SPEAKER

BIOGRAPHIES
 

LOURENCO GONCALVES
Chairman, American Iron and Steel Institute;
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.

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 business. 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 led the acquisition of AK Steel in March 2020, followed by the acquisition of ArcelorMittal USA in December 2020. With these two major acquisitions, Cleveland-Cliffs is now the largest flat-rolled steel company and the largest iron ore pellet producer in the United States and in North America, holding an industry-leading market position in automotive steel. With the Toledo plant, Cleveland-Cliffs became 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., a leading American manufacturer and processor of steel and other metals, 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.
 

MARK MILLETT
Co-founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer
Steel Dynamics Inc. 

Mark D. Millett co-founded Steel Dynamics Inc. (SDI) in 1993. In May 2021, Millett was named chairman of the board. Millett has been SDI’s chief executive officer since January 2012. He also served as president from January 2012 through February 2023. Prior to that, he held various positions within the company, including president and chief operating officer, executive vice president of Metals Recycling and Ferrous Resources, and executive vice president of Flat Roll Operations. Millett was responsible for the design, construction, and start-up operation of all of SDI’s steel mills, including its Butler, Ind., USA, flat roll, melting and casting operations.

Millett earned his bachelor’s degree in metallurgy from the University of Surrey, England. He is a past chairman of the Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA). In 2022 and 2014, Millett was named Steelmaker of the Year by AIST. In 2019, he was the recipient of the James F. Collins Achievement in Advocacy Award by the SMA.
 

GUSTAVO WERNECK
Chief Executive Officer
Gerdau

Gustavo Werneck has been chief executive officer (CEO) of Gerdau since January 2018 and a member of its board of directors since 2019. Previously, he was head of Gerdau Aços Brasil, the company's flagship business in Brazil. He has been with the company since 2004, having held diverse strategic positions, such as chief information officer (CIO), industrial director at Gerdau India and industrial director at Gerdau Aços Especiais. Werneck has a mechanical engineering degree from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), master’s of business administration in project management from the Fundação Getúlio Vargas and in business management from INSPER, and has completed programs on Leading Change and Organizational Renewal at the Harvard Business School and Advanced Corporate Finance at the London Business School. He served as the chairman of the Latin American Steel Association (Alacero) for 2022–2023. He is also a member of Brazil Steel Institute, Juntos Somos + and the American Chamber of Commerce (Amcham), and director emeritus of the global movement Capitalismo Consciente. He is also the coordinator of Grupo Impacto and CEO’s Legacy (Fundação Dom Cabral) and adviser of the WCD (Women Corporate Directors) Foundation. He was elected three times “valued executive” in the Steel, Mining and Metallurgy category by the Valor Econômico newspaper (2020–2023) and one of the 10 CEOs who best communicate with journalists by Negócios da Comunicação magazine and by CECOM (Communication Studies Center). He recently signed one more pact on diversity and inclusion pact — the Racial Equity Pact — drafted by 140 supporters, including CEOs.
 

MÁXIMO VEDOYA
Chief Executive Officer
Ternium

Mr. Vedoya currently serves as Chief Executive Officer. 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). Mr. Vedoya is an Argentine citizen.
 

CHANG, IN HWA
Chief Executive Officer
Posco Holdings

Chang, In Hwa was appointed chief executive officer of POSCO Holdings in March 2024. Chang’s life career at POSCO Group began in 1988 when he joined the Research Institute of Industrial Science & Technology (RIST) as a researcher. After rising through the ranks at RIST, he transitioned to POSCO in 2011 to assume more prominent roles in business operations. To manage the business of steelmaking, he advanced through diverse leadership roles in business development, marketing, R&D and production. After holding key positions at POSCO, i.e., chief operating officer, chief technical officer, he took a brief break from the frontlines in 2021 by serving as executive advisor. Currently, he also chairs notable external organizations, such as the Korea-Australia Business Council and the Korea Iron & Steel Association. Throughout over 30 years of his professional career at POSCO Group, Chang has built robust technical expertise, wealth of business experience and deep insight into the steel industry. He holds a Ph.D. in ocean engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Prior to the terminal degree, he obtained his M.S. (1979) and B.S. (1981) degrees in naval architecture and ocean engineering from Seoul National University in Korea. 
 

JAYANT ACHARYA
Joint Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer
JSW Steel

Jayant Acharya is the joint managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) at JSW Steel Ltd and serves on its board of directors. Before being named CEO in April 2023, he served as the deputy managing director and was responsible for all of the company’s operations and commercial functions, including end-to-end management of the company’s supply chain, sales and marketing activities across all markets. He was also responsible for driving the company’s digital interventions, new product development, R&D, and the development and deployment of the JSW Group’s sustainability vision and strategy.

Acharya has over 37 years of rich experience in the industry. Prior to joining JSW, his career in the steel industry began in 1986 with Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL), and he subsequently held various significant roles within renowned Indian business groups before joining the JSW Group in 1999. During his career at JSW, he played a key role in successful organic and inorganic growth through significant capacity additions and the completion of key acquisitions and integration of the company’s domestic and overseas operations in India, Italy and the U.S., making it the largest steel and coated steel producer in the country.

Having a deep understanding of the steel sector and its business, Acharya is a prominent voice in the industry, frequently sharing his insights and perspectives at various forums promoting sustainable production and consumption of steel that supports building a modern society. Recognized for his outstanding contributions, he has been honored as one of the “Greatest Marketing Influencers” by BBC Knowledge in India, the recipient of the Steel Industry “Visionary CEO” of the year in 2023, and the “Steelies India 2018” award for excellence from Steel and Metallurgy Magazine. He is a member of executive committee of World Business Council for Sustainable Development, a member of the National Committee of CII, and co-chairs the steel committee of CII.

Acharya holds a degree in chemical engineering and a master’s degree in physics from Birla Institute of Technology, Pilani, India. He also has an M.B.A.
 

MARIO ARVEDI CALDONAZZO
Chief Executive Officer
Gruppo Arvedi

Mario Arvedi Caldonazzo graduated in 1991 in business and economics, before entering the steelmaking business of his uncle, Giovanni Arvedi. His work experience with the Arvedi Group began by reinforcing his production and marketing experience in the tube sector as chief executive officer (CEO) of Arvedi Tubi Acciaio, a carbon steel tube manufacturer with a leading and consolidated position on the European market. In 2019, he was appointed CEO of Acciaieria Arvedi SpA. He was closely involved in the company’s strategic development plans, seeing Acciaieria Arvedi’s production triple over the course of 10 years following start-up. In 2006, he was appointed CEO of Finarvedi SpA, the holding company of the Arvedi Group, and in 2021 president of Acciaieria Arvedi and Arvedi Tubi Acciaio. In 2022, following its acquisition by the Arvedi Group, he was appointed vice president of Acciai Speciali Terni. He is vice president of Federacciai and Eurofer.
 

STEVE LAXTON
Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer & Executive Vice President
Nucor Corporation

Steve Laxton is chief financial officer (CFO), treasurer and executive vice president of Nucor Corp. He joined Nucor in January 2003 as general manager of business development and was promoted to vice president of business development and strategic planning in 2014. In February 2022, he was selected to serve as Nucor’s chief financial officer. As CFO, he is responsible for all matters of corporate finance, including corporate tax and accounting, treasury, investor relations and fiscal planning.

Prior to his time with Nucor, Laxton worked for Cinergy Corp. holding various positions including director of asset management and manager of corporate development. Prior to Cinergy, he held various financial roles with Ashland Inc., North American Stainless and National City Bank (now part of PNC).

Laxton received his B.S. degree from Georgetown College and his M.B.A. from the University of Kentucky.
 

DAVID BURRITT
President and Chief Executive Officer
United States Steel Corporation

David B. Burritt was appointed president and chief executive officer of United States Steel Corporation in May 2017. At that time, he was also named to the company’s board of directors. He had been elected president and chief operating officer in February 2017 with executive responsibility for all aspects of the company’s day-to-day business in the United States and Central Europe. Burritt joined U. S. Steel in September 2013 to serve as executive vice president and chief financial officer (CFO) with responsibility for all aspects of the company’s strategic and financial matters. Prior to joining U. S. Steel, Burritt served as CFO at Caterpillar Inc. Burritt earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1977 from Bradley University in Peoria and an M.B.A. from the University of Illinois in Champaign in 1990. He serves on the board of directors for Lockheed Martin and the National Safety Council, and serves on the executive committee of the World Steel Association. He is also a member of The Business Council and a member of the G100.
 

RON ASHBURN
Executive Director
Association for Iron & Steel Technology

Ron is the Executive Director of the Association for Iron & Steel Technology (AIST) representing one of the largest trade associations within the global iron and steel industry. AIST is a technical association of 18,000 professional and student members representing iron and steel producers and their allied suppliers, researchers and educators. The association focuses on advancing the technical development, production, processing and application of iron and steel. AIST includes 29 Technology Committees that pursue advancement across all facets of iron and steel manufacturing technologies. The Association also has 22 Member Chapters providing opportunity for regional participation in technology programs on six continents.

Prior to AIST, Ron 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. Ron 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 is a Board member of AIST, the AIST Foundation, as well as the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers (AIME) and the United Engineering Foundation (UEF).
 

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.  Philipp worked closely with WSD’s Founders as CEO 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, Philipp authors WSD’s breakthrough Information Service reports while leading efforts across the full range of WSD products and services from our Consulting/Advisory practice to WSD’s premier industry conferences.  Mr. Englin holds bachelors degrees in mechanical engineering & philosophy from Carnegie Mellon University and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Pittsburgh.
 

EDWIN BASSON
Director General
World Steel Association

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 worldsteel in August 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.
 

PHILIP BELL
President
Steel Manufacturers Association

Philip K. Bell is President of the Washington, DC-based Steel Manufacturers Association. Prior to leading the SMA, Phil served as Director of External Communications and Public Affairs for Gerdau Long Steel North America based in Tampa, FL. 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, TX. He has held executive-level positions in operations, human resources and public affairs with Gerdau, the SGL Carbon Group, and Qualitech Steel Corporation.

He 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.

Phil is on the board of directors of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) Council of Manufacturing Associations (CMA) and the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). He is also a member of the Association of Iron & Steel Technology and serves on the board of trustees at Hamline University in St. Paul, MN.

Phil 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.
 

DIPTAK BHATTACHARYA
Senior Researcher
 Korf Award for Young Excellence Awardee 2024
General Motors

Diptak Bhattacharya is a metallurgist, currently working as a senior researcher at General Motors Research and Development in Warren, Mich., USA. He joined GM in 2022 and works in the Advanced Metallic Processes and Products Research group, and actively engaged in research in battery materials, and design of cell and pack enclosures. Bhattacharya holds a Ph.D. in metallurgical and materials engineering from Colorado School of Mines. In his Ph.D. thesis work, he along with Prof. John Speer established the critical influence of certain alloying elements in steel, particularly silicon, on controlling the liquid metal embrittlement susceptibility of advanced high-strength steels (AHSS), which led to multiple highly cited publications in peer-reviewed journals. Prior to his Ph.D., he served three years as a technologist in Flat Products Technology group in Tata Steel Jamshedpur Works. Bhattacharya wishes to dedicate his life to research in automotive steels, particularly focusing on lightweighting of electric vehicles and increased safety, for which he believes the increased deployment of AHSS remains critical. 

JOHN BIANCHINI
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Hatch

John Bianchini is Hatch’s chairman (2017–present), chief executive officer (2012–present), and member of the board of directors (2003–present). He has enjoyed a 30-plus-year engineering career with Hatch where he has excelled at leadership roles that combined technical, project and management positions. He is an accomplished process engineer, a seasoned project manager and an experienced global business leader. He has applied his skill and effort to expand the scope and volume of Hatch’s business throughout the world, playing important roles in Hatch's growth, especially in the expansion of the business in Africa, Australia, South America and in China. As chairman and chief executive officer of Hatch, Bianchini represents a team of more than 9,000 employees located in 45 offices on six continents, with capital projects under management totaling more than US$30 billion dollars.In 2011, he was named a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science from the University of Toronto (1985), is a member of the Professional Engineers of Ontario, and is active in both the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy & Petroleum and the Canadian Society of Chemical Engineers.
 

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

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.
 

JOSEPH DZIERZAWSKI
Vice President Sales and Strategy
Primetals Technologies USA

Joseph Dzierzawski began his current role as vice president 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 BOF and EAF steelmaking operation. In 1990, he moved to SMS Concast as 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 & Steel sector. Most recently, Dzierzawski was 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.
 

KAZUO MIKE FUJISAWA
Representative
Japan Iron & Steel Federation

Kazuo Mike Fujisawa joined NKK Corporation in 1982 and has held management positions in sales, engineering and in an assistant role to CEOs.  After NKK merged with Kawasaki Steel to create JFE Steel in 2003, he has held positions in the Corporate Planning Department and Overseas Business Planning Dept.  He was on the committees and the Board of Directors of California Steel Industries from 2003 to 2016.  He is a member of worldsteel’s Communication Committee and Economic Committee.  He has spoken at a number of steel conferences around the world. Currently he is Principal, Global Business Development, JFE Steel Corporation, and JFE Steel is a member of the Japan Iron and Steel Federation, JISF.
 

JOSH GOSSNER
President
ANDRITZ Metals USA Inc.

Josh Gossner is the president of ANDRITZ Metals USA Inc.; the North American arm of ANDRITZ’s Metal Processing division. Attending Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pa., USA, Gossner graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering and embarked on a career journey that now spans two decades in the steel industry. Starting at Bricmont Inc. as a project engineer, he has been involved in projects that extend across the globe comprising of steel reheat furnaces, continuous galvanizing lines and aluminum melting furnaces. Over the course of his career, his roles and areas of responsibility including project management, engineering management, and vice president operations allowed him to gain invaluable insights across various areas of project execution and management. In 2021, Gossner assumed the role of president at ANDRITZ Metals USA Inc. following the merger and consolidation of ANDRITZ Metals North American assets. Armed with a wealth of experience, a collaborative ethos, and a passion for driving innovation, he continues to lead the company forward in their support of the metals industry. 
 

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 HOLLATZ
Executive Vice President Bar, Engineered Bar and Rebar Fabrication Products
Nucor Corporation

John Hollatz serves as Nucor’s executive vice president of Bar, Engineered Bar and Rebar Fabrication Products. He was named to his current position effective 15 May 2022, after serving two years as vice president and general manager at Nucor Steel–Decatur LLC. He began his career with Nucor in 1999 as a design engineer at Vulcraft Indiana. He then transferred to Vulcraft Nebraska as their sales engineer and, in 2005, was promoted to sales manager. Hollatz was promoted to general manager of Nucor Building Systems South Carolina in 2011, and in 2014 transferred to Vulcraft Indiana as their general manager. In 2017, he was promoted to president of the Vulcraft/Verco Group and served in that position until May 2020, when he was appointed to lead Nucor’s sheet mill operations in Decatur, Ala., USA. Hollatz received his B.S. degree in civil engineering from the University of Nebraska.
 

SANJIV LAMBA
Chief Executive Officer
Linde plc

Sanjiv Lamba was appointed chief executive officer (CEO) for Linde plc in March 2022, when he also joined the board of directors. Prior to being appointed CEO, Lamba was chief operating officer after serving as executive vice president, APAC. 

Lamba started his career in 1989 with BOC India in finance, was appointed director of finance and subsequently managing director for the India business in 2001. He has worked in a number of locations for Linde, including India, U.K., Singapore, and Germany, where he served as a member of the executive board of Linde AG. 

Lamba is a Chartered Accountant (Institute of Chartered Accountants of India) and holds a bachelor of commerce degree (Honors) from St. Xavier’s College, Calcutta University, India.
 

JANICE LEE
Managing Director and Partner
Boston Consulting Group

Janice Lee is a managing director and partner with the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), and is the global leader for their metals practice. She has extensive experience working with steel and metals companies across growth strategy, M&A, and large-scale transformations. She also leads the Sustainability and Circularity topic within Industrial Goods, supporting companies on furthering their sustainability and decarbonization agendas, and has led BCG’s IP development in scrap and recycling. Janice has an M.B.A. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sloan School of Management, and a B.A. degree in economics from the University of Chicago.
 

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.
 

STEFANO MAGGIOLINO
President and Chief Executive Officer
Tenova HYL

Stefano Maggiolino is president and chief executive officer (CEO) at Tenova HYL. He graduated as a mechanical engineer from the Politecnico of Bari in Italy. He received his master’s in administration at EGADE, the graduate business school of Tecnológico de Monterrey, and his M.B.A. at the University of North Carolina Charlotte with a specialization in Global Business and Strategy and Executive Management at IPADE. In 1996, Maggiolino joined the Techint Group in the program of Junior Professionals at Tenaris Tamsa in Veracruz, Mexico. In 1998, he returned to Italy at Techint SpA, now Tenova, as a project manager in different worldwide steelmaking projects. In 2005, he went back to Mexico in Monterrey as project director and chief operating officer at Tenova HYL, leading projects of direct reduction plants. Since 2015, he has served as president and CEO at Tenova HYL. He is listed as an inventor of different patents and author of many international papers, and has been a speaker at different international conferences.
 

FRANÇOIS-DAVID MARTINO
Executive President
John Cockerill

François-David Martino became executive president of John Cockerill Industry on 2 January 2024. Born in France, Martino pursued his education in mechanical engineering, earning degrees from CNAM in Saint-Etienne, France, and FH Weingarten, Germany. He furthered his education with an Executive M.B.A. from HEC Paris. Martino also obtained a Corporate Director Certificate from Harvard Business School. Martino's career began with roles at companies like ZF Friedrichshafen AG and PSA Peugeot Citroën, where he gained experience in supply chain management. His tenure as chief executive officer (CEO) of Becker Stahl Service GmbH in Germany saw significant growth in the automotive industry. Internationally, he led operations in China for SIEMENS Ltd. and Thyssenkrupp IS. As president and CEO of Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche Co. Ltd., in Shanghai, China, Martino contributed to increased revenue and profitability while expanding the company's presence in China. Currently serving as the executive president and CEO of John Cockerill Industry, he aims to steer the company toward its revenue targets, always prioritizing the well-being of the team and the organization.
 

STEPHEN MONTAGUE
Member of the Board
Midrex Technologies

Stephen Montague joined Midrex Technologies as a co-op student in 1987. He has served in numerous technical and commercial functions including engineering, operations, technology development, and sales. Prior to being appointed president and chief operating officer in 2016, Montague was vice president – sales and marketing. He was appointed chief executive officer in 2017. He participated in the design and start-ups of numerous MIDREX® Plants, helped develop many new technologies, and is co-inventor of several patents. Montague earned a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from North Carolina State University.
 

CARL ORRLING
Vice President of SSAB Transformation Office 
SSAB

Carl Orrling is a leader with over two decades of experience in the steel industry. As head of SSAB’s Transformation Office, he leads SSAB’s investment program to enable fossil-free steelmaking at SSAB’s Nordic Operations. Orrling has held numerous positions in operations, technology, research and development, and has been part of several major strategic projects including SSAB’s acquisition of Rautaruukki. He started his career in the steel industry at Bethlehem Steel´s Homer Research Laboratories. He holds a master’s degree in metallurgy from Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden, and a doctorate degree from Carnegie Mellon University.
 

ROLANDO PAOLONE
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technology Officer, Danieli Group
Danieli & C. SpA

Rolando Paolone graduated as a mechanical technician at A. Malignani Technical High School, Udine, Italy, in 1981. He has been with Danieli & C. SpA since 1985, starting as a design engineer in the Long Product Hot Rolling Mills Division (Danieli Morgardshammar). He took on the title of design office team leader in 1989 before being promoted to design office manager of the Rolling Mills Finishing Area in 1994. In 2001, he was promoted to the position of technical director for the Hot Rolling Mill Division for Long Products. In 2006, he was in charge of the Process & Technological Department for the Long Products Division, of which he was appointed executive vice president in 2008. In 2014, he became Danieli Research Center executive vice president. In 2017, he was promoted to chief technology officer (CTO) of the Danieli Group and became a member of the group executive board. Promoted again in 2021, he became group chief executive officer while retaining the title of CTO. In 2022, he became a member of the ABS board of directors.
 

LUCAS PIPES
Managing Director
B. Riley Securities 

Lucas Pipes is a managing director with B. Riley Securities responsible for equity research of energy, digital assets and basic materials. He has more than 15 years of experience in institutional research with a focus on these sectors. He is known for detailed industry analysis and has been recognized by Institutional Investor magazine among several industry awards. Prior to B. Riley, he held positions at Brean Capital in both equity research and wealth management. Pipes is a CFA charterholder. He earned his B.A. degree from Bard College and M.B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton.
 

CHARLES SCHMITT
President
SSAB

Chuck Schmitt is president of SSAB Americas, a leading supplier of steel plate and coil in North America. In his current role, he is responsible for directing all commercial and operational activities, as well as the overall financial performance for the Americas. Schmitt began his career in the steel industry with United States Steel Corporation’s management trainee program in 1985. In 1990, he joined IPSCO Steel Holdings and held various roles within the organization, including head of the southern business divisions at Houston, Texas, and Mobile, Ala. After the 2007 acquisition of IPSCO by SSAB, he was promoted to vice president and in 2011, he was promoted to SSAB’s group executive committee and appointed president of the SSAB Americas business division. A fourth-generation steelmaker, Schmitt received his Bachelor of Business administration degree from the University of Texas in Arlington, Texas. He sits on the board of directors for the American Iron and Steel Institute and for the Steel Manufacturers Association. In 2024, Schmitt was recognized by the Association for Iron & Steel Technology as Steelmaker of the Year.

BARRY SCHNEIDER
President and Chief Operating Officer
Steel Dynamics Inc.

Barry Schneider joined Steel Dynamics Inc. in 1995. He began his career with Steel Dynamics as the mechanical engineer for melting and casting during the initial construction and start-up of the Butler Flat Roll Division. Schneider subsequently worked as the plant mechanical engineer for the expansion of the Butler Flat Roll Division in 1998. He then spent time as a casting supervisor before becoming hot strip mill manager in 2000. In 2003, he shifted into processing and finishing and became the cold rolling and coating manager at the Butler Flat Roll Division. In 2007, Schneider was promoted to vice president and general manager of the Engineered Bar Products Division in Pittsboro, Ind., USA. In 2014, he accepted a corporate position as vice president – Bar Products, having responsibilities for the Pittsboro facility as well as the Roanoke, Va., facility. In 2016, he became senior vice president – Flat Roll Steel Group. In this capacity, he had responsibility for all of the flat-rolled divisions of Steel Dynamics: the Butler Division; the Columbus Division; The Techs facilities; the Heartland Division; and the Southwest-Sinton Division. Beginning in March 2023, Schneider was promoted to the role of president and chief operating officer of Steel Dynamics Inc. Prior to joining Steel Dynamics, Undo Schneider held positions in mechanical maintenance in both hot rolling and casting with LTV Steel in Cleveland, Ohio. He earned a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in 1990. He also earned a M.S. degree in engineering management from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in 2011. In 2019, Schneider earned an executive certificate in technology, operations, and value chain management from the MIT Sloan School of Management.
 

DAVID STICKLER
Chief Executive Officer
Hybar Steel

David Stickler serves as Hybar’s chief executive officer. Hybar was formed in August 2023 when the company closed on the US$700 million of financing necessary to build a technologically advanced, environmentally sustainable scrap metal recycling steel rebar mill in northeast Arkansas. He also serves as senior managing partner of Global Principal Partners.

Throughout his career, Stickler has invested in, structured and raised billions of dollars of capital for numerous high-profile steel projects, including a number of greenfield mini-mill projects in North America and Asia. In addition to providing and raising capital for projects, he frequently provides ongoing management assistance to the projects Global Principal Partners invests in. He has led and structured several transactions involving scrap recycling companies and scrap substitute facilities. Over the course of his career, Stickler has focused on using advanced technology as a tool to increase product capability, improve labor efficiency, reduce energy consumption and generally support his drive to operate steelmaking facilities based on profitability per time on the mill rather than the more traditional tons per year mentality. On his two most recent greenfield mini-mill projects, SeverCorr, now Steel Dynamics Inc. – Flat Roll Group Columbus Division, and Big River Steel, he led the effort to bring a high level of automation into the operations. 

Stickler is also focused on environmental sustainability and he drove Big River Steel’s efforts to become the only LEED Certified steel producer in the world (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). Most recently, under his leadership, Hybar became the first steel producer in the world to issue Climate Bonds.  

Stickler has extensive Wall Street investment banking experience, and early in his career he served in the Reagan Administration. He holds an M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a B.S. degree in accounting from Bowling Green State University.
 

TIMNA TANNERS
Managing Director
Wolfe Research

Timna Tanners joined Wolfe Research as a managing director in October 2021 covering the metals and mining industry. She joined Wolfe Research from BofA Securities, where she covered the U.S. metals and mining sector since 2002 and the Latin America metals and mining sector since 2017. Prior to BofA Securities, Tanners covered the metals, materials and steel industries at UBS. Since 2013, she has been ranked #1 in Institutional Investor’s All America Poll. She received her B.A.
 degree in politics from Pomona College, an M.S. degree in journalism from Northwestern University, and an M.B.A. from UCLA.
 

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.
 

KARTHIK VALLURU
Managing Director and Partner
Boston Consulting Group.

Karthik Valluru is a managing director and partner with the Atlanta, Ga., USA, office of the Boston Consulting Group. Valluru has extensive experience advising clients across the materials and process industries sector including metals, mining, building materials, chemicals and agribusiness.

He is a member of the firm’s global Industrial Goods leadership team and leads the materials and process industries sector globally.

He is also actively involved in the Atlanta community as a board member of the Metro Atlanta Y and working with several non-profits as part of BCG’s Social Impact practice.

Valluru holds an M.B.A. from The Indian School of Business. He is also a qualified Chartered Accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.
 

JIANG WEI
Vice Chairman and Secretary General
CISA 

Jiang Wei holds a master's degree and is a senior engineer. He currently serves as the Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and is the vice chairman and secretary-general of the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA). He is also the executive vice chairman of the Human Resources Working Committee. He started his career in 1994 and has held various positions, including deputy secretary of the Communist Youth League of China of the Personnel Education Department of the Central Iron & Steel Research Institute, manager of the Human Resources Department of Gang Yan Diamond Products Co., deputy director of the Organization and Personnel Department of CISA, secretary of the Communist Youth League of China, director of the Personnel Department, deputy director and director of the Organization and Personnel Department, deputy secretary-general, and secretary of the Party Committee of the China Metallurgical Information and Standardization Institute. He has been serving as the deputy secretary of the Party Committee of CISA since 2020 and has been appointed as the vice chairman and secretary-general of the Sixth Council of CISA since February 2023.
 

WU WENZHANG
Founder and Chairman
Shanghai SteelHome 

Wu Wenzhang, Founder and Chairman of Shanghai SteelHome Information Technology Co. Ltd.; Senior Metallurgical Engineer, Director of China Price Association, and Vice President of the Metallurgical Price Branch

Since 1984, Wu Wenzhang has been working at Ma'anshan Iron & Steel Co., engaging in metallurgical teaching, scientific research and market analysis. He has held positions as director of the Metallurgical Teaching and Research Office at Ma'anshan Iron & Steel Workers University and director of Market Research Department at Ma'anshan Iron & Steel. In 1992, he ventured into founding a small iron plant and served as its director. Since 2001, he has been dedicated to steel internet operations and market research in Shanghai, establishing operational and profitable models for steel professional website information and business services. In August 2004, he co-founded SteelHome website with his partners. He has published over 10 professional technical research papers in journals above the provincial and ministerial level. Additionally, he has contributed hundreds of market and industry analysis articles to professional publications such as China Metallurgical News and World Metal Bulletin. He has conducted marketing training for major domestic steel enterprises and trading companies and taught classes for EMBA programs specializing in steel, financial derivatives, and logistics at prestigious domestic universities such as Tsinghua University, Zhejiang University, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, and Shanghai University. Since 2006, Wu Wenzhang has been invited annually to participate in international steel conferences in over 20 countries and regions including the United States, the U.K., France, and Germany, delivering keynote speeches. He enjoys a high reputation in both domestic and international steel markets.