VENTUREMET.COM - Key Persons
Bret is responsible for the domestic sales of red metals for Venture Metals +. He ensures our finished goods adhere to the highest standards, meeting the strict technical and quality specifications expected by our consumers.
He has more than a decade of experience in the scrap metal industry and began his career at the plant level in an operations support role. He worked his way up to plant manager, then general manager, and is now our VP of Commercial Operations out of our Des Plaines, IL location.
Bret's focus has been on providing solutions for precision manufactured parts, and industrial stampers, extracting the most value from processed scrap metal for our end consumers.
Bret studied geology at the University of Kansas, and now resides in Chicago with his wife and son.
In his spare time, Bret's an avid painter and enjoys spending time on Lake Michigan where he ran rescue operations prior to working in the metals industry.
"VM + recognizes and celebrates success better than any other company I have ever worked for. I feel so fortunate to work for a company where everyone is treated so well."
With more than 20 years of experience in global scrap metal trading, Chris leads our global and domestic sales department.
His expertise in export logistics, international banking transactions, and commodity trading has been a key component in the global growth of Venture Metals +.
Chris attended the University of Texas at Arlington and University of Phoenix, where he earned a BS in management.
He has been with VM + since the very beginning - 2010 - and lives in the Dallas area.
I'm passionate about this company, its direction, and the people I work with. Their dedication creates such an engaging and fulfilling work environment.
Eric is a 30-year industry veteran who literally grew up in the scrap metal recycling business alongside his entrepreneurial brother and other mentors. He's been involved in all aspects of the industry - from operating big machinery to overall operations - always ensuring that facilities are run in an efficient, safe, and organized manner.
During his time with Venture Metals + Eric has developed long-term relationships across the country to negotiate the best results for business growth. He's overseen a wide range of initiatives and processes, from disaster demolition, equipment repairs, and facilities operations. He remains committed to the values of quality, safety, and service, encouraging high material quality shipments, consistent material flows, transparent shipping schedules and optimal margins.
Eric resides in Dallas with his wife Kelly and two sons. He's an active member of the Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas President's Club and a dedicated member of the Booster Club to support the football and basketball programs and the athletic passions of his sons. If there's any spare time between sports seasons, Eric can be found volunteer coaching for youth sports programs or taking a trip for some good deep-sea fishing.
"At VM +, we're a family, not a bunch of employees. We're friends at work and outside of work. Our leadership team strives to treat everyone as equals and stay true to our word. I will be forever grateful for the experience I've had here."
John joined Venture Metals in 2014 and has worked his way up the ranks for almost a decade. John took on many roles throughout the years including overseeing the nonferrous business and plant operations. His strong dedication to the business along with his leadership style has been an integral part of the growth of the company.
Prior to joining Venture John worked in the golf business and still enjoys playing golf on the weekends. John resides in Plano his wife, Leslie and their two sons.
John T brings nearly three decades of industrial commodity commercial and manufacturing experience, with a significant background in recycling and sustainability activities. Prior to joining Venture Metals, John T was the Chief Commercial Officer for Ardagh Group, a global leader in glass and metal packaging.
John T earned his undergraduate business administration degree from LeTourneau University and his MBA from the University of Texas at Dallas.
Born and raised in the Dallas area, John T lives in Melissa, TX with his wife Deborah. They enjoy tennis, biking and spending time with their daughters and grandkids.
Kelly is responsible new business acquisition, growth and management of our industrial account portfolio. She helps create and build global partnerships between Venture Metals + and the industrial sector. She also heads up Venture's marketing efforts.
With nearly 20 years of business development experience, she's worked extensively with Fortune 100 companies across a wide range of industries, including technology, market research, and media.
Kelly did her undergraduate studies in Communications and Marketing at Western Michigan University and has Master's Degree in Creative Business Leadership from Savannah College of Art and Design's De Sole School of Business Innovation.
In her spare time, Kelly's very involved in her community and supporting local veterans. She also is an advocate for the Alzheimer's Association. She enjoys traveling and, at last count, has visited 48 U.S. states and more than 10 countries. Her hobbies include photography, health and fitness, country music, and college football. She resides in the Dallas Fort-Worth area.
Job Titles:
- Director of Venture Metals Asia
Rocky leads our teams in both Seoul and Gunsan, Korea where he oversees the sale of our non-ferrous metal products to end consumers.
He got his start in the industry in 2012, as a buyer for aluminum scrap at POSCO-Mtech. Rocky attended Hanyang University where he earned a BS in management. He lives in a suburban area of Seoul with his family.
VMA is working hard to establish a more efficient hub in Asia - to service suppliers and supply final consumers in the region.
Matt is responsible for the management and development of the Venture Metals + commercial team where he buys and sells a variety of scrap commodities both domestically and internationally.
Matt is a third-generation scrap entrepreneur. He has long-standing relationships with industrial and dealer suppliers as well as with electric arc furnace mills, integrated steel mills, and stainless-steel foundry consumers.
Matt graduated from the University of Denver with a BA in Communications.
Matt lives in Houston, Texas with his wife, Pam, and their two kids. He enjoys running and watching sports.
Sean puts his eight years of industry experience to work leading the Venture Metals + corporate sales team, where they manage our large-scale manufacturing and industrial supply partnerships.
Sean joined VM + out of college as a trainee and was quickly promoted to dispatch manager. He is now a senior member of our commercial team. Sean earned a BA in marketing from Baylor University and lives in Dallas with his wife, Kailey, and dog, Murphy.
When not in the office, Sean enjoys spending much-deserved time with family, traveling, and relaxing at the lake.
VM + is a great place to work. I'm proud of the fact that our leadership team demonstrates that doing the right thing is what will make us successful and our employees happy.