History of the AIST Midwest Member Chapter
The Association of Iron and Steel Engineers (AISE) Chicago District Section was formed in 1915. The Iron and Steel Society (ISS) Midwest Coke, Iron & Steel Local Section was formed in 1976. In 2004, with the merger of AISE and ISS, AISE Chicago District Section and the ISS Midwest Coke, Iron & Steel District Section were combined to form the AIST Midwest Member Chapter. The Midwest Member Chapter is the largest AIST member chapter with more than 1,600 members, and includes North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Northern Indiana and a small portion of Northwestern Illinois.
►Past Member Chapter Events
Chapter Officer History
2019–2020
Chair: Rich Trzcinski, ProcessPlus
Vice Chair: Mitch Day, Linde/Praxair
Secretary: Mario Munguia
Treasurer: Ron Smolen, H.A. Smolen Co.
2018–2019
Chair: Tony Kmitta, ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor
Vice Chair: Rich Trzcinski, EQ Engineers
Secretary: Mario Munguia
Treasurer: Ron Smolen, H.A. Smolen Co.
2017–2018
Chair: Steve Civanich, NALCO Water, An Ecolab Company
Vice Chair: Anthony Kmitta, ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor
Secretary: Mario Munguia
Treasurer: Ron Smolen, H.A. Smolen Co.
2016–2017
Chair: Clifford Chatman, ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor
Vice Chair: Steve Civanich, NALCO Water, An Ecolab Company
Secretary: Mario Munguia
Treasurer: Ron Smolen, H.A. Smolen Co.
2015–2016
Chair: Love Kalra, ArcelorMittal Indiana Harbor
Vice Chair: Cliff Chatman, ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor
Secretary: Mario Munguia
Treasurer: Ron Smolen, H.A. Smolen Co.
2014–2015
Chair: Paul Behnke, U. S. Steel - Gary Works
Vice Chair: Love Kalra, ArcelorMittal Indiana Harbor
Secretary: Mario Munguia
Treasurer: Tom Cipich, Superior Engineering LLC
2013–2014
Chair: Kelly Dallas, ArcelorMittal USA
Vice Chair: Paul Behnke, U. S. Steel - Gary Works
Secretary: Mario Munguia, The American Group of Constructors
Treasurer: Tom Cipich, Superior Engineering LLC
2012–2013
Chair: Ron Smolen, H.A. Smolen Co.
Vice Chair: Kelly Dallas, ArcelorMittal USA
Secretary: Christine Knuth, Maverick Technologies
Treasurer: Tom Cipich, Superior Engineering LLC
2011–2012
Chair: Barry Felton, ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor
Vice Chair: Ron Smolen, H.A. Smolen Company
Secretary: Christine Knuth, Maverick Technologies
Treasurer: Tom Cipich, Superior Engineering LLC
2010–2011
Chair: Fred Shenvar, ArcelorMittal Indiana Harbor
Vice Chair: Barry Felton, ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor
Secretary: Christine Knuth, Maverick Technologies
Treasurer: Kenneth Kaniewski, Rockwell Automation
2009–2010
Chair: Bruce Barker, Harsco Minerals
Vice Chair: Lou Covelli, U. S. Steel – Gary Works
Secretary: Thomas Cipich, Integrated Project Resources
Treasurer: Robert Kuhn, Riverside Refractories
2008–2009
Chair: James Finley, ArcelorMittal Indiana Harbor
Vice Chair: Bruce Barker, National Recovery Systems
Secretary: Thomas Cipich, Superior Engineering LLC
Treasurer: Robert Kuhn, Riverside Refractories, Inc.
2007–2008
Chair: Nick Prabhu, ArcelorMittal Steel Indiana Harbor
Vice Chair: James Finley, ArcelorMittal Steel Indiana Harbor
Secretary: Thomas Cipich, Integrated Project Resources
Treasurer: Robert Kuhn, Riverside Refractories, Inc.
2006–2007
Chair: Thomas Gill, Frank H. Gill Company
Vice Chair: Nick Prabhu, Mittal Steel USA – Indiana Harbor
Secretary: Thomas Cipich, Integrated Project Resources
Treasurer: Robert Kuhn, Riverside Refractories, Inc.
2005–2006
Chair: John Rotroff, U. S. Steel – Gary Works
Vice Chair: Chris Locke, Mittal Steel USA – Burns Harbor
Secretary: Thomas Cipich, Integrated Project Resources
Treasurer: Robert Kuhn, Riverside Refractories, Inc.
2004–2005
Chair: Dale Heinz, ISG – Burns Harbor, Inc.
Vice Chair: William Breedlove, National Recovery Systems
Secretary: Harry Hefter, HOH Engineers, Inc.
Treasurer: Robert Kuhn, Riverside Refractories, Inc.
2003–2004 (AISE)
Chair: Mary Frankovich, ISG – Burns Harbor, Inc.
Vice Chair: Olan Smith, IPSCO Enterprises Inc.
Secretary: Harry Hefter, HOH Engineers, Inc.
2002–2003 (AISE)
Chair: Vern Jones, Ispat Inland Inc.
Vice Chair: Mary Frankovich, Bethlehem Steel Corporation
Secretary: Harry Hefter, HOH Engineers, Inc.
2001–2002 (AISE)
Chair: Larry Scott, U. S. Steel – Gary Works
Vice Chair: Vern Jones, Ispat Inland Inc.
Secretary: Harry Hefter, HOH Engineers, Inc.
2000–2001 (AISE)
Chair: Donald Giedemann, LTV Steel Company
Vice Chair: Larry Scott, U. S. Steel – Gary Works
Secretary: Harry Hefter, HOH Engineers, Inc.
1999–2000 (AISE)
Chair: Donald Giedemann, LTV Steel Company
Secretary: Harry Hefter, HOH Engineers, Inc.
1998–1999 (AISE)
Chair: John Bryant, Bethlehem Steel Corporation
Vice Chair: Jim D’Orazio, Inland Steel Company
Secretary: Harry Hefter, HOH Engineers, Inc.