Mill Steel is one of the country’s largest distributors of flat-rolled carbon steel, and the appointment makes Heglund the first woman president of a steel service center of that size, the company said in a statement. Heglund is the granddaughter of Mill Steel founder Harry S. Samrick.

"This appointment is very meaningful for me," said Mill Steel CEO David Samrick, who is Heglund’s uncle.

"I've watched Pam grow up in the steel industry and have always had great confidence in her decisions. She has my father's gift as a commercial leader, and it became very clear that steel truly is in her blood," he said.

Heglund joined the company as an intern during the summer of 2000 as she finished up requirements for her business management degree at Grand Valley State University in Michigan. For the past five years, she has served as vice president of sales and has helped to grow the company.  

Mill Steel said it has had consistent double-digit growth in the last decade. In 2014, it opened a new facility in Jeffersonville, Ind., its largest to date. And in January 2016, it expanded through an acquisition in Anderson, Ind.

"Pam played an integral part in positioning Mill Steel as an industry leader and building the robust book of business we have today. I have no doubt her expert leadership will remain constant in the new position, and this progressive transition will be seamless," said chief operating officer and chief financial officer Eric Lambert.