What was your first job in the industry?
After receiving my degree, I practiced structural engineering for a consulting company, Martin/Martin. In my first week at M/M, I learned how little I knew about my new career. The company’s culture places a priority on continuing education, and it jump-started my desire to be a lifelong learner.
Nucor calls itself “North America’s most sustainable steel and steel products company.” For those of us who might still associate steel manufacturing with smokestacks belching black clouds into the sky, what is sustainably produced steel?
First, if that’s what you envision of the steel industry, you are not alone, but that is far from today’s reality. There are two distinct steelmaking processes. The first is what you envisioned. Extractive steelmaking uses a blast furnace and basic oxygen furnace to turn iron ore, limestone and coal into steel.
The second, circular steelmaking, uses an electric arc furnace to melt recycled materials into new steel. This steel can be comprised of almost 100% recycled content. All of Nucor’s steel is made using this circular process.
What’s your favorite dessert?
Chocolate mousse! For me, it’s not dessert unless the main component is chocolate. I once ordered mousse au chocolat in Paris and it came à volonté—“help yourself”—in a bowl big enough for at least 20 servings. Heaven!
Do you have a favorite project that you’ve been involved in during your career?
That’s a little bit like asking who my favorite child is! I have been blessed to work on a variety of projects. Most of them have components that I have loved, whether it was the team, the architecture or a design or construction challenge.
Will we ever not use steel for building?
It’s unlikely that there will be a building built with no steel. Steel is found in concrete buildings as reinforcement, wood buildings as connection material and as the supports for fabric structures. The steel industry continues to innovate to provide construction projects with higher-strength materials that are more ductile and easier to fabricate.
What’s the last book you read?
I am usually reading two books at a time—a fun, easy read when I need to unplug and a more learning-focused, work-related book. I just finished “Lessons in Chemistry” (for fun), and I’m still reading “Surfing the Edge of Chaos: The Laws of Nature and the New Laws of Business” (for work).
How do you keep your team motivated?
I love my work! I’m passionate about it, and I think that is contagious. We are fortunate to work for an organization that empowers each of our teammates to suggest and drive changes throughout the company. Pair that with a team that is always looking for new and innovative ways to build steel buildings, and it’s easy to stay motivated and engaged.
