Schnitzer Steel » Executive Team

Executive Team

John Carter President and Chief Executive Officer John joined Schnitzer Steel as President and Chief Executive Officer in May 2005. From 2002 to May 2005, John was engaged in a consulting practice focused primarily on strategic planning in transportation and energy for national and international businesses, as well as other small business ventures. From 1982 to 2002, John served in a variety of senior management capacities at Bechtel Group, Inc. including Executive Vice President and Director, as well as President of Bechtel Enterprises, Inc. and other operating groups. His duties during his tenure included providing senior executive oversight to almost all of Bechtel’s business lines, operating groups and service groups. Prior to his Bechtel tenure, John was a partner in the San Francisco law firm Thelen, Marrin, Johnson & Bridges. He is a director of Northwest Natural Gas Company and FLIR Systems, Inc. and Chairman of the Board of private company Kuni Automotive.
Tamara Lundgren Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Tamara joined Schnitzer Steel in September 2005 as Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer. She became Executive Vice President, Strategy and Investments in April 2006 and was elected Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in November 2006. Prior to joining Schnitzer Steel, Tamara was an investment banker, most recently as a Managing Director at JPMorgan Chase, which she joined in 2001. From 1996 until 2001, Tamara was a Managing Director at Deutsche Bank AG in New York and London. Prior to joining Deutsche Bank, Tamara was a partner at the law firm of Hogan & Hartson, LLP in Washington, D.C.
Gary Schnitzer Executive Vice President Gary is an Executive Vice President and was in charge of Schnitzer Steel’s California Metals Recycling operations from 1980 until 2007. Gary serves on the Company’s Executive Committee and assists in developing the strategic direction of the Company’s Metals Recycling Business. Gary is a past President of the Northern California Chapter of the Institute of Scrap Iron and Steel (ISRI) and has also served as board member and director of the national ISRI organization. Gary is a past board member of Schnitzer Steel, Schnitzer Investment Corporation, LASCO Shipping Company, Pacific Coast Shipping Company and Island Equipment Company. Gary has a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Southern California.
Donald Hamaker Senior Vice President and President, Metals Recycling Business Don joined Schnitzer Steel as President of the Metals Recycling Business in September 2005. Previously, Don was employed in management positions by Hugo Neu Corp. for nearly 20 years, serving as President from 1999 until joining Schnitzer Steel. Prior to joining Hugo Neu Corp., Don was engaged in the practice of law in Washington, D.C.
Jeffrey Dyck Senior Vice President and President, Steel Manufacturing Business Jeff joined Schnitzer’s Steel Manufacturing Business in February 1994 and has served in a variety of positions, including Manager of the Rolling Mills and Director of Operations of the Steel Manufacturing Business, prior to his promotion to President in June 2005. Prior to joining Cascade Steel he worked for Morgan Construction Company, a manufacturer of bar and rod mills, as a Metallurgical Engineer providing technical research, assistance to sales, and field services to rolling mills throughout the world. Jeff has B.S. and M.S. degrees in Metallurgical Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines.
Thomas Klauer Senior Vice President and President, Auto Parts Business Tom has been the President of the Auto Parts Business since 2003. Prior to that, Tom acted in a COO role overseeing car purchasing and operations for Pick-n-Pull. Tom joined the Pick-n-Pull team in 1989 at the San Jose location. Prior to 1989, Tom owned and operated several recycling and parts facilities in Northern California.
Richard Peach Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Richard joined Schnitzer Steel in March 2007 as Deputy Chief Financial Officer and was appointed Chief Financial Officer in December 2007. From March 2007 through December 2007, he also served as Schnitzer’s Chief Accounting Officer. Richard was the Chief Financial Officer and a Senior Vice President with the multi-state energy utility, PacifiCorp, based in Portland, Oregon from 2003 to 2006. Previously, he served in a variety of executive positions with Scottish Power, the international energy company headquartered in Glasgow, Scotland, including Group Controller from 2000 through 2002, Head of United Kingdom Customer Services from 1999 to 2000 and Head of Energy Supply Finance from 1997 to 1999. Richard is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland.
Richard Josephson Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary Rich joined Schnitzer Steel in January 2006 as Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. Prior to joining Schnitzer, Rich was a Member of the law firm Stoel Rives LLP, where he had practiced law since 1973.
Jay Robinovitz Vice President of Business Development, Integration and Major Capital Investments Jay joined Schnitzer Steel in January 1993 and has held various senior management positions, including four years serving as General Manager of the Company's Tacoma operations, the Company's Vice President of Northwest metals recycling operations and since 2006 the position of Vice President of Business Development, Integration and Major Capital Investments. Prior to joining Schnitzer Steel, Jay was employed by Aerospace Industries, Inc., Hartford, Connecticut.
Gregory Witherspoon Vice President, Special Projects Greg joined Schnitzer Steel in August 2005 as Interim Chief Financial Officer, was appointed Chief Financial Officer in January 2006 and served in this role until December 2007 when he became Vice President, Special Projects. Greg was a managing director with the financial consulting firm, Plan Bravo Partners, LLC from 1998 through 2006. Greg’s consulting engagements have included a two year assignment as President of a chain of hotels and restaurants and a six-month assignment as Interim President and Chief Financial Officer of an automobile lender. From 1998 to 2003, Greg served as a member of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Audit Committee of Approved Financial Corp., a Virginia-chartered financial institution. Prior to this time, he was a CPA with two of the major public accounting firms.
Jeff Poeschl Vice President and Corporate Controller Jeff joined the Company in February 2007 from Mesa Air Group in Phoenix, Arizona, where he was Vice President – Finance from 2000 to 2007. Jeff is a Certified Public Accountant and Schnitzer Steel's Principal Accounting Officer.