Business Achievement Award Recipients - 2010
 Keith Busse
Chairman and CEO, Steel Dynamics, Inc.
Nominated by: Indiana University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne
A prominent and generous businessman in Northeast Indiana, Keith Busse headed up the team that established Steel Dynamics, Inc. in 1993.
Prior to founding SDI, Busse worked for Nucor Corp. for 21 years, rising from division controller to general manager, and then ultimately becoming vice president and general manager of the Nucor facility at Crawfordsville, Ind. At Crawfordsville, Busse led a team that built and operated the world’s first mini-mill to use thin-slab-casting steelmaking technology.
Busse set out with his business partners in 1993 to form Steel Dynamics, the first new U.S. steel producer in a century to be formed without corporate backing or pre-existing financial credentials. Based on their reputation and a strong business plan, they succeeded in raising $370 million in capital to build SDI’s flat-roll mini-mill at Butler, Indiana. Constructed in a record l4 months, the greenfield mill began production of hot-rolled steel early in 1996 and became profitable in its sixth month of operation.
Under Busse’s leadership, Steel Dynamics has quickly grown to more than $3 billion in revenues and is one of the most profitable steel companies in the world.
In addition to his business achievements, Busse has been generous in his support of education in Fort Wayne via his financial contributions to Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, Saint Francis University, and Ivy Tech Vocational College. He has contributed a building to Saint Francis University and a building bearing his name is currently under construction at Ivy Tech. He also serves on the Business Advisory Council for Doermer School of Business and Management Sciences at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne and serves as a Trustee for both the University of St. Francis and Trine University, located in Northeast Indiana.
Busse earned an accounting degree from International Business College and a bachelor’s in business finance from the University of Saint Francis. Upon completion of an MBA at Indiana University in 1978, Busse received the Wall Street Journal award for academic excellence. He also received a Distinguished Alumnus Award from Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne in 1991.
 Joseph J. Plumeri
Chairman and CEO, Willis Group Holdings,
Nominated by: Seton Hall University
Joseph J. Plumeri is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Willis Group Holdings plc. Under his leadership, the Willis Group has strengthened its position as one of the world’s leading insurance brokers through sector-leading organic growth and operating margins, strategic expansion, and a dedication to transparency and passionate client service.
Plumeri has been a leader in the insurance industry in an era of unprecedented scrutiny and change. During this time, he has pressed for greater transparency, client service and innovation at the Willis Group and throughout the industry. In 2004, the company became the first – and only – insurance broker to abolish the practice of accepting contingent commissions for retail clients and the first to establish a Client Bill of Rights. In recognition of his efforts to drive positive change, St. John’s University School of Risk Management named him 2006 Insurance Leader of the Year.
Prior to joining Willis, Plumeri enjoyed a 32-year career at Citigroup and its predecessor companies. As CEO of Citibank North America, he led the integration of the consumer businesses at Citicorp and Travelers Group. Plumeri also served as Chairman and CEO of Travelers Primerica Financial Services, Vice Chairman of the Travelers Group, and President and Managing Partner of Shearson Lehman Brothers.
An active and committed community leader, Plumeri has been honored by numerous civic and philanthropic organizations, including the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation in 2009 for his personal philanthropy and positive impact on the reputation of the insurance industry, and by the Jackie Robinson Foundation in 2010 for his motivational leadership style and pursuit of excellence.
Plumeri currently serves on the boards of the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, Mount Sinai Medical Center, the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum and American Friends of the Churchill Museum in London. Plumeri is also co-owner of two New Jersey minor league baseball teams – the Trenton Thunder, the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, and the Lakewood BlueClaws, the Single-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Plumeri received his bachelor of arts degree in history and education from The College of William and Mary and also attended New York Law School.
 Robert S. Reitman
Former CEO, Trazonic Companies;
Chair, Robert S. and Sylvia K. Reitman Philanthropic Fund
Nominated by: West Virginia University
Robert S. Reitman is a businessman, lawyer and entrepreneur; and a civic, social and philanthropic leader who gives his time, expertise, money, and self to his community. Although now retired as a lawyer and the Chief Executive Officer of Tranzonic Companies, he runs the Robert S. and Sylvia K. Reitman Philanthropic Fund, a family foundation.
During his career he has served as a director on multiple boards including Key Bank, Star Bank, Mercury Aviation, Capital National Bank, and Weirton Steel Corporation. Reitman also served as a board or committee member for the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Cleveland Zoological Society, Mt. Sinai Medical Center, and the Western Reserve Kennel Club.
In 2001, Reitman provided funds to start West Virginia University’s Corporate Citizenship Project class. The course is offered each spring as an elective to upper class business students. Designed to teach upcoming business leaders the significance of contributing to society, the program provides participants with funds to distribute to local charitable organizations. Since the program’s inception, students have given away a total of $185,000.
Throughout his career Reitman has had a strong commitment to education and medicine. In May 2009 the Reitman Family Foundation donated $l.5 million to University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio and Case Western Reserve University to support research on cardiovascular disease. Reitman also provides his leadership, dedication, and expert advice as a member of the Leadership Gifts Committee with the Case Western Reserve School of Law.
Reitman has served the United Way, locally and nationally, for more than 40 years in various leadership capacities. He also serves as a director of University Hospital, and as chair of Amici Medicine at Case School of Medicine.
Reitman graduated from West Virginia University in 1955 and is a 1958 graduate of Case Western Reserve University School of Law.
Past Business Achievement Award Recipients
|
