Steel Products

SMU Honors NexGen Leaders at 2019 Steel Summit
Written by Sandy Williams
August 27, 2019
Steel Market Update is pleased to announce the recipient of the first SMU NexGen Leadership Award is Meredith Meade at Tempel Steel Company. Ms. Meade was presented her award by Steel Manufacturers Association CEO Philip Bell. SMA sponsored this year’s award, which attracted 21 highly qualified nominees from 18 companies. The finalists for the award were Ms. Meade, Vic Helwig at Vested Metals, and Kristin Boyle at Big River Steel.
Ms. Meade received a commemorative plaque as well a mentorship day with Steel Dynamics CEO Mark Millett, complimentary attendance at an SMU workshop, complimentary invitation to the 2020 SMU Steel Summit, and wide recognition by SMU and SMA.
Meredith Meade is NAFTA Steel Purchasing Manager at Tempel Steel Company. She is a graduate of Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis., where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics.
During her 10 years at Tempel, Meredith has demonstrated a unique ability to develop supplier relationships, successfully implement change, manage information systems, apply automation to improve workflow and mentor others. As a result of her supply chain savviness, Meredith’s efforts in the last year alone have resulted in roughly $3 million in annual cost savings, and contributed to nearly $50 million in new business revenue for the company in Canada and Mexico. The new business has directly resulted in expanding the manufacturing space at Tempel Burlington (Canada) along with hiring 75 additional employees to accommodate the new demand. It has also supported Tempel’s creation of a new Automotive Focus Factory in Tempel de Mexico that will focus on complex electric vehicle and hybrid laminations, which will open later this year. She is also a member of the Association of Women in the Metals Industry.
The judging panel responsible for the selection of an award winner from the outstanding group of nominees included Philip Bell, Steel Manufacturers Association; Jack Bellissimo, Hubbel, Inc.; Edward Lehner, Ryerson Holding Corp.; and Lenore Trammel, Big River Steel.
Congratulation to all 21 nominees for being selected as outstanding leaders at their companies.
- Alliance Steel LLC–Drew Gross
- Big River Steel–Kristin Boyle
- Chemcoaters, LLC–Brit Capizzano
- Conklin Metal Industries–Austin Adams
- Eagle Steel & Metal Products–Shelby Ray Throneburg
- Imperial Manufacturing Group–Patrick Magee
- Jemison Metals–Sam Curtis, Jeffrey Heinke, Wes Kaigler
- KW Industries, Inc.–Brian Frye
- Leeco Steel–Matt Niemeyer, Andy Polka
- Magic Steel–Sadie Kelosky
- Metalwest–Eric Daniel
- Mitsui & Co. (USA), Inc.–Ted Van Dorn
- Pacesetter–Kathleen Cox, Lauren Bryson
- Sormak Mine Company–Shayan Khakmardan
- Steel Spectrum–Farhaz Jassani
- Tempel Steel Company–Meredith Meade
- Vested Metals International–Viv Helwig
- Windsor Door Manufacturing–Harrison Ferrel

Sandy Williams
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