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Jan. 8, 2014 ASD Names Barnett Steel Man of the Year Jim Barnett, president of Grand Steel Products, Wixom, Mich., has been named the Steel Man of the Year by the Association of Steel Distributors, Chicago. The award is ASD’s highest honor, given to an individual who "embodies leadership, dedication, service and excellence in the steel industry." "Because of the high regard I have for both past and current members, as well as the accomplishments of the organization, I am especially honored to join the previous recipients of this award," Barnett says. "As manufacturing in this country continues its comeback, I am proud to be involved in the distribution chain of the American-made product that has never gone away— U.S.-made steel and the products now made from it." Barnett began his career more than 45 years ago as a shop worker at Republic Steel Corp. He worked summers interning for an import and export company in Belgium and Germany. After graduating from college, he worked in sales for several flat-rolled steel distributors in Detroit before starting a distributorship in partnership with his brother, Stuart. That company was sold to a large steel group after 20 years of steady growth. Barnett started Grand Steel Products in 1995 and has grown the company into a mid-sized steel distributor specializing in hot-rolled, cold-rolled and coated steel products. He is the immediate past president of the ASD. He also serves on the board of his temple and various other charitable organizations. "Jim Barnett has been a loyal supporter, friend, mentor, and advisor not only to me, but to countless others in the steel industry. Those that are fortunate enough to interact with Jim learn more about themselves, their career and, most importantly, the level of leadership he possesses," says ASD President Lisa Goldenberg. Barnett will be officially recognized at a black-tie event at the Waldorf Astoria in Orlando, Fla., during the ASD Annual Convention March 20-22.