Steel Products

CMC CEO Barbara Smith to Mentor 2021 NexGen Leadership Award Winner
Written by John Packard
May 23, 2021
Steel Market Update is pleased to announce that one of the top woman steel mill executives in North America will mentor the 2021 SMU NexGen Leadership Award recipient.
Barbara Smith is Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Commercial Metals Company. Barbara joined CMC in June 2011 as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. She was then promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2016 and to CEO in September 2017.
Prior to joining CMC, Barbara was the Chief Financial Officer for Gerdau Ameristeel and FARO Technologies. Her career also includes more than 20 years of service with Alcoa Inc. where she held a variety of leadership positions across various businesses within Alcoa.
In addition to her role at CMC, Barbara serves on the Board of Directors for Comerica Incorporated. She previously served on the Board of Directors at Minerals Technologies Inc. from May 2011 through July 2017. Barbara has been actively involved in various community organizations including serving on the Dallas and Tampa Boards of the American Heart Association. Barbara was the recipient of the 2019 Association for Iron and Steel Technology (AIST) Steelmaker of the Year Award. She is also a member of the G100 Network.
Barbara is a graduate of Purdue University with a degree in accounting and is also a certified public accountant. In 2013, she was recognized as a Purdue University Old Masters distinguished alumnus.
About the NexGen Leadership Award
The SMU NexGen Leadership Award sponsored by the Steel Manufacturers Association is awarded to an individual working in manufacturing, fabrication, distribution, steel mills or trading companies that utilize mild carbon or automotive grades of flat rolled or plate steel. The award recognizes those 35 years or younger who exemplify the best the industry has to offer. Candidates for this year’s award were able to excel in spite of the pandemic. The NexGen Leadership Award will be bestowed on the candidate whose emerging leadership with his or her company sets a standard for the rest of the industry. The winner of this year’s award will receive:
- A mentorship day with CMC Chairman, President & CEO Barbara Smith
- Recognition in the SMU Newsletter and website
- Invitation to attend one of the SMU Steel 101, Steel 201 or one of our Hedging Price Risk Workshops.
- An invitation to the 2022 SMU Steel Summit Conference with registration fees waived.
- A video of the award being presented
- Recognition in the form of a trophy or plaque, which can be proudly displayed on your desk or in your work area.
You can learn more about how to make a nomination (self-nominations are accepted), review past winners and more details by clicking here or going to: https://events.crugroup.com/smusteelsummit/awards
For information about the 2021 SMU Steel Summit Conference (agenda, speakers, attendees, costs, registration) please click here.

John Packard
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