Emerging Leaders Alliance

Summary of the 2008 Capstone Program

The Emerging Leaders Alliance, a world-class leadership training and online community for young engineering professionals, held its 2008
Capstone Program in Pittsburgh, Pa., Oct. 9–11, 2008. The program was well received by the 45 attendees.

The 2008 program included instructor-led interactive training sessions,
keynote addresses from local business leaders, and a continuing online
community forum where attendees can share and learn from one another,
access recommended leadership resource materials, and read a variety
of comments from industry leaders.

2008 Program Highlights

• BEST personality-typing, Gary L. Bunch, Key Group.
• “Team Building Across Generations,” Dee Giffin Flaherty, Ph.D.,
  Carlow University.
• “Risk Assessment, Critical Thinking, and Problem Solving,” Ann
  Atkinson, Ed.D., Ann Atkinson Associates.
• “Social Responsibility and Environmental Stewardship,” Robert
  Kumpf, chief administrative officer and vice president at Bayer MaterialScience
• The opportunity to network with engineering professionals from a variety of fields.

John H. Goodish, executive vice president and chief operating officer of United States Steel Corporation was one of two keynote speakers. His presentation on corporate social responsibility included ethical practices, compliance and quality products. Mr. Goodish also discussed U. S. Steel’s commitment to the U. S. Steel Košice plant and the community of Košice, Slovakia.

Three attendees were selected to participate on behalf of AIST: Dr. Matthew J. Merwin, research specialist at U. S. Steel Research and Technology Center; Brian Lippert, division manager, finishing and shipping, ArcelorMittal Cleveland; and Mike B. Hess, meltshop manager, Nucor Steel–Decatur. These gentlemen were chosen by executives from their respective companies.

2008 Attendees

Left to right: Michele Gottwald, associate executive director, AIME; Ron
Ashburn, executive director, AIST; John H. Goodish, executive vice
president and chief operating officer, United States Steel Corporation; Dr.
Michael Karmis, president, AIME; and Warren Hunt, executive director,
TMS.