The founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board of Esmark (NASDAQ: ESMK) is James P. Bouchard ( 46 ). He sets the vision, picks the team, and oversees purchasing, operations, sales and partnership activity. His experience and skill set blends domestic and international sales, operations and strategic planning experience.
Prior to founding Esmark, Jim was Vice President-Commercial for U.S. Steel in Europe, residing in Kosice, Slovak Republic. He was a member of the executive team that U.S. Steel sent to Kosice before and after having acquired the Slovakian National Steel Company (VSZ). Jim is widely credited with the successful commercial restructuring, implementation, and subsequent growth strategy of the company's global and European sales, marketing, strategic planning, production planning, and customer service initiatives. Today, the Kosice operation is the most profitable steel asset owned by U.S. Steel.
Jim currently serves on the Board of Directors of the American Iron and Steel Institute in Washington DC and through his 20 years of international and domestic experiences Jim has developed a vast knowledge of the global OEM, service center and trading network. He was ultimately accountable for the commercial operations of U.S. Steel in 42 countries. Jim served on the C.D.E. committee for Eurofer in Brussels, Belgium . In addition, Chairman of the SSCI and AHAM supplier divisions of AISI-Washington, DC, and Board of Directors: Wheeling-Nisshan Steel Corporation and Ohio Coatings Corporation.
Jim began his career at U.S. Steel Group in 1987 as a sales representative and was rapidly promoted through several sales and marketing positions including Manager-Marketing and Strategic Market Development manager for the corporation. In 1998, he became Manager of National Accounts for the company and was responsible for sales, marketing, and customer service activities in the U.S. appliance, container, and converter industries. Throughout these positions Jim became a prominent figure in the domestic steel industry and has maintained and built upon these customer relationships.
Jim graduated from Loyola University - Chicago School of Business and holds United States patent 4,373,955 lightweight insulating concrete.
In the spring of 2005, Jim was nominated and chosen as an Illinois Finalist of the prestigious Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Award.
On March 26, 2006 the Association of Steel Distributors bestowed their highest honor on Jim as Steel Man of the Year.
Youngest Inductee into Hinsdale Central Hall of Fame- 2007
Jim is the 2007-08 recipient of the Loyola University- Chicago Damen Award for distinguished alumni.
He sets the vision, picks the team, and oversees purchasing, operations, sales and partnership activity. His experience and skill set blends domestic and international sales, operations and strategic planning experience.