Ten Leaders To Know: Tom Cox [Full Profile]

Company: SSAB

Title: General Manager

Birth City: Iowa City

Current City: Bettendorf

Q: How did you get where you are today?
A: I've been in the steel industry since graduating from Iowa State University in 1999 with a degree in Metallurgical Engineering. I started in the technical metallurgy side of the business before moving into plant operations in 2010. Since then, I've continued to progress through the operations side to my current position of General Manager of the SSAB Iowa steel mill, a role I've been in for five years.

Q: What do you see as the next big trend in your industry?
A: Steel production is a raw material and energy intensive process, and as such is a large generator of emissions. The industry as a whole recognizes this and is taking steps to make significant improvements, and I'm proud to work for a company that is at the forefront of that effort.

Q: Where do you look for inspiration or to generate new ideas?
A: I look to all our team members for inspiration and ideas on what the next innovation will be. There is no better source of ideas than those that have their hands on the process every day.

Q: What does effective leadership mean to you?
A: Being an effective leader means inspiring trust, developing clarity around objectives, finding what motivates your team to achieve those objectives (which isn't always the same thing for everyone), and continually evaluating your team to see what is needed for them to reach their full potential.

Q: Why are you a member of ABI?
A: I just recently joined the ABI Board of Directors and already appreciate the networking aspect. Hearing other members discuss what they are working on, or what they are struggling with, from around the state is very valuable. ABI and its members truly want all of us and the state of Iowa to be successful.