In Memoriam: James S. Paddock

Past President, CEO & Owner

Titanium Industries, Inc.

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of our longtime past President, CEO, and Owner, James S. Paddock, on February 7, 2026.

For more than three decades, Jim led Titanium Industries with vision, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to customers, suppliers, and employees around the world. His career in the metals industry spanned over 50 years — a lifetime dedicated to building strong organizations and enduring partnerships.

Jim earned his B.S. in Commerce from the University of Illinois, majoring in Management with a minor in Marketing. He began his career in 1964 in the U.S. Steel management training program and later held leadership roles at Titanium Metals Corporation, National Steel Service Center, Inc., and Bow Steel Corporation, where he served as President before joining Titanium Industries in 1985.

He joined T.I. as Vice President of the Ti-Supply Division and was appointed President shortly thereafter. Under his leadership, the company expanded from a domestic distributor into a globally integrated supplier of titanium mill products and value-added processing services serving aerospace, medical, industrial, and energy markets.

Founded in 1972 when TIMET spun off its application development group, Titanium Industries underwent several ownership transitions during its growth. Jim played a central role in guiding many of those changes with stability and long-term strategic focus.

He also held leadership and board roles across affiliated international operations, including Titanium International Ltd. (UK), TI-Titanium Ltd. (Canada), Titanio Industria Comercio (Brazil), Reactive Metal Fabricators (England), Titanium Wire Corporation, Oremet, and The Youngstown Welding & Engineering Co. Through these efforts, he strengthened the global supply chain, broadened fabrication capabilities, and reinforced the company’s reputation for quality and reliability worldwide.

Upon purchasing the company's outstanding shares from ATI in 2001, Jim and the Paddock family became owners of Titanium Industries and, alongside his son Brett, ensured the company’s long-term stability as a privately held family enterprise for over 25 years. Although he had stepped back from management years ago, he remained deeply passionate about the company and the industry.

In 2017, Jim was honored with the International Titanium Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his lasting contributions to the global titanium community.

Most recently, Titanium Industries became employee-owned — a milestone that reflected the Paddock Family’s enduring belief in rewarding the people who come to work every day and drive the success of the company.

Jim’s leadership philosophy was grounded in listening, integrity, accountability, and long-term relationship building. He believed success is earned through trust, consistency, and showing up for customers - and each other - every day.

We are deeply grateful for his leadership, his mentorship, and the foundation he built. His legacy lives on in our culture, our partnerships, and our continued commitment to serving the global titanium market with integrity and excellence.

In keeping with Jim’s wishes, a celebration of life will be announced for the Spring.