SMDI names Lifetime Achievement Award recipient

The Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI), Colorado Springs, Colo., a business unit of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), has announced William M. Heenan Jr. as the recipient of the 2013 Steel Market Development Institute Lifetime Achievement Award. Heenan was president of the Steel Recycling Institute (SRI) from 1990 to 2010, when he retired after nearly 40 years of service in the steel industry.

The award, established in 2004, recognizes steel industry professionals who have made significant contributions over the course of their careers to advancing the competitive use of steel in the marketplace.

"Throughout his career, Bill was one of the industry's most visible spokespersons for establishing steel as the material of choice in the automotive, construction, and container markets," said Lawrence W. Kavanagh, president, SMDI . "As the president of SRI, he built the organization from the ground up, establishing it as the leading authority on steel recycling benefits and practices with federal, state, and local officials, as well as with the general public. He was sought out by established environmental organizations and media groups for his knowledge and respected for the energy he brought to educating all audiences on the benefits of steel to a vibrant, modern society."

Before joining SRI, Heenan was general manager, tin mill products, for the United States Steel Corp., a position to which he was appointed in 1988. He is a lifetime board member of the National Recycling Coalition. He served as a board member of Keep America Beautiful Inc. and was co-chairperson of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.