Lapham-Hickey Steel Names New President

Lapham-Hickey Steel Corp., Chicago, has announced a leadership transition.

Bill Hickey, the company’s president for the past 40 years, will step down from the dad-to-day operations. Brian Hickey will be promoted to president, effective Jan. 1, and Will Hickey will become chief commercial officer.  Steve Ford will also become executive vice president.

Bill Hickey has been serving as president of North America’s 35^th-largest service center company since 1977. Hickey, the 2012 recipient of Metal Center News’ Service Center Executive of the Year honor, will remain with Lapham-Hickey as chairman.

Hickey has been a leading figure in the metals distribution and manufacturing industries. He has served numerous roles within the Metals Service Center Institute and has also been a longtime member of the Industry Trade Advisory Committee, a Congressionally created group that advises the Commerce Department and U.S. Trade Representative on the effects of trade on U.S. industry.

Bill Hickey says he had been considering stepping down from the day-to-day operations for more than a year, and decided this was the time to turn over the business to his sons. “They’re both wonderful people. It’s their time,” he says, noting that his sons are far more comfortable dealing with the new metrics and technology that are a focal point of business than he has been.

Brian Hickey will operate out of the Chicago headquarters, while Will Hickey will remain in the Minneapolis branch.  Bill Hickey will continue to advise on large company efforts as chairman, but will be removed from the day to day.