Service Centers

James Bouchard To Retire as Esmark CEO

Written by Laura Miller

October 17, 2023

After more than 40 years in the steel industry, James Bouchard announced he will be retiring as CEO of Esmark Inc., effective Nov. 23.

Bouchard will continue to serve as Esmark’s chairman of the board. He will also remain on as chairman of Ohio Coatings Co., the joint venture between Esmark Steel Group and TCC Steel.

Bouchard founded Esmark Inc. in 2003 when the Bouchard Group transferred all its steel assets to Esmark. The Bouchard Group, established in 1995, is the controlling shareholder of Esmark Inc. James Bouchard serves as chairman and CEO of the Bouchard Group.

“I’ve been in the steel industry for more than 40 years, and now is the time to step away from the day-to-day operations and empower the next generation of leadership. It’s also time for me to focus on my health and spend more time with family,” Bouchard explained.

Esmark’s EVP and CFO Randy Stanton will serve as acting CEO, responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company, also effective Nov. 23, until a permanent successor is found. Stanton has been with Esmark since 2013.

The United Steelworkers’ International President David McCall congratulated Bouchard on his retirement: “The USW commends Mr. Bouchard for his extensive work in steel, and in particular applauds his longstanding commitment to the domestic industry and his positive relationship with our union. We wish him a long and happy retirement.”

Esmark Inc. is a privately held family company with roots in the steel industry. The Esmark Steel Group is a flat-rolled steel processor and distributor with locations in Chicago, Ohio, and South Carolina.

Laura Miller

Laura Miller is a reporter and editor for Steel Market Update. She has held a variety of positions within the steel industry since 2007, including reporting and editing for Steel Business Briefing/Platts, the Association for Iron and Steel Technology, and Kallanish Commodities, as well as marketing for what was then known as ThyssenKrupp Steel USA (now AM/NS Calvert). After a five-year hiatus working across other industries, she returned to steel in 2021 and has covered the flat rolled, tubular, and trade areas of the industry. She is a member of the Association of Women in the Metal Industries and a past-president of the AWMI Pittsburgh Chapter. She holds a BA in Latin American Studies from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. She can be reached at laura@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-759-7869.

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