Steel Products

NexGen Leadership Award Winner to Spend a Day with SDI CEO
Written by John Packard
June 4, 2019
As one perk of the award, the winner of the SMU NexGen Leadership Award will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to spend the day with one of the most interesting and accomplished CEOs in the steel industry, Mark Millett, Co-Founder, President and CEO of Steel Dynamics Inc.
Mark D. Millett is President and Chief Executive Officer of Steel Dynamics. Mark co-founded Steel Dynamics in 1993 and has been instrumental in building the company from its inception to its current status as one of the largest steel producers and metals recyclers in the United States. Mark has served on the company’s board of directors since inception and was named Chief Executive Officer in January 2012. Since that time the company has expanded significantly through organic growth investments, the transformational acquisition of its Columbus Flat Roll Division, and more recently with the acquisition of its Heartland Flat Roll Division.
This is the first year for the SMU NexGen Leadership Award, which will be presented to one of the accomplished nominees from manufacturing, fabrication, distribution, toll processing, steel mills or other companies associated with mild carbon or advanced high-strength steels.
The nomination process is now open. If you would like to nominate someone, or would like to nominate yourself, here is information about the nomination process:
Nomination Criteria
There are many ways leadership and creativity can be displayed at your company, and no two companies are exactly alike. What we have listed below are some general guidelines, but they should not be construed as covering all the potential attributes that would determine who should be nominated. We encourage you and your company to submit the names of those you feel are truly exceptional emerging leaders within your organization.
Here are some things to think about when considering making a nomination.
Innovation:
- Identified ways to improve processes or service delivery
- Implemented change in a creative manner
Leadership:
- Inspired and encouraged professional and personal development in self and others
- Contributed to the success of an initiative that benefited those outside his/her own department
- Assisted in attracting other young people into the industry
Rising Star:
- Recognized by peers as a positive force within the company
- Outstanding contributions toward completing a successful project and/or a change management program
Nomination and Application Process
Candidates for the SMU NexGen Leadership Award will be no more than 35 years of age as of August 1, 2019.
- Candidates must work within the greater steel community. This includes manufacturing or fabrication companies that utilize mild carbon or automotive grade steels in their products, steel distributors (service centers or wholesalers), steel mills, trading companies or toll processors.
- No minimum tenure in the industry is required, however the nominee must still be employed by the company making the nomination.
How to Nominate Someone
Self-nomination and/or nomination by a colleague or peer:
- Nominations will be made by sending the following information to Events@SteelMarketUpdate.com (please put in header SMU NexGen Leadership Award Nomination)
- Name, phone number and email of person making the nomination
- Name of nominee
- Job title
- Company name
- Email of nominee
- Telephone number of nominee
- Reason why person is being nominated (not to exceed 1,000 words)
- Supporting documentation or evidence
- Nominations must be received no later than June 28, 2019
Perks for Nominees
- All nominees will be invited to a special dinner at 6 p.m. Tuesday, August 27, following the SMU Steel Summit networking reception. Joining the nominees will be executives from Steel Market Update, CRU and the Steel Manufacturers Association.
- Nominees selected to be on the “short-list” (3-5 finalists) will be given complimentary access to the 2019 SMU Steel Summit Conference, including flights and accommodations (not to exceed $1,000 per person). Those on the short list will be notified by August 1, 2019.
- Nominees will be able to register for the SMU Steel Summit Conference at a rate of $675 instead of $1,375.
Judging
The award will be judged by a panel of industry leaders and experts selected by Steel Market Update and the CRU Group. The winner and finalists will be chosen before the 2019 SMU Steel Summit Conference.
Announcement of the Winner
Announcement of the winner and finalists will be made at the 2019 SMU Steel Summit Conference on Tuesday, August 27.
The announcement will also be made in that evening’s Steel Market Update newsletter and on both the SMU and CRU websites.

John Packard
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