| 2023 | Mr. James O. Barrett | In recognition of his leadership and dedication to furthering the mission of AIST. An expert in steelmaking refractories with four decades of experience, Barrett was instrumental in founding the AIST Secondary Steelmaking and Refractories Technology Training Conference, and his resourcefulness ensured the continued success of this program even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Time and again Barrett has lent his support to the association and his fellow members as an educator and mentor, encouraging and motivating the next generation of steelmaking and refractory engineers. |
| 2023 | Mr. William H. Emling | In recognition of his distinguished service to the iron and steel industry, both as a producer and a supplier, and for his enduring commitment to AIST. Emling has dedicated his career to the advancement of steelmaking and continuous casting technologies and to encouraging an environment for lifelong learning among his peers and colleagues. As an instructor for the Continuous Casting Technology Committee, he has shared his knowledge and enthusiasm for the industry and its innovations, while his years of association leadership exemplify his devotion to AIST and its predecessors. With his technical expertise, consummate professionalism, and passion for mentorship, Emling represents the finest qualities of our industry. |
| 2023 | Mr. Theodore F. Lyon | In recognition of his leadership and commitment to AIST, the AIST Foundation and the global steel industry. Lyon has served in executive and board roles with the Iron & Steel Society and later AIST and was instrumental to AIST's evolution and success. During his tenure as AIST Foundation President, Lyon oversaw significant fundraising efforts and bolstered scholarship and grant programs dedicated to providing the steel industry of tomorrow with passionate, qualified professionals. And as a trusted advisor on industry trends and developments, Lyon continues to support the strategic growth of AIST into the future. |
| 2023 | Mr. Madhukar G. Ranade | In recognition of his distinguished career in the steel industry, his 40+ years of technical contributions and his exceptional leadership of integrated and mini-mill operations. Throughout his career, Ranade has cultivated a unique blend of business acumen, technology expertise, dedication and tactical skills that has translated to successful, safe, and efficient plant operations. His enthusiastic support of AIST conferences, Technology Committees, and training programs has inspired his colleagues and fellow AIST members. |
| 2023 | Dr. Hardarshan S. Valia | In recognition of his tireless work to advance the understanding and practical application of metallurgical coal science worldwide. An award-winning researcher and author of more than 100 papers and publications, Valia has remained devoted to sharing his incomparable technical insight with others as a lecturer, technical session chair, and Technology Committee member. Through teaching and mentoring the next generation of engineers, Valia embodies the spirit of AIST's educational mission. |
| 2022 | Dr. Eugene B. Pretorius | In recognition of his groundbreaking work on slag chemistry, slag foaming and the application of thermodynamic principles, which has revolutionized our understanding of the electric furnace process and clean steelmaking technology. As a valued AIST Technology Committee member, insightful lecturer and proficient author, Dr. Pretorius serves as an advocate for continuous learning, dedicating his time and expertise to the training and development of steelmakers across the industry. Often queried for his expertise, he always responds with thoughtful consideration and without reservation. |
| 2022 | Dr. Chenn Q. Zhou, Ph.D. | In recognition of her extraordinary passion and commitment for the Association's mission of service to the steel industry. A prolific researcher, author and educator of computer-aided modeling, simulation and visualization technologies, Dr. Zhou has given her energy and expertise to program AIST symposia to facilitate the early adoption of digitalization technologies to promote industry leadership in smart manufacturing applications. Through her service as an AIST Foundation Trustee and beyond, she continues to inspire the next generation to find evolutionary solutions to the industry's most formidable technical challenges. |
| 2021 | Mr. Wendell L. Carter | For his commitment and leadership to the fulfillment of the missions of service for AIST and the AIST Foundation. Carter's contributions to the advancement of steel production technologies, his passion for recruiting and developing the next generation, and his service to the steel industry and the communities it serves embody the true spirit of AIST. |
| 2021 | Mrs. Ruth Engel | For her exceptional tenacity in maintaining the industry's focus on the importancs of, and dependence upon, refractories within the steel production process routed; for her valuable contributions to improving these steelmaking processes; and for her service as a dedicated committee member and educator for the past 35 years. Engel is an outstanding role model and mentor for women engineers around the world. |
| 2021 | Mr. George J. Koenig | In recognition of his distinguished career in the iron and steel industry, for his years of dedicated service to AIST and it's predecessor organizations, and for his leadership in the association. Koenig's influential role in the creation, evolution and enduring commitment to the AIST Town Hall Forum since it's inception in 2003 has provided AIST members with a unique view to the insights and personalities of the stell industry's most influential leaders. |
| 2020 | Mr. William P. Breedlove | For his dedicated service to AIST and the AIST Foundation. Having served as AIST Foundation president from 2005 to 2007 and AIST president from 2010 to 2011, his guiding principles and work ethic set a standard of excellence. His promotion of the Foundation successfully drove fundraising to new levels, significantly advancing its mission to enable the next generation of steelmakers in their academic pursuits. |
| 2020 | Mr. Dale E. Heinz | For his leadership and support of AIST through its Technology Committees, Member Chapters and student-oriented programs. His passion and dedication in support of the AIST Foundation and its mission to educate the next generation of our workforce has been an invaluable contribution to the steel industry. |
| 2020 | Dr. John R. Middleton | In recognition of more than six decades of contributions to advancing technical development in the production and processing of steel. His work in the implementation of industrial-scale continuous casting and vacuum degassing in the 1960s in the U.K. was significant. Middleton was a pioneer in the infancy of industrial computer applications, having developed dynamic modeling as well as integrated management and optimization systems which are now in use at steel plants around the world. He is a dedicated member of the Specialty Alloy & Foundry Technology Committee and has let their first Study Tours to the U.K. and SPain. Middleton is a distinguished gentleman with a distinguished career in our industry. |
| 2019 | Ms. Harriet G. Dutka | For sustained contributions and leadership in the Electric Steelmaking Technology Committee training seminars resulting in the education of primary operations personnel, for her fellowship in creating a diverse and sustainable steelmaking community through participation in AIST study tours, and in recognition o fher distinguished career in the steelmaking industry spanning more than 30 years. |
| 2019 | Dr. Yakov M. Gordon | For his dedication and contributions to improving and expanding the science of ironmaking. A recognized expert in ferrous metallurgy, process design and technology development, he freely and frequently shares his knowledge with others. Through his commitment to research, pursuit of innovative technologies and devoted mentorship skills, he has become an internationally recognized leader in developing successful iron- and steelmaking processes. |
| 2019 | Dr. Johannes Schade | Posthumously, for his long-standing commitment to AIST, and for his exemplary career as a researcher, manager and mentor. His work in continuous casting technology, especially in tundish and mold operations, greatly advanced process knowledge related to steel cleanliness. his passion for technical excellence and innovation contributed significantly to the success of his longtime emplouyer, AK Steel Corp., whom he faithfull represented at AIST Technology Committee meetings and in many technical papers and publications. Through his sharp wit and gentle, but outgoing demeanor, he inspired a generation of young profesisonals who have gone on to successful careers in the steel industry. |
| 2018 | Mr. Richard L. Bodnar | For his sustained and significant contributions to the advancement of the metallurgy of rolled and forged steel products, and for outstanding service to AIST. Dr. Bodnar's prolific career has resulted in the development of new steel products and more than 100 published technical papers, many of which have received the steel industry's top honors. His leadership in AIST Technology Committees and in the organization of special programs and symposia has created invaluable opportunities for educational and technical exchange. |
| 2018 | Dr. Juergen Cappel | In recognition of his service to the steel industry and his willingness to share his extensive knowledge of steelmaking processes. Through his leadership in developing global AIST platforms such as the International Steel Academy, the International Study Tour program and the European Steel Forum, and for his active contribtuions to numerous AIST Technology Committees and Training Courses, Dr. Cappel has been an exemplary ambassador for AIST's global mission |
| 2018 | Mr. James D. McClaskey | In recognition of a 43-year career in the steel industry, he exhibited the drive, determination and leadership ability that personifies the vision of AIST. Mr. McClaskey spent his entire career within Midrex family companies, rising from an entry-level engineer to president and CEO of Midrex Technologies Inc. There, he championed global DRI development, leading Midrex through several indusry cycles and overseeing some of the most successful years in the company's history. |
| 2018 | Mr. Mark J. McGinley | For his contributions in developing the Cranes Technology Committee (CTC) over the past three decades. His attentive input into nearly every aspect and subject of CTC meetings has helped solve crane-related problems for many companies around the world. He has been a loyal supporter of the Annual Crane Symposium since its inception, and his reassuring nature along with his years of experience and expertise make Mr. McGinley a valued friend for the global steel industry. |