Born: I was born February 11, 1968, in Great Bend, Kansas, and I also was raised there. Great Bend is a relatively small town located in the center of Kansas.
Education: I graduated from the local junior college in Great Bend—Barton County Community College—in 1989 with an associate degree in business. After that, I graduated from Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas, in 1991 with a bachelor of science degree in business administration, majoring in business management.
Family: After I moved to the Dallas area and had lived here for a few years, I met my wife Pam. We’ve been married for 27 years and have two beautiful daughters, Megan and Julie.
When and how did you enter the recycling industry? I was born into it. In my family, I am the fourth generation in the scrap metal business. My family had a scrap metal and new steel business named Acme Iron & Metal in Great Bend. Everyone in the family worked at Acme at one time or another—my grandparents, my dad, my siblings, and extended family members. I was able to learn the business from the ground up. Working with my father, I learned how to conduct business—he was extremely fair and forward-thinking. I worked for the family business from age 15 until I graduated from college.
When I graduated from college, the economy was not good and was affecting the scrap industry, including my family’s business. My dad suggested I try working for someone else, so I started sending out resumes. I moved to Overland Park, Kansas—near Kansas City, Kansas—and started looking for a job. Reynolds Aluminum Recycling had just opened a new aluminum can recycling facility in Mission, Kansas. I worked there for a short time until Commercial Metals Co. contacted me. CMC asked if I'd be interested in interviewing for a job at its American Iron & Metal location close to downtown Dallas.
After working at CMC for eight years, I accepted a job with Chaparral Steel Co. in Midlothian, Texas. Chaparral later became Gerdau Midlothian. After 20 great years at the Midlothian facility, I had the opportunity to join the OmniSource/Steel Dynamics Inc. team.
When I first came to the Dallas area in 1991 to work for CMC, I thought I’d work a year and move back home. That was 32 years ago, and I’m still in Dallas.
What was it about the industry that prompted you to build a career in it? I never seriously considered anything else. The ever-changing aspect of this business has always drawn me in.
What have been your most rewarding professional achievements? Personal achievements? Professionally, I have had the opportunity in my career to work with some of the brightest people in industry, both old-timers and younger generations. Personally, I’m most proud of how my wife and I have raised our daughters and seeing them mature into wonderful, kind, and thoughtful adults.
What are you passionate about? Treating people with respect and fairness.
Tell us something about you that would surprise people. I’m basically a shy person.
If you could improve anything about yourself, what would it be? I'd like to become a better listener.
What do you like to do in your free time? I like spending time with my family and traveling. Also, I like to play golf when time allows.
What GCR leadership positions have you held? What motivated you to become a GCR leader? Becoming a board member is the first leadership role I have had in GCR. I have enjoyed this organization for years, and I’m thankful I can contribute and give back a little.
What benefits have you received from your GCR involvement? I enjoy the opportunity to meet additional people in the organization and learn from a board-level position the benefits GCR has available for its members.
What are the major challenges facing your company and the overall recycling industry today? I have thought for a few years one of the greatest challenges facing all businesses—including this industry—is the recruitment and retention of young talent.
