CLEVELAND, April 22, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Olympic Steel, Inc. (ZEUS), a leading national metals service center, today announced that the Company's Chief Information Officer, Esther Potash, has been named 2013 CIO of the Year in the public company category by Crain's Cleveland Business.
Award recipients are selected by a panel of industry peers and professionals based upon demonstrated leadership, strategic approach, success metrics and community contributions. Specifically, Potash was recognized for accomplishments ranging from technology advancement and company-wide business systems implementation to her role as the founder of Olympic Steel's Women's Initiative and history of philanthropic service.
"For all of us at Olympic Steel, it's a privilege to work with Esther. This comes as no surprise," said Michael Siegal, the Company's chairman and CEO. "She is well deserving of this recognition, and, along with our entire IT department, is a true asset to our organization. We extend our congratulations to Esther and the other finalists and award recipients."
Potash joined Olympic Steel in 1998 and has held several positions during her tenure, including Director of Strategic Initiatives, Director of Corporate Projects and Manager of Business Analysis. She has also served as the General Manager of the Company's Cleveland operating unit. Much of her career at Olympic Steel has been devoted to the management of multi-million dollar, enterprise-wide information technology and process improvement projects in support of the Company's strategic direction.
Potash is a member of the Executive Women's Leadership Forum and the Cleveland Chapter of the Association of Women in the Metals Industries (AWMI). In 2004, she led Olympic Steel to recognition as AWMI Company of the Year, and, in 2005, was recognized as the AWMI Cleveland Chapter Member of the Year. She also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Alzheimer's Association and the Great Lakes Science Center.
About Olympic Steel
Founded in 1954, Olympic Steel is a leading U.S. metals service center focused on the direct sale and distribution of large volumes of processed carbon, coated and stainless flat-rolled sheet, coil and plate steel and aluminum products. The Company's CTI subsidiary is a leading distributor of steel tubing, bar, pipe, valves and fittings, and fabricates pressure parts for the electric utility industry. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Olympic Steel currently operates from 33 facilities in North America. For further information, visit the Company's website at http://www.olysteel.com or www.b2i.us/profiles/investor/ContactUs.asp?BzID=2195.
Emily Vanuch
Corporate Communications Specialist
(216) 292-3800
