Atlas Leadership Academy
The Atlas Leadership Academy is a year-long leadership development initiative aimed at identifying, rewarding and developing Atlas’ high potential managers. Each class represents a cross-section of Atlas companies and members are selected by their CEOs for their passion, performance, potential and personal commitment to deliver breakthrough results.
The ALA program develops specific skills needed to transform and strengthen businesses, improves the Atlas leadership pipeline and exposes Atlas’ high potential managers to industry leaders from across the Atlas family.
Director
Lynn Utter was appointed Director of the Atlas Leadership Academy in late 2016. From 2016 to 2018, she served as Chief Executive Officer of First Source LLC, a leading distributor and packager of specialty candies, nuts and snacks. She also served as Chairwoman of the Board of Managers of Merchants Metals LLC, formerly an Atlas portfolio company. Lynn has previously served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Knoll Office as well as the Chief Strategy Officer at Coors Brewing Company. She is a dynamic, engaged and passionate teacher of leadership skills and is a valued mentor and instructor to ALA participants.
Mission
The Atlas Leadership Academy was established in 2015 with a simple but important mission: to create a new pathway to win the ‘War for Talent’ by recognizing and developing our high potential managers and assisting them in becoming tomorrow’s leaders. The ALA is a signature program for Atlas; it presents a unique opportunity to retain our very best talent and augment our leadership pipeline through a targeted, substantive learning experience.
Curriculum
The ALA experience offers a curriculum centered around four pillars:
(1) Getting Results;
(2) Communication/Connecting with Others and Values;
(3) Critical Thinking; and
(4) Leadership Capacity.
Sessions are designed to focus on these critical areas and feature guest mentors such as Atlas CEOs and Board Members. In addition, each class member undertakes a year-long Individual Development Project (IDP). The IDP challenges the class member to address an area in need of operational improvement that, when solved, will lead to significant value creation. This project, executed in collaboration with his or her CEO, is assessed for its ability to produce measurable and meaningful impact to the company’s bottom line.
Selection Process
Each fall, Atlas company CEOs nominate worthy candidates for participation in the Atlas Leadership Academy. Criteria for nomination include the candidate’s current roles and responsibilities, technical skills, notable leadership qualities, initiatives spearheaded and particular attributes that confirm the individual is a high-potential manager within the business. Nominations are reviewed by a committee of Atlas partners to select the following year’s Class.
Testimonial
"The Atlas Leadership Academy is effective and I am grateful for the investment being made in my future. I’m learning and eager to implement these important leadership ‘best practices,’ as are the others in the class."
Class Members
Class of 2022
Name | Company | Title |
---|---|---|
Jon Ocerin Aldecoa | Aludium | Metal Supply Chain Leader – Cast House |
Jeremiah Blankinship | Finch Pape | Electrical and Instrumentation Manager |
John Lovett | Granite Shore Power | Operations & Maintenance Technician (A) – Control Room Operator |
Stephen Trail | Iconex | Supply Chain Director, POS Business |
Heather Hanlon | Iconex | Director Business Process Optimization |
Tony Torzon | IWG | Plant Manager |
Sharon Lavender | Lakeside Book Company | Finance Director, Pricing & Billing |
Rose James | LSC Communications | Vice President of Selling |
Sarah Hoxie | LSC Communications | Vice President Corporate Finance |
Pat Galvin | LSC – MCL | SVP Operations |
Timothy Roach | LSC – MCL | Bindery Supervisor |
Timothy Bassett | Marcal | Director, Converting |
Morena Gallina | Permasteelisa | Group Manufacturing & Procurement Specialist |
Bas Holtus | Permasteelisa | Head of Tender Department |
Matthew Kubbinga | Saxco | Director, S&OP |
Vishrut Patel | Tecumseh | Global Manager – Program Management Office |
Marcelo Duarte | Tecumseh | Director, Global Systems |
Danielle Thibodeau | Twin Rivers | Paper Manufacturing Manager |
Jordan Smith | Winston Plywood | Staff Accountant |
Mike Beckman | Motus | Commercial Sales Manager |
Jason Jaworowicz | Motus | Sr. Manager, Advanced & Process Engineering |
Todd Treybal | Stryten | Director of Operations, Transportation |
Class of 2021
Name | Company | Title |
---|---|---|
Julien Saurat | Aludium | Plant Director |
Brian DeVasConCellos | EQI | Director of Operations |
Stacy Hine | Finch | Assistant Controller |
Maria Brooks | Flagstone Foods | Manager – Procurement |
Kristy Hackel | Flagstone Foods | Principal Scientist |
Jeffrey Johnston | GSP | Station Engineer |
Jonathan Meissner | GSP | Operations and Maintenance Manager |
Yann Kersulec | Iconex | Leader, Finance and Accounting |
Kari Greason | Iconex US | Solutions Manager |
Yulia Leskovets | IWG | Sr. Business Development Manager |
Emily Royer | Marcal | Director, Sales and Marketing |
Claudia Cervantes | Motus | Director of Fiber Ops – Mexico |
Angela Rapattoni | Saxco | Director of Commercial Finance |
Regis Marques | Tecumseh | VP of Product Development |
John Bates | Twin Rivers | Director of Labor and ER |
Chad Thomas | Veritas Steel | Operations Manager |
Matt Lallemont | Veritas Steel | Planning Manager |
Class of 2020
Name | Company | Title |
---|---|---|
David Baskin | International Wire Group | VP, Continuous Improvement |
Lance Blizzard | ASG | EU Group Technical Director |
David Byrd | Merchants Metals | Senior Business Intelligence Developer |
Melissa Cole | Granite Shore Power | Environmental Engineer |
Tanya Dinning | Winston Plywood & Veneer | Controller |
Simon Gaston | Greenidge Generation | IC & E Team Leader |
Kurt Goldsby | Motus | Assistant Corporate Controller |
Carlos Gonzalez | Motus | Plant Manager |
Johan Gouws | Tecumseh | Managing Director – Middle East |
Josh Hoopingarner | Merchants Metals | Director of Distribution, Southeast |
Mike Koch | EQI | Business Unit Manager |
Iris Kwan | Millar Western | Financial Controller |
William Pooley | Tecumseh | Global Director – Sales, Inventory and Operations Planning |
Stephanie Ramczyk | Saxco | Director of Customer Service and Customer Care |
Joe Ramos | Finch Paper | Director, Pulp and Paper Manufacturing |
Cara Rogers | Novipax | Corporate Controller |
Karen Samuel | Iconex | Corporate Finance Manager |
Ben Scott | RedBuilt | Director of Information Systems |
Class of 2019
Name | Company | Title |
---|---|---|
Esther Alvarez Cienfuegos Rivera |
Aludium | Business and Market Analyst |
Derek Cooper | Motus | Commercial Sales Manager |
Brian Cowan | RedBuilt | Stayton Plant Manager |
Chris Downing | Banker Steel | Director of Financial Planning & Analysis |
Bill Elton | Novipax | Senior Customer Service Manager |
Rich Faro | Granite Shore Power | Maintenance Manager |
Oscar Garcia | Merchants Metals | Plant Manager – Mexicali |
Mike Hein | Veritas Steel | EHS Site Lead |
Michael Hill | Aludium | Director of Corporate Finance |
Anne Kocian | Tecumseh | Corporate Controller |
James Morrison | Merchants Metals | Regional Operations Manager, West |
Tim Rainey | Greenidge Generation | Accounting & Finance Manager |
Jeremy Rice | Veritas Steel | Director of Quality Systems and Compliance |
Darrin Robinson | Iconex | Sales Operations Manager |
Jason Taylor | Banker Steel | Senior Project Manager |
Class of 2018
Name | Company | Title |
---|---|---|
Scott Aldas | Novipax | Sr. Director, FP&A |
Tim Barger | Iconex | CFO, RiteMaid, an Iconex Company |
Ross Becnel | Merchants Metals | Service Center Manager – Slidell, LA |
Bryan Beikman | Erickson Construction | Systems Manager |
James Cinglie | Motus | Interim Director of Purchasing |
John DeMarco | Finch Paper | Sales Director, Technical Papers |
Jennifer Doyle | Motus | Director of Business Development |
Jeremy Duckett | Veritas Steel | Project Manager |
Mark Frankson | Erickson Construction | General Superintendent |
Kit Fransen | Tecumseh | Director, Product Management North America |
Mike Garrow | Soundview Paper | Director of Converting |
Andrzej Klopotowski | ASG | Operations Manager |
²Ñ¾±±ô¾±Ìý²Ñ±ô²¹»å±ð²Ô´Ç±¹¾±³¦ | Iconex | Business Optimization Manager |
Damien Muller | Tecumseh | FP&A Manager |
Jonathan Pelletier | Twin Rivers | Line Superintendent |
Daniel Spagnuolo | Motus | Product Engineering Manager |
Jay Stendahl | Veritas Steel | Project Manager |
Brad Stewart | Winston Plywood | Log Procurement Manager |
Class of 2017
Name | Company | Title |
---|---|---|
Jon Belausteguigoitia Beobide | Aludium | Controller – Spain |
Jose Ignacio Juan Pianelles | Aludium | Alicante Plant Production Manager |
Brett Slater | Amaray | Production Manager |
Neil Pentecost | Amaray Europe | Marketing Manager |
Randall Wenger | Banker Steel | Change Order Manager |
Mark Maulding | Bridgewell | VP Strategy and Administration |
Ben Povak | Finch Paper | Wood Procurement Manager |
Mark Swinnerton | Greenridge | VP, PM, HR, AP |
Dahn Nilsen | Iconex | Vice President, Strategy |
Collin Lilley | Merchant Metals | Area Manager |
Jay Sloan | Merchant Metals | Service Center Manager |
Alejandro Gonzalez | Motus | Director of Operations |
Christopher Cunin | Motus | Quality Manager |
Dave Thompson | RedBuilt | Manager National Accounts |
Brian Gauthier | Soundview Paper | General Manager – Soundview VT |
Dave Meaker | SPARK! | VP Software Development |
Jennifer McIntosh | Tecumseh | Director Global SIOP |
Bruce Wellman | Twin Rivers Paper | Paper Manufacturing Manager |
Roland Leger | Twin Rivers Paper | Manager, Pulp Operations |
John Cole | Veritas Steel | General Manager Palatka Facility |
AJ Webb | Winston Plywood & Veneer | Sales Representative |
Class of 2016
Name | Company | Title |
---|---|---|
Alberto Ruiz Guillot | Aludium | Alicante Plant Director |
Herman Nassette | ASG | General Manager – Holland Facility |
Selda Tastan | ASG | Safety and Human Resources in UK and Holland |
Erick Peterson | Banker Steel | Sales and Marketing Manager – Mid Atlantic Region |
Robert Cullen | Detroit Renewable Energy | Senior Accountant |
Larry Butts | Erickson Construction | General Manager – Arizona Frame Division |
Joseph Hall | Finch Paper | Director of Strategic Sourcing |
Russ Lamm | Merchants Metals | Service Center/District Manager |
Anthony Nolan | Merchants Metals | Branch Manager – Lawrenceville, GA |
David Garrett | Motus Integrated Technologies | Director of Business Development |
Sarah Thuo | Novipax | Director of Supply Chain & Operations Analytics |
Paul Drace | RedBuilt | Director of Marketing |
Brian Pasmore | Soundview Paper | Market Analyst |
Bambi Gorman | Soundview Paper | VP of Commercial Operations |
Phillip Dubois | Twin Rivers Paper | Business Analyst |
Ray Iesalnieks | Veritas Steel | Quality Manager |
Class of 2015
Name | Company | Title |
---|---|---|
John Ballaro | Amaray | Engineering Manager |
Kate Wood | Amaray | Global Head of Human Resources |
Agnieszka Klimkowska | ASG | Customer Service Manager – Poland |
David Roberts | Banker Steel | VP, Projects |
Jena Coon | Detroit Renewable Energy | Project Planner/Scheduler |
Matt Keyser | Bridgewell | VP, Utility & Construction Division |
Lane Fitzmorris | Erickson Construction | General Manager – Reno, NV |
Greg Barnett | Finch Paper | Director of Business Improvement |
Tracey Riley | Finch Paper | VP, Human Resources |
Bob Albright | Strathcona Paper | Mill Operations Manager |
Craig Lorraine | Motus | VP, Commercial Operations |
Mel Matson | New Wood Resources – Olympic Panel |
Operations Manager |
Brandon Choplin | Pangborn | Project and Applications Engineer |
Polo Rivera | Pangborn | Mexico & Latin America Manager |
Heather Strong | RedBuilt | Senior Engineer |
Jason Weber | RedBuilt | Regional Sales Manager |
Ben Wenberg | Soundview Paper | VP, Operations |
Scott Steinmetz | Veritas Steel | Purchasing Manager |