Economy
AIST Names New President for 2019-2020
Written by Sandy Williams
May 8, 2019
Ronald J. O’Malley has been appointed president of the Association for Iron & Steel Technology (AIST) for 2019–2020. O’Malley succeeds James F. Dudek of United States Steel Corp. O’Malley is the F. Kenneth Iverson Chair Professor in Steelmaking Technologies and director of the Kent D. Peaslee Steel Manufacturing Research Center at the Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, Mo.
O’Malley said that taking on the presidency will give him an opportunity to return something to the organization. “AIST has given me so much, and I’ve reached a stage in my career where I feel like I can give back. I have always been active in AIST, but going forward, my rotation on the AIST executive committee gives me an opportunity to serve the larger AIST membership.”
He also said the position will give him a place from which to rally support for continued research and education in the steel industry. “AIST has provided some opportunities to help us support and maintain educators in our field. I’d like to see that bolstered and expanded.”
AIST announced its 2019–2020 executive committee and board of directors during AISTech 2019, the organization’s annual conference and exposition, held May 6-9 May in Pittsburgh.
Also appointed as officers were:
- First Vice President: Steven J. Henderson, vice president and chief supply chain officer, Commercial Metals Company, Irving, Texas
- Second Vice President: Keith J. Howell, chief operating officer, USA Operations, ArcelorMittal USA, Burns Harbor, Ind.
- Past President: James F. Dudek, vice president, asset revitalization and manufacturing excellence, United States Steel Corp., Gary, Ind.
- First Officer-at-Large: Barry T. Schneider, senior vice president, Flat Roll Steel Group, Steel Dynamics Inc., Fort Wayne, Ind.
- Second Officer-at-Large: Brian K. Bishop, vice president, carbon steel operations, AK Steel, West Chester, Ohio
- Third Officer-at-Large: Thomas C. Toner, vice president, operations, SSAB Americas, Mobile, Ala.
- Fourth Officer-at-Large: Allen C. Behr, vice president and general manager, Nucor Steel-Texas, Jewett, Texas
- Treasurer: Joseph Dzierzawski, global director, technology and business development, Iron & Steel, Hatch Associates Consultants Inc., Pittsburgh, Pa.
- Secretary: Ronald E. Ashburn, executive director, Association for Iron & Steel Technology, Warrendale, Pa.
AIST is an international technical association of more than 17,500 professional and student members, representing iron and steel producers, their allied suppliers and related academia. The association is dedicated to advancing the technical development, production, processing and application of iron and steel.
Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Economy
Fed indicators show continued stability in manufacturing
Recent Federal Reserve data indicates that the US manufacturing sector remains healthy and stable. The strength of the manufacturing economy has a direct relationship to the health of the steel industry.
January energy market update
In this Premium analysis we cover North American oil and natural gas prices, drilling rig activity, and crude oil stock levels. Trends in energy prices and active rig counts are leading demand indicators for oil country tubular goods (OCTG), line pipe and other steel products.
New York state manufacturing fell in January
“Price increases, while subdued, picked up,” Richard Deitz, Economic Research Advisor at the New York Fed. “Firms grew more optimistic that conditions would improve in the months ahead.”
Beige Book shows mixed economic trends, manufacturing challenges, tariff concerns
Economic activity across the US experienced slight to moderate growth at the end of 2024, while manufacturing activity showed a slight decline
Contractors concerned about tariffs, immigration in 2025: AGC survey
AGC said Trump should be “sparing” in imposing new tariffs and exclude products needed for domestic manufacturing, energy and infrastructure.