Contact:
Ashley DeVecht, director of communications, 847-485-3011 or 616-260-2785
Dianna Smoljan, 708-945-7405 

Richard Robinson Elected MSCI Board Chairman Association Gathers in Chicago 

Chicago, Ill., May 5, 2015 — Richard Robinson, chairman and CEO of Norfolk Iron & Metal, in Norfolk, Neb., has been elected chairman of the board for the Metals Service Center Institute (MSCI), effective July 1. 

Robinson has been at the helm of the family business originally started by his grandfather for more than 30 years. Robinson has a degree in civil engineering and was honored as Service Center Executive of the Year by industry publication Metal Center News in 2010. 

“I’m honored to step into this position, especially during a time when the health of the metals industry is critical to both our members and the North American economy,” expressed Robinson. “I look forward to helping lead MSCI’s efforts to provide insightful information and engagement on the key issues effecting our industry’s health and welfare.” 

Two prominent business and political leaders participated in the Annual Meeting. Former Governor and 2012 presidential candidate Mitt Romney shared his thoughts on global challenges and their impact on the metals industry with attendees Sunday evening. Illinois governor Bruce Rauner gave opening remarks on Monday, emphasizing the importance the metals industry plays in providing sustainable jobs in Illinois. 

MSCI’s President and Chief Executive Officer M. Robert Weidner, III, appreciated the Romney and Rauner perspectives on today’s critical business issues: “We’re at a point where industry expansion and growth is being stymied by policymakers. Through increased advocacy activity, MSCI and its members are bringing about change.”

Robinson has served as a vice chairman of the trade association and succeeds David H. Hannah, president and CEO of Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co., Los Angeles, Calif., who has served as chairman for the last two years.

“I’m optimistic about the future of this country and this industry,” said Hannah. “There’s tremendous opportunity for growth and with MSCI’ s help, we can continue to do our part to support the manufacturing resurgence in North America.” 

Eight new directors were named: 

Michael J. Emerson, Huntington Steel and Supply, CEO
Alan H. Goldin, Goldin Metals, president
Maria Haughton, American Stainless Tubing, president & CEO
James Heard, Cargill Metals Supply Co., Co-BU Leader Operations
Scott M. McNichols, McNichols Company, president
Thomas M. Riddle, National Material L.P., president & COO
David K. Schmidt, Alro Steel, president & COO
David Sheer, The Steel Supply Company, vice president/general manager 

New Members of the Executive Committee
Vice Chairs 
Holman Head, O’Neal Industries, president & COO 
Marc A. Schupan, Schupan & Sons, Inc., CEO 

Regular Committee Members
William T. Chisholm, Samuel, Son & Co., Limited, president & CEO
Noel E. Briscoe, Valley Iron, Inc., president
Geoff Gilmore, Worthington Steel, president steel processing
Thomas J. Sharpe, Bergsen Inc., president 

New Division and Committee Chairs 
New Division Chairs 
Ray Bauer, Commercial Metals Company, manager marketing services — Division Chair, Plates & Shapes 
Larry Soehrman, Chicago Tube & Iron Company, vice president materials management — Division Chair, Tubular Products 
John Ganem, Kloeckner Metals, executive vice president, corporate purchasing — Division Chair, Flat Rolled Products 
Philip Rizzo, Tufts Grinding, Inc., sales manager — Division Chair, Bar Products 
Nicholas E. Briscoe, Valley Iron, vice president — Division Chair, Specialty Metals 

New Committee Chair
William T. Chisholm, Samuel, Son & Co., president and CEO — Safety Committee, new committee chair 

Retiring Members 
Executive Committee 
Michael H. Hoffman, MacSteel Service Centres SA, vice chairman 
Michael C. Arnold, Ryerson Inc., president & CEO 
Michael J. Taylor, Cargill Metals Supply Chain, former president (retired) 

Board of Directors 
Roy Berlin, Berlin Metals, LLC, president 

Product Division
Norm Browning, O’Neal Industries, vice president business development
Paul Hodson, TimkenSteel Corporation, vice president sales, energy and distribution
Timothy Treacy, Charter Steel Trading Co., executive vice president
Barry Walsh, Pennsylvania Steel Company, president
John A. Zemon, Atlas Steel Products Co., vice president, stainless marketing

About 

Founded in 1909, the Metals Service Center Institute is a non-profit association based in Rolling Meadows, Ill., serving the metals industry. It has 375 members operating from more than 1,500 locations in the United States, Canada, Mexico and throughout the world. For more information, visit www.MSCI.org. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter @MSCITweets, and connect with us on LinkedIn.