Steel Dynamics, Inc. (NASDAQ: STLD) filed a Form 8-K on August 4, 2026, disclosing a multi-step executive leadership transition, including the planned retirement of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mark D. Millett and the appointment of Theresa E. Wagler as his successor effective January 1, 2027.

Key Highlights

  • CEO retirement notice: Mark D. Millett gave notice on August 3, 2026, of his intention to retire as Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2027.
  • New CEO named: Theresa E. Wagler, currently Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will become President and Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2027.
  • Millett to remain as Executive Chairman: The Board appointed Millett as Executive Chairman concurrently with his retirement as CEO.
  • New CFO designated: Richard A. Poinsatte, currently Executive Vice President and Treasurer, will become Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective January 1, 2027.
  • Wagler joins the Board immediately: The Board appointed Wagler as a director effective immediately and increased board size from seven to eight members.
  • September 1, 2026 appointments: Four additional executives received new titles, including Barry Schneider becoming Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer.

Steel Dynamics' Leadership Transition: Roles, Dates, and Appointments

According to the filing, Mark D. Millett, Steel Dynamics' Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, notified the Board of Directors on August 3, 2026, of his plan to retire as CEO effective January 1, 2027. The Board simultaneously appointed him to serve as Executive Chairman upon that retirement. The filing states that any material changes to Millett's compensation will be determined by the Compensation Committee and that the company will amend the Current Report as required.

The filing discloses that Theresa E. Wagler, currently serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will assume the role of President and Chief Executive Officer on January 1, 2027. Effective immediately upon the filing, the Board appointed Wagler as a board member, increasing the board's size from seven to eight members. Richard A. Poinsatte, currently Executive Vice President and Treasurer, is designated to become Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer on the same January 1, 2027 date.

Separately, the filing reports four executive appointments effective September 1, 2026: Barry Schneider, currently President and Chief Operating Officer, will become Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer; Miguel Alvarez, currently Senior Vice President Aluminum Group, will become Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Aluminum Flat Rolled Products and Metals Recycling Operations; James Anderson, currently Senior Vice President Long Products Steel Group, will become Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Construction Products Operations; and Christopher Graham, currently Senior Vice President Flat Roll Steel Group, will become Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Flat Rolled Steel Operations.

What Was Disclosed

Steel Dynamics disclosed a planned CEO succession effective January 1, 2027, with Theresa E. Wagler replacing Mark D. Millett, who will transition to Executive Chairman. Several additional officer appointments were also announced, with some effective September 1, 2026.