SteelNews.com Article
SDI Announces John Nolan Will Lead New Product Development Initiative
Mar. 6, 2013 Steel Dynamics, Inc. announced that John Nolan, vice president and general manager of the company's Structural and Rail Division, has been appointed to the newly created corporate level position of vice president – product development. In his new position, Mr. Nolan will be responsible for the identification, development and innovation of new products for the automotive, construction and rail markets and will continue to report directly to Steel Dynamics' executive vice president for steelmaking, Dick Teets.
"One of the goals for our steel operations is to grow our product lines across all segments of our business, both by innovation to meet our customers' growing end use applications today and by anticipating and meeting what their needs will be tomorrow," stated Teets. "John's unique background in both integrated and electric furnace steelmaking, as well as his knowledge and experience at both the marketing and operations ends of the business, across all of our product lines, makes him the logical choice to fill this important position." Most recently, John and his team have enjoyed success in developing new rail products at the company's Columbia City, Ind., rail facility.
A metallurgist by training, John has served in a variety of technical, operational and commercial positions within the steel industry and the company, since his graduation from Lafayette College in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Metallurgical Engineering. He is also a graduate of the Executive Development Programs at Northwestern University and the Harvard School of Business.
Prior to assuming leadership of the Structural and Rail Division in 2007, where he oversaw the Division's expansion from a single mill to two, John served from 1997 to 2007 as the company's vice president of sales and marketing for all steel products, and, prior to that as vice president of sales and marketing at the company's flat rolled facility at Butler, Ind.
John is active in the steel industry in matters involving governmental trade policies and compliance with United States and international trade laws. He also serves as a trade policy advisor to the Industry Trade Advisory Committee (ITAC) No. 12 –Steel.
Commenting on the appointment, Mark Millett, president and chief executive officer of Steel Dynamics, noted, "John has been a key contributor to the success of Steel Dynamics and looks forward to the new challenge. His experience and talent make him ideally suited for this new role, and I am sure he will help bring new ideas and perspectives in our efforts to broaden our product offerings and create further value for our customers."