AISI Announces Recipients of 2025 Market Development Industry Leadership Awards

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) today presented two awards to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to advancing the competitive use of steel in the marketplace — specifically in the construction and automotive markets. The awards were presented by Lourenco Goncalves, AISI Chairman and the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., at AISI’s General Meeting held at the InterContinental Hotel–The Wharf in Washington, D.C.  

Goncalves presented the “2025 Market Development Industry Leadership Awards” to Dr. Michael Barker, professor of civil and architectural engineering at the University of Wyoming and J.P. Singh, technical integration engineer, steel, advanced manufacturing at General Motors.  

“We are thrilled to celebrate Michael and J.P. for their outstanding leadership and steadfast dedication to championing the benefits of steel in the construction and automotive sectors. Their expertise is essential as we rise to meet modern challenges,” said Goncalves. “Continuous innovation is vital for American steel producers to adapt to changing demands. We deeply value the enduring guidance and impactful contributions of these two remarkable individuals.” 

Dr. Barker is a professor of civil and architectural engineering at the University of Wyoming. His primary research pertains to steel bridges, experimental testing, bridge design specifications, bridge field-testing, high-performance steel and reliability analyses of structures. As an active member of the AISI Bridge Task Force and leader of educational efforts for the AISI-led Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance (SSSBA), he has helped educate more than 20,000 bridge owners and designers on the benefits of steel bridges. Additionally, he has spearheaded an educational program that has introduced more than 2,000 students to cost-effective steel bridge design and construction, ensuring that the next generation of engineers is well-versed in steel solutions. Barker received his BS and MS in Civil Engineering from Purdue University and his PhD from the University of Minnesota.  

Pictured Left to Right: Lourenco Goncalves, AISI Chairman and the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.; Michael Barker, professor of civil and architectural engineering at the University of Wyoming; Kevin Dempsey, President and CEO of AISI

J.P. Singh is a technical integration engineer for steel and advanced manufacturing at General Motors (GM) and has played a vital role in advancing the use of steels in the U.S. automotive industry. Singh’s career includes more than 15 years at GM and 13 years at Chrysler. His expertise has shaped material supplier development, manufacturing quality and specification advancements. Singh is an American Society for Metals International (ASM) fellow and has chaired the ASM Detroit Chapter. He also represents GM at the Colorado School of Mines’ Advanced Steel Processing and Products Research Center, co-chairs the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) committee on advanced high-strength and hot stamped steels for SAE World Congress, holds four patents and is a trained Six Sigma Black Belt.  

Pictured Left to Right: Lourenco Goncalves, AISI Chairman and the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.; J.P. Singh, technical integration engineer, steel, advanced manufacturing at General Motors; Kevin Dempsey, President and CEO of AISI

 ### 

Contact: Lisa Harrison

202.452.7115 / lharrison@steel.org

AISI serves as the voice of the American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI’s membership is comprised of integrated and electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmakers, steel pipe and tube manufacturers and steel processors and fabricators, reflecting the production and distribution of both carbon and stainless steels. These steels are critical to America’s national and economic security, including roads and bridges, buildings, the electrical grid, cars and trucks and all clean energy technologies. AISI also represents associate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry. For more news about steel and its applications, view AISI’s website at www.steel.org. Follow AISI on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter (@AISISteel) or Instagram.