Stephen E. Makarewicz served as the CEO and President of Ryerson Holding Corporation from 2008 until his retirement in early 2011. He led the company during a period when succession planning was in the spotlight, as he announced his intent...

Stephen E. Makarewicz served as the CEO and President of Ryerson Holding Corporation from 2008 until his retirement in early 2011. He led the company during a period when succession planning was in the spotlight, as he announced his intent to retire by 2012. With a solid background in the metals distribution industry, he had previously held key roles including President and Chief Operating Officer of Ryerson. Notably, he came from J.M. Metals Company, which he led before its merger with Ryerson. Under his leadership, the company's compensation strategy emphasized performance-based incentives, aligning executive pay with company results. For instance, in 2009, his total compensation was $529,430, primarily from salary, as no stock or cash bonuses were awarded due to unmet performance metrics. His strategic focus was on retaining talent while driving long-term value for shareholders, making decisions that reflected a tough economic climate. His experience and decision-making helped navigate Ryerson through challenging times in a competitive industry.