Features
Former Nucor CEO David ‘Dave’ Aycock passes at age 94
Written by Kristen DiLandro
June 11, 2025
Steel industry veteran and former Nucor Chairman and CEO David ‘Dave’ Aycock died on Saturday at the age of 94.
Aycock started his career at Charlotte, N.C.-based Nucor in 1954, when he joined as a welder. He continued to advance through the organization, becoming COO and president in 1984.
After retiring in 1991, Aycock joined Nucor’s board of directors.
He came out of retirement in 1999, rejoining the company as chairman of the executive management team. In 1999 and 2000, he would also serve as president and CEO. During these years, the company implemented critical initiatives that shaped the Nucor of today.
Teaming with Ken Iverson and Sam Siegel, Aycock led Nucor’s revolutionary recycling-based production methods.
“Dave Aycock was part of the foundation of leaders that built Nucor into one of the most successful steel companies in the world,” Leon Topalian, Nucor’s current president, chair, and CEO, said in a statement. “Dave was the perfect embodiment of our Nucor culture, as his career showed that there are no limits on what a teammate can accomplish at Nucor.”
Aycock retired from the Nucor board in 2001.
“Our hearts go out to Dave’s wife, Daphne, and their entire family,” Topalian added. “Dave was a blessing to our company and his positive impact on the growth of Nucor is a tremendous legacy.”
Kristen DiLandro
Read more from Kristen DiLandroLatest in Features
Final Thoughts
We moved our pricing momentum indicators from “lower” to “neutral” for all sheet products this week. For those keeping score, we had been at “lower” for six weeks. And I know some of you think we should have been there for even longer.
AISI: Raw steel production ticks back up
Raw steel production has stayed historically strong over the past four months, holding near multi-year highs since June.
Metallus and United Steelworkers extend contract, negotiate new terms
Metallus and the United Steelworkers (USW) union extended their contract to Oct. 15 as talks continue on a new labor deal.
Final Thoughts: The long shadow of Ken Iverson
Renowned Nucor Chairman and CEO Ken Iverson would’ve turned 100 on Sept. 18 of this year.
Price: The U.S. Steel shutdown that wasn’t and a call to stop ‘valuation cheating’
How can the U.S. government block U.S. Steel’s Granite City rolling mill closure without harming other American steelmakers? Reducing imports should be the first step. Foreign producers continue to aggressively target the U.S. market, especially now as they find themselves displaced by Chinese exports.