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 Letter from the Editor
Sheri Burdette
International
Marketing Chair
(Carolinas Chapter) |
I hope this edition of Metal Mail finds everyone settled in for the Fall. With the rollercoaster of events this past year, I feel safe to say that many of us are glad that the fourth quarter is almost here, and very soon we will be saying "goodbye" (and "good riddance!") to 2009. There are still many things left to do this year; however. The MOST important thing is to REGISTER for the 2009 AWMI ANNUAL CONFERENCE. We have a terrific line up for you starting with Dan DiMicco as the keynote speaker for the opening reception. He is followed by a fantastic panel of speakers that is sure to have something for everyone.
Once the weather starts to cool down a bit, we look forward to all of those things specific to Fall ... school, football, and the Annual AWMI Membership Drive. Our International Membership Chair, Tammy Olt, has done such a fantastic job on the 2010 Campaign. Check out the details on our website or email Tammy with any questions that you have. Get your renewals in early ... and tell your friends how valuable AWMI has been for you and your career. We do not want anyone to miss out on the opportunity of membership in AWMI.
I hope you all enjoy your tailgating parties, long afternoons on the golf course, or spending time with your families ... 2009 will be gone before we know it. (Thank goodness!)
Until then ...
P.S.: I wish to personally thank Wendy Austin (AWMI Seattle Chapter President) for compiling this ENTIRE issue of "Metal Mail". THANK YOU, Wendy, for all of your hard work and dedication to AWMI. What a terrific job!!! Please take a minute to tell Wendy what you think. |
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Have News to Share? |
Do you have articles, press releases, or professional achievements you would like to share with our community? Submit industry-related news to Sheri Burdette for review and possible publication.
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 What AWMI Means to Me
Donna Peters
International Treasurer
(Chicago Chapter)
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I have been in the industry for over 30 years and a member of AWMI for close to 20 years. When I first joined I was looking for a network where I could meet people who had similar experiences in the industry. It was at that time that I had decided that this really was a career and not just a job. Over those years I progressed from a member to a volunteer and eventually to a board member. I’ve been fortunate to serve at a chapter, regional and international level. In that time I have definitely fulfilled my original goal of finding a network of like-minded individuals. In addition I have developed a strong group of friends who I know will always be there to support me both professionally and personally. Any board member will tell you how much they have gained from the efforts they put into serving on a board. The professional growth is profound. You do learn to manage a business and you get an opportunity to push yourself as far as you are willing to go. But beyond that you will meet the most awesome group of people who come from every walk of life. As a result of my time on the board, I have met men and women from coast- to-coast and have formed long time friendships with many of these members.
Read more...
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 Looking Forward
Tammy Olt
International
Membership Chair (Chicago Chapter) |
As we now move to the fourth quarter and recap our membership of 2009, we are proud to report AWMI is 1000 members strong. This year has presented challenges to most in the metal industries and we hope AWMI has been the steadfast organization you have turned to. Although we did come up a bit short from the goal we had set in August of 2008; we have weathered through 2009 and look forward to 2010. Indications are business levels are moving up and we are all hopeful for 2010. We will begin our 2010 membership campaign in the upcoming weeks. Repeating on the success of 2009, we will be an offering the opportunity for registration and hotel accommodations for the 2010 Annual Conference in Tucson, Arizona to one lucky member. In addition there will be other exciting offers at the chapter level. Details will be distributed with your renewals. Watch for it in October!
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"Metal Mail"? |
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President's Message
Jacque Cech - International President (Minnesota Chapter)
 AWMI Annual Conferences:
A Benefit of Membership
A significant benefit of your AWMI membership is the opportunity to attend annual conferences. This year’s conference is in beautiful San Diego California.
On behalf of the Annual Conference Program Committee and the hosting Western Region I would like to take this opportunity and invite you to attend the 2009 Annual Conference. This Conference promises three full days of education and networking along with a tour of General Dynamic’s NASSCO– the only major ship construction yard on the West Coast of the United States.
AWMI has further expanded its commitment to developing leadership skills, and providing education, mentoring, and networking that contribute to successful careers in the metal industries. Our Annual Conference provides members
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 A Note from the Executive Director
Haley J. Brust - Executive Director
(Talley Management Group)
As you all may know the 2009 membership year is coming to a close. Despite the uncertainty of the economy, AWMI had a wonderful year. There is still the month of September for a few more dues renewals to trickle in, but it looks like we will end the year with 1000 members - yea! we broke that 1000 mark.
Of course the focus has been centered mostly on membership, but now it is time to turn our focus to San Diego and the 2009 Annual Conference. It looks like a beautiful venue and the program is terrific. There is always something fun to do in San Diego and I hope everyone has the opportunity to attend our conference.
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 AWMI Annual Conference
Catherine Crews - International Programs Chair
(Chicago Chapter)
The lineup speaks for itself, but I cannot stress how important information is in a tough economy. AWMI's Annual Conference is one of the year’s best buys. and we have additional value – a guided, bus tour of General Dynamics NASSCO. This tour is limited to 30 participants, so email Amanda Jordan (ajordan@talley.com) to reserve your spot. You will hear from many top executives in the metal industry as well as renowned economists providing information on our markets and how they relate to the American and Global economy. Get a glimpse into 2010 and help your company create a strong hold in the metal industries.
Read more...
 AWMI Website Tip: Call for Photographs!
Sian Marcone -
International Vice President/Website Committee Chair
(Baltimore Chapter)
Perhaps you’ve noticed under the "Quick Links" section of the AWMI home page a link to a Photo Gallery. Until now, this hasn’t been an active section of the website, but we’d like to change that with your help.
This is the ideal place to post photos of AWMI events at the Chapter, Regional and International levels. Maybe someone got a great group shot at a mill tour, a superb speaker photo, or captured the fun at the 19th hole at one of our golf outings. There’s a lot going on in the world of AWMI, and we should showcase that.
So start looking through your collections or start snapping! Email your pictures (JPG format, 6Kb max.) to me at sian.marcone@severstalna.com. Please include a one-line description of the photo and identify those in the photo by name and chapter, if possible. We’ll post them to the Photo Gallery and rotate the pictures each month. |
 AWMI Member Benefit
Loretta Wysocki - International
Mentor Chair
(Philadelphia Chapter)
As AWMI’s International Mentoring Chair, I am pleased to announce our latest member benefit.
On October 2, 2009 we will launch our Mentor of the Month Program where you, as AWMI members, can email one of six women who are also AWMI members with your business-related questions (only business related questions...AWMI questions should be directed to the appropriate AWMI leader). These women are presidents or vice presidents of their companies and come to the table with both experience and title and have offered our members a priceless "give back" to both our members and our industries.
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 What AWMI Means
to Me
Barbara Tucholke
Wisconsin Newsletter Chair
(Ideas By Design, LLC)
The events of that Fall day in 1996 are forever burned on my brain. I had no idea what I was getting into. All I knew was that I was seated in a dimly-lit conference room with three other women, a pot of hot coffee and a box of fresh donuts - you know, the kind that beckon you softly, ‘go ahead and take a bite’. Valorie, another unsuspecting woman, and I were seated opposite of Lisa and Jayne. You could tell that Lisa and Jayne were well-seasoned veterans, both with welcoming smiles, yet with just a hint of slyness that piqued one’s curiosity.
We began with cursory introductions. Gulp of coffee, bite of donut, wipe of powdered sugar. And then the questions came. Relentless, almost endless, they came one after another. "How long have you been in the industry?" "What sort of activities interest you?" "Would you like a refill on your coffee?" My mind was reeling as beads of sweat began to form on my brow. ‘How did I get here’, I thought to myself. And then I saw it sitting right in front of Jayne. A piece of paper bearing my name, in my own handwriting, and a checkmark next to "I am interested in learning more about serving on the Wisconsin Chapter board."
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Rare Earth Metals 101
Wendy Austin - Seattle Chapter President
(Alaskan Copper & Brass)
Since it’s "back to school" time, how about a crash course on rare earth metals?
Rare earth metals are actually the 15 elements on the periodic table from 57 – 71. The
elements are called "rare earths" because of the uncommon oxide-type minerals (earths) when first discovered in Ytterby, Sweden in 1787. It was not until the late 1950s to early 1960s and the development of advanced separation techniques that all the rare earths were finally identified.
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AWMI: Exposure to Opportunities for Growth
Belinda Coker - Carolinas Chapter President
(Nucor Steel - Berkeley)
Over the last year and a half several people have asked, "So, what does it mean to become a member of AWMI"? My response to that question is very simple: Exposure to opportunities for growth. The meetings offer a wide range of topics, speakers, attendees with various backgrounds and networking. This platform allows one to observe, listen, engage and learn.
The Carolinas Chapter had a meeting last July that featured Rachael Maw, a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Nurse. She presented information about how one can recognize signs of stress and what we can do to alter the body’s reaction in stressful situations. It was surprising to find out that 75% - 90% of all doctor visits are due to stress-related ailments and disorders! Overall the meeting was wonderful and Rachael was an excellent speaker.
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Texas Chapter Recap
Maureen Horn - Texas Chapter Membership Chair
(TMK - Ipsco)
The Texas Chapter is off to a busy 2009. Our April and July events were both successful industry dinners! In April, the Chapter was honored to have Vicki Avril, President and Chief Executive Officer of TMK IPSCO, share an overview of the company and share her unique insight in surviving and differentiating yourself in a difficult economic market. With 32 years in the commodity industries, she has a wealth of experience on ups and downs in the market!
Our July industry dinner stayed with a similar theme, setting yourself and your company apart from the competition. Ron Dechiro, Supply Chain Commodity Manager with Anadarko Petroleum, joined us to discuss Supplier Relationship Management and the benefits Anadarko has seen from their focus on performance management and relationship development with suppliers and customers.
Thankfully our next gathering will be our Second Annual Golf Outing Thursday, October 15th where we can enjoy the beautiful Houston Fall weather after a long hot summer. Topping our last two speakers would be impossible!
"Hi Y'all" from the Southern Region
Christine Colburn - Southern Region Director
(Nucor Steel - Tuscaloosa)
With summer behind us and the fall season fast approaching, we are looking forward to several great events in the Region, besides college football!
In August, we all went to beautiful Charleston, South Carolina for the executive committee meeting, and one evening we even had time to have dinner with two ladies from the Carolinas chapter, which was wonderful.
The Tennessee Chapter is having a Cruise on the Mississippi River on September 16th, with Ladd Hall from Nucor as the speaker. I went last year, and it was great! Go to Memphis, have some ribs at Rendezvous, then spend the evening with the Tennessee Chapter.
The Texas Chapter is having its golf tournament on October 15th in Katy, Texas. It should be a good time, and hopefully a great fundraiser!
Read more...
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