Steel Industry Names William Heenan As Recipient Of 2013 SMDI Lifetime Achievement Award

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., May 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI), a business unit of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), announced today that William M. Heenan, Jr. is the recipient of the 2013 Steel Market Development Institute Lifetime Achievement Award. Heenan was president of the Steel Recycling Institute (SRI) from 1990 until December 2010, when he retired after nearly 40 years of service in the steel industry.

The SMDI Lifetime Achievement Award, which was established in 2004, recognizes steel industry professionals who have made significant contributions over the course of their careers to advancing the competitive use of steel in the marketplace. The award was presented by Michael T. Rehwinkel, chairman, AISI Board of Directors, and president and CEO, EVRAZ North America, during a ceremony held at AISI's 121^st General Meeting at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs.

"Throughout his career, Bill was one of the industry's most visible spokespersons for establishing steel as the material of choice in the automotive, construction and container markets," said Lawrence W. Kavanagh, president, SMDI . "As the president of SRI, he built the organization from the ground up, establishing it as the leading authority on steel recycling benefits and practices with federal, state and local officials, as well as with the general public. He was sought out by established environmental organizations and media groups for his knowledge and respected for the energy he brought to educating all audiences on the benefits of steel to a vibrant, modern society. We are proud to recognize his many contributions with the 2013 SMDI Lifetime Achievement Award."

The award inscription reads: "Presented to William M. Heenan, Jr. from a grateful industry that continues to reap the benefits of his leadership and vision - May 2013."

Prior to joining SRI, Heenan was general manager, tin mill products, for the United States Steel Corp., a position to which he was appointed in 1988. He is a lifetime board member of the National Recycling Coalition. He served as a board member of Keep America Beautiful, Inc. and was co-chairperson of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.

SRI conducts recycling infrastructure, legislative, marketing, education and public relations programs to promote steel's recycling and sustainability benefits throughout the United States and Canada.

AISI serves as the voice of the North American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI also plays a lead role in the development and application of new steels and steelmaking technology. AISI is comprised of 24 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and 123 associate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry. AISI's member companies represent over three-quarters of both U.S. and North American steel capacity.

SMDI grows and maintains the use of steel through strategies that promote cost-effective solutions in the automotive, construction and container markets, as well as for new growth opportunities in emerging steel markets. For more news or information, visit www.smdisteel.org or follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/smdisteel. SMDI investors include: AK Steel Corporation, ArcelorMittal Dofasco, ArcelorMittal USA LLC, EVRAZ Inc., Gerdau, Nucor Corporation, Severstal North America, SSAB Americas, Steelscape, Inc., ThyssenKrupp Steel USA, LLC, United States Steel Corporation, and USS-POSCO Industries.

SOURCE Steel Market Development Institute