Company Announcements
August 4, 2026
SDI taps Wagler as president and CEO, Millett to retire
Written by David Schollaert
Steel Dynamics Inc. (SDI) has promoted Theresa Wagler, presently EVP and CFO, to president and CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2027.
The Fort Wayne, Ind.-based steelmaker said Mark Millett, co-founder and company CEO since 2012, will retire as CEO and transition to executive chairman of the board.
The move, SDI said, “reflects the culmination of a thoughtful and comprehensive succession planning process.”
“On behalf of the board of directors, I want to thank Mark for his exceptional leadership and contributions to the global industry and to the outstanding company he co-founded over 30 years ago,” Kenneth Cornew, SDI lead independent director, said in a statement on Tuesday. “Under Mark’s leadership, the company has gone through a period of unprecedented transformational growth.”
Wagler’s appointment
Wagler started at SDI in 1998 on the corporate finance team, holding various finance and accounting positions, including CAO and VP—corporate controller. She has been EVP, CFO, and corporate secretary since 2007.
Wagler will become a member of SDI’s board of directors effective immediately, the announcement said.
“We congratulate Theresa on her appointment as President and CEO,” Cornew said. “This appointment reflects our confidence in her ability to lead the company forward into its next chapter of growth and value creation for our teams, customers, and shareholders.”
“Theresa’s appointment recognizes her leadership as the company has grown,” added Millett. “Theresa has earned the full confidence of the board and the leadership team, and I am proud and excited to transition the role of Chief Executive Officer to her.”
EVP and CFO succession
Richard Poinsatte, SDI EVP and treasurer since Oct. 2023, will succeed Wagler as EVP and CFO on Jan. 1. Poinsatte joined SDI in 2000 and has held leadership roles across its fabrication and financial operations, including serving as treasurer since 2008. Before joining SDI, he was a certified public accountant with Ernst & Young LLP.
Other SDI leadership changes
Additional senior leadership changes to support long-term growth and succession planning, effective Sept. 1, include:
Barry Schneider, EVP and chief technology officer: A founding SDI leader, Schneider moves into a newly created role focused on product and technology development, process innovation, and decarbonization. He will also retain companywide oversight of safety and information technology.
Christopher Graham, EVP and COO of flat-rolled steel operations, will lead SDI’s expanding flat-rolled steel operations, reflecting their scale, diversification, and growth potential.
Miguel Alvarez, EVP and COO, aluminum flat-rolled products and metals recycling operations: oversight of aluminum investments expands to include SDI’s metals recycling business. Matt Bell continues to lead the recycling platform.
James Anderson, EVP and COO, construction products operations: long-products oversight expands to include SDI’s steel fabrication businesses, which Chad Bickford will continue to lead.
