Sheri Burdette
International
Marketing Chair
(Carolinas Chapter)

Happy New Year to you and yours!
 
I hope this edition of "Metal Mail" finds you all well and adjusting to the new decade. It is always exciting to see the beginning of something new ... a new decade, a new era, a new job ... anything new is really an opportunity for advancement and forward momentum. I challenge you all to focus on 2010 as a year of renewal, both personally and professionally. Thank goodness, we have said 'goodbye' to 2009; but, hopefully we will tighten our grip on the lessons learned through last year's trials and joys.
 
The first renewal you should take care of this year is your AWMI membership. AWMI is here for you, and Tammy Olt, your International Membership Chair, would be happy to answer any questions that you might have regarding membership. She can help make the process very easy ... contact her today!
 
In this edition of "Metal Mail", you will meet our 2010 Executive Committee. Please feel free to contact them if you have any questions regarding our organization. We serve on the Board to serve you, and it is our pleasure to help you in any way that we can.
 
For those of you who attended our 2009 Annual Conference, you surely left San Diego with a lot of information to take back to your jobs and life. We had a first-class panel of speakers, starting with our Keynote Speaker, Dan DiMicco, President, CEO and Chairman of Nucor. I think this was our best conference yet. Be sure to save the date for the 2010 Annual Conference in Tucson, AZ, (September 16-19). More details will follow ...
 
Last, but certainly not least, you can get the details of our exciting new partnership with SteelOrbis. If you have ANY questions regarding this strategic alliance, please contact me. While the program is new, I have no doubt it will be very beneficial to both AWMI and SteelOrbis. Now, why didn’t we do this sooner?
 
Thanks so much for taking a few minutes and letting us know what you think about Metal Mail. It is only with your support and suggestions that it is a huge success.
 
Have a great 2010, everyone!
 
Until next time ...

Tammy Olt
International
Membership Chair (Chicago Chapter)

President's Message
Jacque Cech - International President (Minnesota Chapter)

What Happens Next?   Renew!
 
We made it through 2009. Did it make us stronger? I think so.
 
Last year our membership and corporate membership companies recognized the value that AWMI provides and renewed their memberships in one of the toughest years our industry has ever experienced. Current members became more active as they realized the importance of a strong industry network. Many members who lost employment stayed active and found jobs within the industry reinforcing the value of the networking that AWMI provides.
 
Are today's economic conditions the new reality? If they are, your AWMI membership is more important than ever. Long time members can stay current with the industry and maintain those important industry contacts. New members can continue to build industry relationships and gain knowledge to help them advance in their career paths. Retired members can use their life experiences to mentor fellow members. Whatever your current status in the industry, AWMI’s four cornerstones are what you need.
 
Network > Educate > Mentor > Grow
 
Membership renewals reminders have been emailed. If you have not received one please contact Monica Barnaby at mbarnaby@talley.com or 856-423-3201.

A Note from the Executive Director

The Association of Women in the Metal Industries (AWMI) held its 2009 Annual Conference in San Diego, California from November 12-14, 2009 and SteelOrbis was proud to team up with AWMI to serve as the media sponsor for this important event.
 
AWMI is an organization of professionals, founded in California in 1981, to promote and develop the growth of women in the metal industries. The programs and activities of AWMI are intended to enhance members' skills and experience, address challenges confronting the industry, and promote members' career growth with the ultimate goal of increasing the number of women employed in the metal industries. AWMI’s yearly events provide attendees from all walks of the industry with an opportunity to network and strengthen their community, and to gain a comprehensive overview of the state of the industry as a whole from presentations given by top industry leaders. This year’s keynote address given by none other than Nucor Corp.’s outspoken president, CEO and chairman, Mr. Dan DiMicco.
 
The 2009 Annual Conference also featured a "pre-event" on November 6, which included a networking lunch and tour of the California Steel Industries (CSI) mill in Fontana, California. Participants had the opportunity to see the hot strip mill, where slabs are reheated and rolled into hot rolled coil, as well as the plant’s finishing, pickling, galvanizing and cold rolling facilities.
 
The AWMI Annual Conference kicked off on the evening of November 12 at the Loews Coronado Bay in San Diego, California with a welcome reception followed by a dinner featuring keynote speaker Dan DiMicco. Mr. DiMicco, never one to mince words, gave it to the audience straight: 2010 will not be a good year for the steel industry, in his view. While steel capacity utilization rates have recovered somewhat and the economy is back in growth territory again, the US steel industry, and the US manufacturing industry as a whole, remains in peril, according to DiMicco. The main reason for this, said DiMicco, is that "real demand has not changed."

Read more...