Movers and Shakers: Metal Industry
By Sima Matthes (New York City)
A quick Google search of “Women in Metal” generates a long list of women in heavy metal bands and women clad only in metal. Fortunately, a more in depth search reveals that there are women working in the metal industry today, climbing to the upper echelons of some of the top companies in the category.
There’s a woman in charge at Carpenter Technology (#15 in the category, #906 on the Forbes 1000 in 2008). Anne L. Stevens, who joined the company in 2006, is the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. Ms. Stevens had previously been at Ford Motor Company, and held progressively responsible positions there over her 16-year tenure, including EVP of Ford Motor Company and COO of Ford in the Americas. Prior to that, she worked at Exxon Corporation, holding engineering, manufacturing and marketing positions. She has a B.S. in Mechanical and Materials Engineering from Drexel University and did post graduate work at Rutgers University.
Over at Schnitzer Steel (#757/#13 in the category), Tamara Lundgren serves as President and CEO. Ms. Lundgren has been with the company just 4 years, coming aboard in 2005 as Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, and progressing to EVP Strategy and Investments and President of Shared Services. She was elected to her current position in December 2008. She brings her experience as a managing director at JP Morgan Chase’s London Office and Deutsche Bank AG, as well as her experience as a partner at Hogan & Hartson, LLP in Washington, D.C. Ms. Lundgren is a graduate of Wellesley College and Northwestern University School of Law.
It should be noted that both of these companies experienced double-digit profit growth last year. Additionally, Carpenter vaulted onto the Forbes 1000 at 906; Schnitzer climbed from 901 to 757.
At U.S. Steel, (#2 in the category, #146 on the Fortune 1000), Gretchen R. Haggerty serves as Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Hagerty has been with the company since 1976, rising steadily through the tax division and audit divisions in progressively responsible roles to her current position. She is also the chairman of the United States Steel and Carnegie Pension Fund and is a member of the Investment Committee of the Fund. A Pennsylvania native, she holds a bachelor of science in accounting from Case Western Reserve University and a J.D. from Duquesne University.
Theresa Wagler, a CPA, is the vice president and Chief Financial Officer of Steel Dynamics, Inc. (#517 on the Fortune 1000, #8 in the industry ranking), a position she has held since 2007. She joined the company in 1998 following a tenure as an auditor with Ernst and Young. She has managed public financial reporting and served as the liaison with a variety of constituencies, including lenders, investment bankers and auditors. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and systems analysis from Taylor University.
Barbara Smith is the vice president and chief financial officer of Gerdau Ameristeel, the parent company of Chaparral Steel (#970 on the Forbes 1000, 17th in the industry rankings). With a background that includes a long stint at Alcoa, she brings over 20 years of experience to bear on her responsibilities including strategic financial planning and investor relations. Prior to joining Gerdau Ameristeel, Ms. Smith was senior vice president and chief financial officer of FARO Technologies. She holds a BS in Accounting from Purdue University.
Shelly Lair joined Century Aluminum (#939/#16 in category) in 2000 and was appointed treasurer in 2006. She is currently Vice President and Treasurer. Ms. Lair, a CPA, worked as an auditor for Deloitte & Touche prior to joining Century, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara.
As previously reported in this publication, there’s a link between women at the top of corporations and corporate success. Gentlemen, take note: far from the stereotypical images conjured by “women in metal” the female leaders of America’s metal industry are a rare breed and as tough as the metals their companies produce.
