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Letter from the "Proxy Editor"
Wendy Austin
Seattle Chapter President |
Hi all,
Probably not surprising to most of us, Sheri Burdette, International Marketing Chair and Metal Mail Editor, has managed to spread herself even thinner! With wearing more hats at the office than ever before and still pulling together funds to make our Annual Conference in September better than ever, Sheri needed a little break. Long story short, I get to be the proxy editor for this edition. Wow!
I am Wendy Austin, the current president of the Seattle Chapter. I've had the pleasure of assisting Sheri for a little over a year now in the preparation and publishing of "Metal Mail." Although I never thought I had much interest in journalism, my commitment to starting a Seattle chapter newsletter three years ago has led to a new enthusiasm for the written word.
I have been surprised by thoughtful, entertaining and educational articles from places I didn't expect. I am delighted by talent I wouldn't have suspected and generally am in awe of more skilled and gifted women and men than you can imagine. It proves once again how volunteering your time in AWMI not only hones talents you already use, but opens doors to some that otherwise may never have seen the light of day.
Read more...
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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 Luck!?
Leah Mojeski
Toronto Chapter
Past President
(ArcelorMittal Dofasco)
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I recently attended an event whereby one of the panel speakers claimed that
Luck = Preparation + Opportunity. The subject of the event was female participation at the board level and how gender equality still remains elusive in Canada's boardrooms. Research indicates that there is a strong correlation between women's representation on boards and better financial performance. Adding diversity to the senior ranks will bring different perspectives to situations and provide unique opportunities. But where previous board experience is required, how do you break through the gender gap to market your candidacy?
Serving on a non-profit board, such as the AWMI, can help prepare you for the board experience. It is a unique environment where your potential is tapped to successfully lead, manage and grow your chapter. These are skills that are readily transferable to the work environment.
Attending AWMI events and conferences will provide opportunities. Opportunities to network with peers and colleagues. Opportunities to gain new contacts and industry insight. Opportunities to further expand your education and skills.
Some may say that it was "luck" that got you to where you are today. I, however, have to agree with the panelist. It is the preparation and opportunities that we actively pursue that take us to the top.
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Do you have comments,
questions or
suggestions regarding
"Metal Mail"?
Contact the editor here.
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President's Message
Jacque Cech - International President (Minnesota Chapter)
Volunteers are regular people who donate their time to help organizations by personal choice and without pay. Volunteering is an expression of concern about something other than you. It is about working with others who share a common goal.
What makes a good volunteer?
A good volunteer is someone who can manage their time well - someone who is organized and willing to learn. A good volunteer is also someone who is excited about being involved, flexible and most importantly has a positive attitude.
Like most not for profit organizations, AWMI volunteers far outnumber the paid staff. This makes our volunteers that much more important to our success. How you as a volunteer interact with one another on every level of the organization is critical. It is important to see each and every task to fruition, turn reports in on time, and return phone calls and emails in a timely and courteous manner.
Remember, we are ALL working towards the same goal; to make AWMI successful at every level and our members successful at every level within the metals industry.
 A Note from the Executive Director
Haley J. Brust - Executive Director
(Talley Management Group)
I have been in the association business for 18 wonderful years and I feel I have come full circle. This got me thinking how it all began and how I got to where I am today.
The first thing that popped into my mind was that if I hadn't joined my industry associations (yes, at one time I belonged to five) then I would not have met the wonderful people I know today. I would not have learned what I know now, and I would not be the person I am today. It is through these relationships and the great educational events offered to me, that I was able to go from one passion, meeting planner, to another, executive director.
My trip down "Memory Lane" brought me to:
- Remembering the first event I attended – an industry dinner. I knew no one in attendance, making me feel like a wallflower. We all know how that feels! By the end of the night, that had changed. I met eight new people and walked away really liking the person I was seated next to that evening. That person and I started a working relationship and built a strong personal friendship. From then on, I met more and more people and didn't care if I was that wallflower for cocktail hour. I knew by the end of the evening I would be part of the group. The best thing is today I can go to any function by myself and know half the room ... many of who have become wonderful friends outside of work.
Read more...
 AWMI Annual Conference:
Are You Ready?
Mary Becker - International Programs Chair (Chicago Chapter)
Preparations for the 2010 AWMI Annual Conference are almost complete! Mark your calendars for Sept. 16-19 at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, AZ and join us for this incredible networking and educational opportunity.
This year’s conference will showcase keynote presentations from Vicki Avril (President and CEO) TMK IPSCO, and Ken Hoffman (Sector Head – Metals & Mining) Bloomberg Industry Research. Additionally, you won't want to miss our two industry panel discussions. Our manufacturing panel will feature Gloria Georger (Plant Manager) Ford Motor Company – Chicago Stamping Plant, Ryan Gustafson (Global Segment Manager Steel, Forgings, Undercarriage & GET) Caterpillar, and William Hippard (Vice President – Sales, Building Products) Precoat Metals. Our lobbyist panel will feature Eileen Bradner (Sr. Director & Counsel, Federal Government Affairs) Nucor Corporation.
Not only will our attendees be taking home relevant industry information and forecasts, they will also further develop their leadership skills.
CLICK HERE AND REGISTER TODAY!
Are High Raw Material Prices Good for Steel?
A commentary from Murat Askin, General Manager
(SteelOrbis Americas)
Note that the views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect the views of AWMI.
In case you missed the steel mills crying foul over the iron ore contracts, let me just remind you of a few sound bites.
Eurofer, which represents European steel mills, has complained to the European commission about the possible price fixing scheme by the three major iron ore producers, namely Vale, Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton. Some went further and accused the three miners of being an oligopoly. The fury was unleashed when the steel mills couldn't agree on yearly contracts and settled for quarterly pricing updates. Miners were also asking for almost a 100 percent increase, up from $60/mt to $110-$120/mt. To add insult to injury, two of these big boys, Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton, would like to merge Australian mining operations and further increase their pricing power. This way, they could control production and charge customers whatever they would like, even in this crummy global economy. How else can you make a 100 percent price increase work in this recessionary environment?
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 2009 Member of the Year: Tamela Olt
Sian Marcone - International Vice President (Baltimore Chapter)
AWMI is proud to announce that Tamela Olt, International Membership Chair and member of the Chicago Chapter, has been chosen as the 2009 AWMI International Member of the Year. This prestigious award recognizes one special AWMI member who has advanced the goals and objectives of our association in a way that surpasses the expectations of a simple job description.
Tammy graduated from Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Marketing and minoring in psychology. She began her metals career at National Steel Corporation in November 1984 and held positions of Inside Sales Representative, Inside Sales Manager, Sales Representative and Account Manager for the electrical steel market. She currently is a Senior Regional Sales Manager with SSAB Americas, covering the areas of Chicago, Colorado, Oregon and Washington, having been with SSAB (formally IPSCO) since October 2001.
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 Take Advantage of "Mentor of the Month" Program
Loretta Wysocki - International Mentoring Chair
(Philadelphia Chapter)
Mentoring loosely defined is the transition of knowledge and support from a mentor to a person being mentored. It is communication and relationship based.
If you are interested in advancing your career, industry knowledge or professional development be sure to take advantage of good solid advice from an experienced executive through AWMI’s Mentor of the Month program. To access the mentors go to the AWMI website and click on Mentoring Corner (as a member you will be asked to log on), the current month and Mentor available will be listed and you can click on her name and send her a direct email ... yes, it is as simple as that and she will answer you within two weeks. While there, you can also read the bios of all of the Mentors to see where their areas of expertise lie. The questions you ask are often those issues that these women have faced themselves.
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International Women's Day - March 8, 2010
Interview with Donna Peters reproduced with permission of ArcelorMittal.
You may be surprised to learn that International Women's Day has been observed since the early 1900’s. In 1910 at the International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen a motion was made by Clara Zetkin, the leader of the "Women's Office" for the German Social Democratic Party. She proposed that every year on the same day there should be a celebration in every country to spotlight discrimination and press women's demands. The gathering of over 100 women from 17 countries representing unions, socialist parties, working women's clubs and the first three women elected to the Finnish parliament, unanimously approved and International Women's Day was born.
This year ArcelorMittal chose to observe the day by interviewing some of their female employees for their company's newsletter. One of the women selected was our very own International Treasurer, Donna Peters, who, you will not be surprised to find out, graciously shared the spotlight with AWMI.
Thank you, Donna, for not only allowing our organization some excellent press, but for your years of service to both AWMI and the metals industry in general. You are truly a marvelous example of what International Women’s Day is all about.
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Interview with Donna Peters
 Donna Peters, Quality Assurance Engineer, ArcelorMittal Indiana Harbor has worked in the steel industry for over 30 years. Originally from Pittsburgh, Donna works with 12 other engineers to ensure our customers receive quality products.
Why did you decide to work with the AWMI?
I joined a local chapter back in the mid 1990s and worked my way up. I thought they were a wonderful group of women with great programs. I wanted a network of women I could connect with and who had similar interests. I also wanted to find mentors and be a mentor myself.
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 Spotlight:
Eddie Kane Steel Products, Inc.
At the turn of the century, ten years ago, Augustine F.X. (Gus) Kane started a secondary steel distribution company that he named after his father who had been in the steel business since the 1950’s. Eddie Kane Steel opened its doors in New Jersey in January 2000 with just one employee (a woman, of course).
After assembling a small team of bright, hardworking, and energetic individuals, the company opened its first value-added processing facility in Masury, in the Mahoning Valley in Northeastern Ohio, as phase one of a growth plan to maintain a diverse inventory of excess prime hot-rolled carbon steel plate and provide value-added services for the company’s growing customer base. In 2008 and 2009, three facilities were added in strategic locations throughout the United States: a warehouse and processing facility in Hertford County, North Carolina (2008) and sales, distribution, and processing facilities in Los Angeles and the Chicago area (2009). The company’s corporate office is in Sea Girt, New Jersey, with additional sales offices in Florida and New Jersey.
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