Leon J. Topalian, chair, president and chief executive officer of Nucor Corp., was named the Association for Iron & Steel Technology (AIST) Steelmaker of the Year at AISTech 2023 – The Iron & Steel Technology Conference and Exposition. One of AIST’s highest honors, the Steelmaker of the Year Award is given to an industry leader who has had a significant impact on the industry and on his or her business.
Topalian is awarded Steelmaker of the Year in recognition of his leadership of Nucor Corp. as one of the world’s safest steel companies, his dedication to sustainable steelmaking, and his commitment to American steel manufacturing. Under Topalian’s leadership, Nucor has reached record profitability, taken a leadership role in the world’s transition to 24/7 clean energy while also achieving exemplary safety performance. He has overseen the strategic growth of Nucor’s product capabilities and expansion into new markets and has championed substantial investments in low-emission steel production. And as one of the strongest advocates for the passage of the Infrastructure and Jobs Act of 2021, Topalian has worked tirelessly to ensure steel will remain a key building block for America’s future.
Topalian is president and chief executive officer of Nucor Corp. He joined Nucor in 1996 as a project engineer at Nucor Steel–Berkeley in Huger, S.C., USA, and was promoted to cold mill production supervisor in 1998. From 2002 to 2009, he held various leadership positions throughout Nucor in Australia, at Nucor Steel–South Carolina and Nucor Steel Kankakee Inc. He was promoted to general manager of Nucor Steel Kankakee in 2011 and vice president in 2013. In 2014, Topalian was named vice president and general manager of Nucor-Yamato Steel Co. In May 2017, he was appointed executive vice president of beam and plate products for Nucor Corp. In September 2019, he was appointed president and chief operating officer. On 1 January 2020, Topalian became president and chief executive officer of Nucor Corp. He serves on Nucor’s board of directors and also serves as a board member for the American Iron and Steel Institute and World Steel Association. Topalian graduated from Massachusetts Maritime Academy with a B.S. degree in marine engineering.
As published in June 2023 issue of American Recycler.