trading company and steel mill segments of the industry. He founded Steel Market Update in 2004 as a way of communicating with his customers. In 2008, Steel Market Update was incorporated as a provider of market intelligence to the steel industry and, in 2018, the company was purchased by the CRU Group. Mr Packard is a frequent speaker at industry and financial events. He is also the founder of the SMU Steel 101, Managing Price Risk and custom steel training workshops. He also founded the SMU Steel Summit Conference, which has become the leading steel conference in North America.

Senior Editor,  Steel Market Update (SMU)
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.

CEO,  Kloeckner

CEO,  Mill Steel
Pam Heglund is the Chief Executive Officer of Mill Steel Company, the 14th largest privately-owned company in Michigan and one of the nation’s largest steel service centers.

Heglund is a dynamic leader with a commercial mindset and passion for cultivating an award-winning culture. Her leadership approach emphasizes transparency and communication, unifying Mill Steel’s 350+ associates in executing the company’s shared vision of being the industry leader in customer experience. 

Heglund played an integral role in positioning Mill Steel as an industry leader and building its robust book of business throughout her career. Early on, she earned the title of Sales Manager by demonstrating her business aptitude and keen insight of customer needs. Her commercial talent then propelled her to be named a Partner and Vice President of Sales. She was promoted to President in 2016 with a proven track record of consistently mapping growth. With over 18+ years of executive leadership experience, Heglund was named CEO in 2021, becoming the Samrick family’s third-generation steel leader. Shortly after, Mill Steel achieved certification as an Exceptional Women's Business Enterprise (EWBE) with revenue over $1B, placing Mill Steel among the top 2% largest WBE's in the US. 

President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO),  Ryerson
Edward J. Lehner is President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ryerson, a global 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 since 2012. 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 on the Board of Directors of Modumetal Inc., and The Mississippi State Workforce Investment Board, and he is a member of Financial Executives International (FEI).

Senior Analyst/Editor,  Steel Market Update
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.

President & Principal,  ITR Economics
Dr. Alan Beaulieu (PhD) is President & Principal for ITR Economics. He has been providing workshops and economic analysis seminars to countries and literally thousands of business owners and executives for the last 30 years. He is one of the country’s most sought-after economists.

As the Chief Economist for numerous US and international trade 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, New York Times, USA Today, Knight Ridder News Services, Business Week, Associated Press, The Washington Times, CBS Radio, CNN Radio, Sirius talk radio, and numerous other outlets.

President & Principal,  ITR Economics
Dr. Alan Beaulieu (PhD) is President & Principal for ITR Economics. He has been providing workshops and economic analysis seminars to countries and literally thousands of business owners and executives for the last 30 years. He is one of the country’s most sought-after economists.

As the Chief Economist for numerous US and international trade 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, New York Times, USA Today, Knight Ridder News Services, Business Week, Associated Press, The Washington Times, CBS Radio, CNN Radio, Sirius talk radio, and numerous other outlets.

CEO,  Stelco
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 of Stelco, responsible for the strategic direction and growth initiatives, and previously served as their 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.

Senior Editor,  Steel Market Update (SMU)
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.

President and Chief Executive Officer,  American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI)
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.

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, including the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Reuters, Washington Post, Washington Examiner, Politico, CNBC and CNN, to name a few.

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. He also served as counsel to former U.S. Senator John C. Danforth (R-MO) and the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.

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

President,  Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA)
Philip K. Bell is President of the Washington, D.C. based Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA). Prior to joining the SMA in 2013, Mr Bell served as Director of External Communications and Public Affairs for Gerdau North America. He is a 30-year industry veteran, who gained an interest in the steel industry while serving as a production and maintenance supervisor at Elementis Chromium in Corpus Christi, Texas during the 1980s. He has held executive level positions in operations, human resources and public affairs with Gerdau, the SGL Carbon Group, Qualitech Steel Corporation and Elementis Chromium.

Mr Bell currently serves on the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Advisory Committee on Steel (ITAC7), advising the Secretary of Commerce and United States Trade Representative on trade policy, trade agreements, and other trade related matters that benefit U.S. businesses, workers, and the economy.

Senior Editor,  Steel Market Update (SMU)
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.

Divisional Director, Consulting,  CRU
Matthew Poole has over 20 years of experience working in the steel industry and before that as a consultant to both public and private sector clients. Prior to joining CRU to head up the steel consulting practice, Mr Poole held a number of senior management positions within Tata Steel in Europe and its predecessor companies including strategy, business development and strategic marketing roles across both the Long products and Strip Products portfolios. This included overhauling the competitor assessment capability within the Long Products division and introducing cost modelling to underpin this work. Mr Poole’s work in CRU Consulting mainly involves helping clients in the steel sector make better strategic decisions based on sound analysis and practical recommendations.

Research Manager, Aluminium,  CRU
Steve Williamson is CRU's Research Manager, Aluminum. Steve has joined as our lead North American Aluminum Analyst, and is based in Louisville, KY.
Steve has a distinguished career in the aluminum industry holding high profile roles at leading downstream aluminium companies including Chief Commercial Officer at Tri-Arrows Aluminum. Prior to joining Tri-Arrows (then ARCO), Steve held the position of Director of Sales and Marketing at Commonwealth Aluminum. More recently, Steve has worked as an independent consultant to the industry. Steve has also had successful spells in not-for-profit organizations, including President of Providence High School in Clarksville IN.

COO,  A2MAC1

Senior Editor,  Steel Market Update (SMU)
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.

Senior Director, Corporate Ratings,  Fitch Ratings
Stephen Brown is a senior director in Fitch Ratings’ corporate finance group. He has lead analytical responsibility for Fitch’s coverage of North American auto manufacturers and suppliers. He also has secondary analytical responsibility for the transportation sector. Stephen earned a BS in speech from Northwestern University and an MBA from the University of Rochester’s Simon Business School.

Research Manager, Aluminium,  CRU
Steve Williamson is CRU's Research Manager, Aluminum. Steve has joined as our lead North American Aluminum Analyst, and is based in Louisville, KY.
Steve has a distinguished career in the aluminum industry holding high profile roles at leading downstream aluminium companies including Chief Commercial Officer at Tri-Arrows Aluminum. Prior to joining Tri-Arrows (then ARCO), Steve held the position of Director of Sales and Marketing at Commonwealth Aluminum. More recently, Steve has worked as an independent consultant to the industry. Steve has also had successful spells in not-for-profit organizations, including President of Providence High School in Clarksville IN.

COO,  A2MAC1

Senior Editor,  Steel Market Update (SMU)
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.

Senior Director, Corporate Ratings,  Fitch Ratings
Stephen Brown is a senior director in Fitch Ratings’ corporate finance group. He has lead analytical responsibility for Fitch’s coverage of North American auto manufacturers and suppliers. He also has secondary analytical responsibility for the transportation sector. Stephen earned a BS in speech from Northwestern University and an MBA from the University of Rochester’s Simon Business School.