SPEAKER

BIOGRAPHIES

LOURENCO GONCALVES
Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer
Cleveland-Cliffs

Lourenco Goncalves has been Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cleveland-Cliffs since August 2014. He designed and led the company through a major strategic initiative transforming Cleveland-Cliffs into a leading player in the U.S. steel industry, starting with a complete financial turnaround, followed by growth initiatives in the metallics market and the entry into the steel and prime ferrous scrap businesses. In 2017, Cliffs started the construction in Toledo, Ohio of the world’s most modern Direct Reduction plant, which started operations in November 2020. Mr. Goncalves successfully led four major company acquisitions beginning with AK Steel in March 2020, followed by the acquisition of ArcelorMittal USA in December 2020, Ferrous Processing and Trading Company in November 2021 and most recently Canadian-based Stelco Holdings Inc. in November 2024. With the Toledo plant, Cleveland-Cliffs is the sole producer in the Great Lakes region of hot briquetted iron (HBI), an environmentally friendly metallic feedstock designed to reduce GHG emissions. 

Prior to Cleveland-Cliffs, Mr. Goncalves 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. for 5 years. Prior to that, he was employed by Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional (CSN), a major steel and mining company in Brazil, where he held several positions in operations and sales. From October 2011 to April 2014, Mr. Goncalves was a board member of Ascometal SAS, a manufacturer of special steel headquartered in Paris, France. 

Mr. Goncalves serves on the Board and is Chairman of the American Iron and Steel Institute. Mr. Goncalves is a Distinguished Member and Fellow of the Association for Iron & Steel Technology (AIST). He received AIST's “Steelmaker of the Year” Award for the year 2021. Also in 2021, S&P Global Platts presented Mr. Goncalves with the “CEO/Chairperson of the Year” Global Metals Award, which honors a leader who is highly respected by both peers and competitors, admired and followed by employees, trusted by investors and welcomed by the community. Under Mr. Goncalves’ leadership, Cleveland-Cliffs was awarded by S&P Global Platts the top Global Metals Award as the “2021 Metals Company of the Year” and the “2021 Deal of the Year” Global Metals Award. Mr. Goncalves was also presented with the 2021 “Steel Advocate of the Year” Award, from Fastmarkets. In 2022, Mr. Goncalves was presented with the Willy Korf/Ken Iverson Steel Vision Award, which honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the steel industry while promoting goodwill and integrity. 

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.

T V NARENDRAN
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director
Tata Steel Ltd.

T V Narendran is the chief executive officer (CEO) and managing director (MD) of Tata Steel Ltd. As the CEO and MD, he has overseen the organic and inorganic growth of Tata Steel over the last few years. He has over 36 years of experience in the mining and metals industry. Narendran is currently on the boards of Tata Steel Ltd. and Tata International Ltd. and he is the chairman of Tata Steel Europe. He has been elected as chairman of the World Steel Association for 2024–2025. He also serves as senior vice president of All India Management Association (AIMA), is a fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering and chairs the Boards of Governors of Xavier School of Management (XLRI) and Indian Institute of Technology – Kharagpur. He is also a member of the Council of Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. He has served as the president of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) from 2021 to 2022. He has also served as the president of the Indian Institute of Metals from 2021 to 2022. He was the co-chair of the Mining & Metals Governors Council of the World Economic Forum from 2016 to 2018. Narendran is a mechanical engineer from the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Trichy and earned his M.B.A. from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta. He is a recipient of Distinguished Alumnus Awards from both NIT Trichy and IIM Calcutta. He is a Chevening Scholar and has also attended the Advanced Management Programme at INSEAD, France.

MÁXIMO VEDOYA
Chief Executive Officer
Ternium

Maximo Vedoya currently serves as chief executive officer of Ternium. Prior to that, he served as president of Ternium Mexico. He has held several other executive positions since joining the Techint Group in 1992, such as chief executive officer of Ferrasa, director of Ternium Mexico’s international and steel purchase operations, commercial director and export manager of Sidor and commercial planning manager of Ternium Argentina. He was also director of Fedemetal (the Colombian Federation of Metallurgical Industries), AIMM (Venezuelan Association of Metallurgical and Mining Industry) and is currently president of Canacero (Mexican steel association), president of Alacero, vice president of Caintra (Nuevo León Industrial Chamber), vice president of CONCAMIN (Mexican industrial chamber) and general counsellor of UDEM (University of Monterrey, Mexico). Vedoya is an Argentine citizen.

EDWIN BASSON
Director General
World Steel Dynamics

Edwin Basson received his Ph.D. in economics from Pretoria University and taught economics at the same university. After a few years in the banking industry, he joined the steel industry in 1994 at Iscor Ltd. in South Africa. After a variety of senior roles in South Africa, he was transferred to Europe in 2004. His responsibilities included global marketing strategy, trade policy and investment planning for the group. He was also part of the mergers and acquisitions team at the time. Basson joined the World Steel Association (worldsteel) in 2011 as director general. worldsteel is tasked with playing a strategic leadership role on behalf of the steel industry, with a focus on all aspects that contribute to the strategic and competitive production and use of steel in a sustainable global economy.

SHANNON K. O'NEIL
Senior Vice President, Director of Studies, and Maurice R. Greenberg Chair 
Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)

Shannon K. O’Neil is the senior vice president, director of studies, and Maurice R. Greenberg chair at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), where she oversees the work of the more than six dozen fellows in the David Rockefeller Studies Program as well as CFR’s  fellowship programs. She is a leading authority on global trade, supply chains, Mexico and Latin America. O’Neil is the author of The Globalization Myth: Why Regions Matter and Two Nations Indivisible: Mexico, the United States, and the Road Ahead. She is a columnist for Bloomberg Opinion, and a frequent guest on national broadcast news and radio programs. O’Neil has often testified before Congress, and regularly speaks at global academic, business and policy conferences. She was a Fulbright scholar and a Justice, Welfare, and Economics fellow at Harvard University, and has taught Latin American politics at Columbia University. Before turning to policy, O’Neil worked in the private sector as an equity analyst at Indosuez Capital and Credit Lyonnais Securities. She holds a B.A. degree from Yale University, an M.A. degree in international relations from Yale University, and a Ph.D. in government from Harvard University. She is the chair of the board of directors of the Tinker Foundation.

RON ASHBURN
Executive Director
AIST

Ronald Ashburn is the executive director of the Association for Iron & Steel Technology (AIST), having served in this capacity since the organization’s founding in 2004. Ashburn is responsible for oversight of business operations and strategic planning initiatives for AIST and the AIST Foundation. He formerly was managing director for the Association of Iron and Steel Engineers (AISE) from 2002 until its merger with the Iron & Steel Society to form AIST. Prior to AISE, he was employed with the German engineering firm SMS, a global builder of steel plants, where he last served as vice president — operations for their Steelmaking and Casting Division in North America. He held previous positions with SMS and the consolidated Mannesmann Demag including vice president — casting and hot rolling as well as director of technology for steelmaking and casting. Ashburn received his B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and participated in metallurgical process training at University of British Columbia and global business management training at the University of Virginia. He serves on the board of trustees for the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers (AIME) and the United Engineering Foundation (UEF).

PHILIP BELL
President
Steel Manufacturers Association

Philip K. Bell is president of the Washington, D.C.-based Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA). Prior to leading the SMA, Bell served as director of external communications and public affairs for Gerdau Long Steel North America. He is a 25-year industry veteran who developed an interest in the steel industry and manufacturing in the late 1980s while working in maintenance and operations at Elementis Chromium in Corpus Christi, Texas. He has held executive-level positions in operations, human resources and public affairs with Gerdau, the SGL Carbon Group, and Qualitech Steel Corp. Bell currently serves on the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Advisory Committee on Steel (ITAC 11), 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. He serves on the board of directors of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). He is also a member of AIST and serves on the board of trustees at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minn. Bell graduated from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. He holds a master’s degree in global strategic communications from the University of Florida.

BERK BIRAND
Chief Executive Officer
Fero Labs

Berk Birand is the co-founder and chief executive officer of industrial optimization company Fero Labs, where he leads the company’s strategic business and technology growth. Birand co-founded Fero Labs to help create a profitable and sustainable manufacturing industry. He received his Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Columbia University and now has several patents in Internet of Things systems for resilient fiber-optic networks.

ANDREW DE SIMONE
Country Manager USA, Vale; Managing Officer
Vale USA LLC

Andrew De Simone is the managing officer of Vale USA LLC — a U.S.-based office for the global mining company Vale S.A. — focused on the development of Vale’s iron ore-based solutions for the for the steel sector. He is also the head of Vale’s cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy, a project for the development of an industrial-scale facility to produce Vale’s patented cold agglomeration iron ore briquette in the U.S. With 20 years involved with the mining industry, De Simone’s leadership roles span from business development to government relations, to project and risk management, on projects in the U.S., Brazil, and numerous sites in Western and Southern Africa. His training is in international relations (BA) and international business (graduate studies) from Boston College and Fundação Getúlio Vargas, respectively. In addition, he is a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP). 

KEVIN DEMPSEY
President and Chief Executive Officer
American Iron and Steel Institute

Kevin Dempsey is the president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), a leading advocacy group representing integrated and electric arc furnace (EAF) 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, previously having served as AISI’s senior vice president of public policy and general counsel. Under Dempsey’s executive leadership, the Institute has achieved landmark policy successes on trade, tax and infrastructure policy initiatives, successfully promoted the steel industry’s global leadership on decarbonization, showcased steel innovations, and advanced the case for steel as the material of choice in the automotive 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 in the U.S. and abroad, 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. Dempsey currently serves on the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Climate and Trade Advisory Council. Under his leadership as president and CEO, AISI was also recognized as a “Red Hot Association” by DCA Live in 2024. 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, Mo.

JOSEPH DZIERZAWSKI
Vice President of Sales and Strategy
Primetals Technologies USA LLC

Joseph Dzierzawski, Vice President of Sales and Strategy, Primetals Technologies USA LLC Joseph Dzierzawski began his current role as vice president of sales and strategy at Primetals Technologies USA in 2023. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan, with a degree in metallurgical engineering, and attended executive management programs at the University of Michigan School of Business and INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France. In 1988, Dzierzawski began his career as a melter at McLouth Steel, an integrated basic oxygen furnace and electric arc furnace steelmaking operation. In 1990, he moved to SMS Concast as a senior metallurgical engineer and held several positions, including vice president of Steelmaking & Continuous Casting at SMS Siemag LLC; director of sales for Steelmaking & Continuous Casting at SMS Siemag AG in Düsseldorf, Germany; president and chief executive officer for SMS USA; and chief technology officer for SMS group Inc. In 2019, he joined Hatch Associates Consultants in the capacity of global director — Technology & Business Development responsible for corporate growth in the iron and steel sector. Most recently, Dzierzawski served as president and chief executive officer of the BEUMER Group, an international leader in the manufacturing of intralogistics systems for conveying, loading, palletizing, sortation, and baggage handling, fully responsible for all business segments in the North American market in alignment with the group’s overall business objectives, strategy, and key pursuits. 

PHILIPP ENGLIN
Chief Executive Officer
World Steel Dynamics

Philipp Englin joined World Steel Dynamics in 2008 after a career spanning roles in engineering and corporate strategy functions. He worked closely with WSD’s founders as chief executive officer for over a decade, before taking over WSD’s day-to-day operations. Along with WSD’s highly capable team of senior practitioners and analysts, he authors WSD’s breakthrough Information Service reports while leading efforts across the full range of WSD products and services from WSD's consulting/advisory practice to its premier industry conferences. Englin holds bachelors degrees in mechanical engineering and philosophy from Carnegie Mellon University and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Pittsburgh.

ADAM GREEN
Managing Partner
World Steel Dynamics

Adam Green began his career as a steel industry analyst and consultant in 2010 when he joined World Steel Dynamics. He authors WSD’s USA Steel Dynamics news and analytics reports, manages WSD’s Global Steel Information System, and provides research and consulting services as a part of the company’s consulting/advisory practice. He holds bachelor’s degrees in economics and mathematics from Rutgers University and an M.B.A. from Carnegie Mellon University.

JOHN LICHTENSTEIN
Managing Partner
World Steel Dynamics

John Lichtenstein recently joined World Steel Dynamics as managing partner. He brings more than 35 years of experience as an industry thought leader and global consulting practice leader at Accenture, Arthur D. Little and RCG Research and Consulting Group. Lichtenstein has had a long association with World Steel Dynamics. He has been a featured speaker at numerous Steel Success Strategies Conferences, where he addressed a wide range of topics including mergers and acquisitions, business transformation and technology, and organization and leadership.

STEPHEN MONTAGUE
Member of the Board
Midrex

Stephen Montague started with Midrex Technologies as a co-op student in 1987 and is now a board member. Throughout the years, he has held roles encompassing technical and commercial functions such as engineering, operations, technology development and sales. He was appointed vice president – Sales and Marketing before assuming the role of president and chief operating officer in 2016 and subsequently being promoted to chief executive officer in 2017. He actively participated in the design and start-ups of numerous MIDREX® plants, contributed to the development of new technologies, and holds coinventor credits on several patents. Montague earned a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from North Carolina State University.  

LEE P. MORGAN
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director
The Systems Group 

Lee Morgan is chief executive officer and president of The Systems Group, which consists of Systems Contracting, Systems Plant Services, Systems Fab & Machine, and Systems Spray-Cooled. He graduated from South Dakota State University with a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering. Before joining Systems, he was president of Camfil APC in Jonesboro, Ark., USA, where he oversaw five factories in five countries. Morgan has 11 patents centered around air pollution control systems. At Systems, his focus is bringing engineered solutions to the steel industry for a safer, more productive environment.

ALOK SAHAY
Secretary General and Executive Head
Indian Steel Association

Alok Sahay, secretary general and executive head of the Indian Steel Association (ISA), is a distinguished leader with over four decades of experience in the steel industry. Before joining ISA, he held key leadership positions at the Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL). His deep expertise in industrial strategy, global trade policies and sustainable steelmaking has made him a pivotal figure in shaping the growth of the Indian steel sector. At ISA, he is dedicated to strengthening India’s position as a global steel leader. Through his initiatives in fostering international collaboration and advocating for sustainable and innovative practices, he has played a crucial role in positioning the Indian steel sector at the forefront of global leadership. His visionary leadership continues to drive transformation within the industry, ensuring resilience, competitiveness and long-term growth.

EZEQUIEL TAVERNELLI
Executive Director
Alacero

Ezequiel Tavernelli is an industrial engineer and has completed the Management Development Program at the IAE Business School. He has 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.

MARTIN THEURINGER
Managing Director
German Steel Federation

Martin Theuringer has held various positions at the German Steel Association since 2003: chief economist since 2006 and head of business area economics since 2008, responsible for economic policy, business cycle analyses, markets and statistics. In 2017, he was appointed managing director. Theuringer has worked intensively on the transformation of the steel industry in recent years. He has been a member of various national and international committees for many years, including the Spiegel Circle in the National Hydrogen Council, the Advisory Board of the Competence Centre on Climate Change Mitigation in Energy-Intensive Industries, and is a member of the board of the Steel Applications Research Foundation and the Research Association for Steel Application. He is also chairman of the Economic Committee at Worldsteel since 2024 and Secretary General of the recently established Low Emission Steel Standard.

Ernie Thrasher
Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Marketing Officer
X-Coal

Ernie Thrasher has over 50 years of experience in the coal industry. His coal experience began in 1974 working for a family-owned mining company with operations in Maryland. Thrasher held various positions in mine operations and mine management through 1981. Prior to forming Xcoal Energy & Resources in 2003, Thrasher spent 22 years in various global marketing positions at Primary Coal and AMCI. Xcoal markets U.S. and Australian origin coal to customers throughout the world. Xcoal activities include the financing and development of mining projects and related infrastructure projects. Thrasher founded XLNG Energy & Resources in 2015, which is marketing liquefied natural gas originating from global sources with emphasis on natural gas reserves in the Marcellus and Utica Shale basins in the U.S., to customers in South America, Europe and Asia. Thrasher serves as a director on the National Committee on U.S. China Relations, as a director of the U.S.- India Strategic Partnership Forum, a Global Trustee for the Asia Society, a member of the Global Advisory Council of the Wilson Center, a member of the Global Advisory Board of the Kissinger Institute on China and the U.S., a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and serves on the President’s Leadership Council, Boy Scouts of America. 

TIMOTHY VAN AUDENAERDE
Managing Director
Accenture

Timothy Van Audenaerde is a managing director at Accenture, leading the chemicals and natural resources industry practice in Belgium and Luxembourg. He started his career in the steel industry at ArcelorMittal in 2002, holding roles across various functional areas including quality, supply chain and commercial. Since joining Accenture in 2013, he has primarily worked with leading metal manufacturers. He holds a degree in materials engineering from Ghent University and an M.B.A. from Vlerick Business School.