WESTERN STEEL - Key Persons
Andy came to Western Steel in 2018 and spent his first year operating our new Messer Plasma cutter and assisting with the press brake and waterjet. As of 2020 he will be using that experience to lead our CAD programming and assist with quoting. He came to Western Steel after 16 years in the stencil and precision parts industry and 4 years before that as an infantryman in the US Army. He brings with him years of experience in manufacturing using lasers, chemical etching, and electro-plating. He is also well versed in leadership, quality control, R & D, and production scheduling.
Butch got his start in 1979 working for Supperstein Steel pulling orders, cutting steel and threading pipe. In 1984, he moved into the office as an inside salesman. When Supperstein Steel got bought out in 1995 by Reliance Metal Center, he continued in sales until his retirement in 2016. 7 weeks later, he decided retirement was not for him and began working at Western Steel. He is grateful to still be doing what he loves doing, serving his customers. He has vowed to not retire again for many years.
John got his start in 1997 while living in Houston when he was hired as a saw operator. In 2006, while moving into inside sales, John took ASM classes to further his knowledge in materials. He has experience in mechanical bar and tubing, nickel, duplex, stainless, forgings and bar till. In 2013 he ventured into outside sales selling instrumentation tubing and fittings while covering Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. In 2019, John moved to Colorado Springs and started with Western Steel. He brings his immense experience in sales and materials, as well as his knowledge in industrial safety as he fills the dual role of outside sales and safety manager.
Ken's introduction to the industry came in 1985 in Kansas, when he was hired as a saw operator and quickly rose to the position of production manager. In 1999, he moved to Colorado Springs and went to work as a machine operator operating waterjets and plasma cutters for a local manufacturing company. He came to Western Steel in 2006 as a waterjet operator and currently serves as our operations manager. His experience in management and production scheduling are instrumental in our operation.
Linda has worked for Western Steel for 30 years. She started as an assistant at the scrap yard before Western Steel split and became its own entity. The only thing she loves more then what she does are her customers (her own words). Prior to coming to Western Steel, she worked as a painter and silk screener for several manufactures located here in Colorado Springs. Her cheerful attitude and people skills are what makes our office such a welcoming place, both for customers and employees alike.
Micah has worked in the family business since 2006, working nights, weekends, and summers in between school. He has held many jobs over the years including general laborer, crane operator, waterjet and press brake operator, plant manager, and his current position as vice president. His management experience comes from what he has learned from both his father and grandfather, his schooling as well as the Army. Micah has been instrumental in growing our company from the Mom & Pop shop mentality and size to were we are today. If you cant find him in his office, it's a safe bet you can find him outside working with the warehouse crews.
Neil, our founder, was hired into the family scrap business by his father in 1976 as a general laborer. He filled various jobs in the company before moving into management in 1980, becoming president of the company in 1988. Realizing the need for sales in new and used metal, not just scrap, he opened Western Steel INC, in a new location down the street from the scrap yard in 1994. While technically retired, he loves to come into the office a handful of times during the week to see customers and get a sense of how things are going.