Join us in Washington, DC this September to discuss the state of affairs with industry colleagues, and to speak to lawmakers to advocate for your company and for domestic steel wire manufacturing. There may never be a more important time to speak to your legislators about your industry’s issues. The AWPA will provide the tools, but YOU are the best ambassador for your company and your employees. Join North American wire producers in DC this September and make your voice heard.
PROGRAM:
Prepare for 2024
2023 is winding down as we prepare for the challenges and ongoing uncertainties of 2024. The decelerating rate of rise and, in some cases, onset of decline that characterized many industries and businesses in 2023 will extend through 2024. Connor Lokar from ITR Economics will be back to present business strategies and tactics that address the projected changes in the economic landscape. We will also: 1) Assess business demand for 2024 and into 2025, 2) Analyze the labor market and present our expectations for availability and labor costs, 3) Present a clear picture of inflation and interest rates, 4) Look at ITR Economics’ key leading indicators and what they foretell for your markets, 5) Present relevant market outlooks and discuss issues that impact your profitability via resource allocation, budgets, expectations, and strategic planning, 6) Determine the near- and longer-term trends in labor, pricing pressures, and interest rates, and 7) Assess the health of financial market trends and their impact, if any, on the forecasts
Washington Update
As we approach the mid-point of the 118th Congress, our September meeting offers a great opportunity to take stock of what’s been accomplished so far and what’s still on the agenda. Despite divided government and slim margins in both chambers, we have seen bipartisan progress on a number of issues of importance to U.S. manufacturers generally and to the wire and wire products sector specifically. You’ll hear from Washington insiders about the work Congress has been doing and what we can expect in the months ahead and – in particular – in the next few days, as lawmakers seek to address a host of policy issues before the end of the Fiscal Year.
Trade Policy Update
Trade policy continues to be an important area of focus in Washington, particularly as it relates to addressing China’s trade and economic policies and practices that disadvantage American manufacturers and workers. We’ll hear from key policymakers about what Congress and the Biden Administration have been doing to address these challenges, as well as concerns related to unfair trade practices more broadly. Specifically, how is the Biden Administration engaging with key allies as it implements its trade policy agenda? What tools have been most effective? What legislation is Congress considering to help level the playing field for the U.S. manufacturing base? And how can AWPA support for these initiatives help move the ball forward?
Solutions for the Manufacturing Workforce Challenges of Today and Tomorrow
Whether it’s recruitment, retention, training or changing perceptions, the manufacturing industry has faced workforce challenges as it evolves and grows. The Manufacturing Institute (MI), the 501(c)3 workforce development and education affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers, drives solutions to these issues through implementing programs that expand talent pools, convening industry leaders and conducting innovative research. The MI works with manufacturing association and employers in a wide array of initiatives to prepare our workforce for the challenges of today and needs of tomorrow. During this collaborative discussion, AWPA members will have the opportunity to share the workforce dynamics that they are tackling. Workforce experts from the MI will present solutions and insights that have been impactful. Plan to leave this session with ideas and action items that you can implement at your organization.
Congressional Visits
Take advantage of this opportunity and head to Capitol Hill this fall with AWPA. On Wednesday, September 20, you'll be paired up with others who have facilities in your districts whenever possible, and will have materials and talking points to assist you at the visits. We make it easy for you to advocate for our industry.
SCHEDULE: (Click here for a printable Schedule of Events).
Tuesday. August 29, 2023
11:00 am –12:00 pm Government Relations Issues Briefing Webinar (for Congressional Visits Participants, all interested AWPA members are welcome)
Tuesday. September 12, 2023
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm Congressional Visits Logistics Briefing Webinar (for Congressional Visit participants)
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
11:00 am – 2:30 pm Executive Committee Meeting/Lunch
2:00 pm – 5:30 pm Registration Open
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm Stainless Committee Meeting
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm Membership Committee Meeting
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm Opening Reception sponsored by Kelley Drye
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
8:30 am – 11:30 am General Session
11:45 am – 12:45 pm Transportation to Capitol Hill for Briefing and Congressional Visits (with boxed lunch, bus departs 11:45 am)
1:00 pm – 1:45 pm Wire and Wire Products Caucus Kick-Off Briefing (on Capitol Hill)
2:00 pm – 4:30 pm Congressional Visits on Capitol Hill
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm Reception
Thursday, September 21, 2023
7:30 am – 9:30 am Congressional Visits Debriefing Breakfast with Administration Speaker (invited)
9:30 am – 11:30 am Board of Directors Meeting
ATTENDEES:
Check back to see who has registered.
The following list shows all reviewed attendees as of 12/22/2024.
| Attendee Name | Title | Company |
| Axel Ampolini | EVP Liberty Steel USA | Liberty Steel USA |
| Mr. Murat Askin | CEO | StaalX LLC |
| Mr. Greg Barbour | Vice President, Sales | Beta Steel Group |
| Ms. Emily Bardach | Executive Director | American Wire Producers Association |
| Mr. Jordi Barrenechea | CEO | WMC |
| Mr. Luis Barrenechea | CEO | Optimus Steel LLC |
| Mr. Joe Barrett | President - Davis Wire Corporation & National Strand | Heico Wire Group |
| Mr. Timothy W. Becker | President: Hickory Springs Mfg. | HSM Solutions |
| Mr. Scott Bernstein | President | Beta Steel Group |
| Mr. Casey Bouton | President | Taubensee Steel & Wire Company |
| Mr. Pete W. Bowen | Regional Sales Manager | Optimus Steel LLC |
| Ms. Amy Braune | Director of Sales - Rod Products | Leggett & Platt, Inc. |
| Mr. Brian Burr | Chairman | Sumiden Wire Products Corporation |
| Mrs. Kathleen Cannon | Partner | Kelley Drye & Warren, LLP |
| Mr. Miguel Casar | Sales Manager | Mid Continent Steel and Wire Inc. |
| Mr. Alejandro Castano | Commercial Manager, Industrial Division | Mid Continent Steel and Wire Inc. |
| mr Manu chopra | filing clerk | |
| Mr. Jon Cornelius | President | Sumiden Wire Products Corporation |
| Ms. Maggie Crosswy | Government Relations Advisor | Kelley Drye & Warren, LLP |
| Mrs. Nancy Davies | Chief Operating Officer | Tree Island Steel |
| Mr. Jan Deruytter | Director, Manufacturing Productivity Improvement | Lincoln Electric Company |
| Mr. Scott Dillaha | Director, Wire Rod Sales | ArcelorMittal Long Products |
| Mr. Tim Dillon | Sr. VP Sales and Marketing | Liberty Steel USA |
| Mr. Clifford E. Donahue | Raw Material Purchaser | Oklahoma Steel & Wire Company, Inc. |
| Mr. Tom Duff | President & CEO | Mount Joy Wire Corporation |
| Mr. Deron Dunbar | Director of Sales & Marketing | Ivaco Rolling Mills Ltd. |
| Mr. David Duncan Jr. | President/CEO | Granite Falls Furnace |
| Mr. Matthew Duncan | Vice President | Granite Falls Furnace |
| Robert England | Senior Reporter | Fastmarkets |
| Ms. Carolina Ferrerosa Young | Economic Policy Advisor | Office of Sherrod Brown |
| Mr. Sebastian Frey | VP Long Products | Tata International |
| Stephen Bradley Griffith | Chief Commercial Officer | Liberty Steel USA |
| Mr. Jason Hendrix | President & CEO | Accent Wire |
| Mr. Reed Hoagland | Vice President | |
| Mr. Terry Hughes | Nucor | |
| Mr. Mark Jacinto | Director of Sales | Optimus Steel LLC |
| Mr. John T. Johnson Jr. | President | Mid-South Wire Company |
| Mr. Simon Jones | Operations Coordinator | WCJ Pilgrim Wire |
| Mr. Stephen Jurewicz | Sales Manager | Nucor |
| Mr. Michael Kallas | Senior Director of Procurement | Bekaert Corporation |
| Mr. Brian Killam | Sales Manager - Western Division | Gerard Daniel Worldwide |
| Mr. John King | Vice President - Sales | Liberty Steel USA |
| Mr. Jochen Koch | President | Morgan-Koch Corporation |
| Mr. Albert Kozlowski | Vice President | Morgan-Koch Corporation |
| Mr. Jack Leffler | VP Commercial | Liberty Wire Johnstown |
| Mr. Connor Lokar | Senior Analyst | ITR Economics |
| Hugo Mackay | Trade Trainee | Tata International |
| Mr. Mack Magnus | President | M&B Metal Products Company |
| Kimars Mahmoodi | Vice President & General Manager - Davis Wire | Heico Wire Group |
| Mr. Jarrett Martin | President | MAR-MAC Industries, Inc. |
| Mr. John W. Martin III | CEO | MAR-MAC Industries, Inc. |
| Mr. John D. Meyer | Vice President Commercial, Rods & Wire | Leggett & Platt, Inc. |
| Ms. Kathleen Moore | Vice President | Oklahoma Steel & Wire Company, Inc. |
| Mr. Chris Motley | National Sales Manager-Trading | Intermetals LLC |
| Mr. Alex Nedergaard | Global Sourcing Director, Mild Steel | Lincoln Electric Company |
| Mr. Chad Novak | Territory Manager | Ivaco Rolling Mills Ltd. |
| Mr. Michael O'Malley | District Sales Manager | Nucor |
| Mr. Stéphane Oehrli | President | Ivaco Rolling Mills Ltd. |
| Mr. Shawn Oliver | Customer Service Manager | Tokusen USA, Inc. |
| Ms. Heather E Outhuse | Associate Director | American Wire Producers Association |
| Mr. Martin J. Payton III | President | Precision Metal Services, Inc. |
| Greta Peisch | General Counsel | Office of the United States Trade Representative |
| Mr. James Philipkosky | Owner | Fayette Custom Wire Products |
| Mr. Nickolus R. Pigott | Vice President- Stainless & Nickel Alloys | Tri Star Metals LLC |
| Mr. Patricio Pimentel | Global Steel Sourcing Director | Heico Wire Group |
| Anjana Radhakrishnan | Associate Director, Workforce Insights and Research | The Manufacturing Institute |
| Mr. Lou Richards | Vice President | Oklahoma Steel & Wire Company, Inc. |
| Ms. Jeynae Saillard | Meetings Manager | American Wire Producers Association |
| Mr. Richard D. Sarver | President | Paramount Die |
| Mr. Alan Schrofer | National Accounts Director | Liberty Steel USA |
| Mr. Eric Schuenemeyer | Vice President of Operations | Tokusen USA, Inc. |
| Mr. Nick Schultz | Commercial Director - Engineered Bar | Nucor |
| Mr. David Scribner | Purchasing | King Steel Corporation |
| Keith Smith | CAO | The Manufacturing Institute |
| Mr. Jan Sorige | President | Enkotec Company Inc. |
| Mr. Bryan Sullivan | VP of Steel Wire Solutions | Bekaert Corporation |
| Mr. Andy Talbot | Vice President / General Manager | Mid-South Wire Company |
| Ms. Nancy Taubensee | Vice President, Sales & Marketing | Taubensee Steel & Wire Company |
| Mr. Joshua Terwelp | Trading Manager | Tata International |
| Mr. John T. Thomas III | Vice President | M&B Metal Products Company |
| Mr. Brian Toth | Territory Manager | |
| Mr. Tim Troxtell | Technical Services Rod & Bar Sales | EVRAZ North America |
| Mr. Frederick P. Waite | General Counsel | Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease, LLP |
| Mr. Kevin Walsh | Vice President Trading | Macsteel International USA Corporation |
| Mr. David J. Weinand | Executive Vice President | Oklahoma Steel & Wire Company, Inc. |
| Mr. Scott Weinberg | Purchasing Manager | Taubensee Steel & Wire Company |
| MIke Will | Director of Sales | Accent Wire |
| Mr. H. O. Woltz III | President and CEO | Insteel Industries Inc. |
| Ms. Dana S. Wood | Director of Government Relations | Kelley Drye & Warren, LLP |
| Mr. James R. York | Senior VP | Insteel Industries Inc. |
| Ms. Kimberly Young | Counsel | Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease, LLP |