Matt McIntyre is a go-getter. That’s simply the only way to put it.

A true example of using the ICD program to its full potential, McIntyre hasn’t stopped hitting the knowledge button.

“I used to hound the ICD people (at USW/ATI Metals in Brackenridge, Pennsylvania),” McIntyre recalled. “I recruited guys and told (ICD coordinator) Joe (McAninch) about the classes we needed to have. He finally said, ‘You should get involved with this program.’”

Now an LJC co-chair at USW/ATI Metals in Brackenridge, McIntyre continues to promote the program and spread the word about its benefits.

Fast-forward 10 years and McIntyre is a jack of all trades -- literally. He has used the ICD program as a catalyst in climbing the career ladder at the plant. He spent two years in production, worked another eight in maintenance, and with the help of attending ICD classes on his own time moved into his current position as an electrician at the ATI plant in Brackenridge.

“I’ve taken everything from welding, plumbing, and hydraulic classes to small engine repair, computer, and electrical classes,” McIntyre said. “I don’t like to pay for anything (to get worked on) so I’m always wanting to learn new things.”

One thing on McIntyre’s agenda is trying to book a well water treatment class. He’s already been talking to fellow co-workers about it.

“Calling the Culligan man is expensive,” McIntyre said. “It’s really not that hard to do and it can save you a lot of money.”

McIntyre’s passion for learning also helped him tackle the challenge of building his own garage. He said he and his wife, Leigh Ann, did the entire project except for finishing the concrete.

Despite working full-time and taking as many ICD classes as possible, McIntyre still maintains time for his family, which includes son, Peyton, 10, and daughter, Dakota, 9.

“I tell the guys all the time to make time for (ICD) classes,” McIntyre said. “If you’re working and you miss something it’s better to take four of the six classes than none at all. The instructors are great about going over things you’ve missed. They do a good job.”

This coming from a man who knows all about it.

Beth Harrigan is a teacher these days, but don’t call her that.
“I’m not a teacher, I’m a Steelworker,” the ICD instructor and former USW Local 1066 member said. “I’m still learning. I took over 20 years of ICD classes and turned it into a dream job.”

Harrigan, who worked at USW/U.S. Steel-Gary Works for 37 ½ years, practically fell into the job of a being the “Glass Lady” for ICD.

Harrigan was one of the instructors showcased at the USW/ArcelorMittal-I/N Tek & I/N Kote Learning Center Open House on November 30 in New Carlisle, Indiana.

ICD coordinator Jen Kuzdas spearheaded an impressive Open House for the USW Local 9231 members with instructors, vendors, food, and creative ideas to showcase the ICD program. Harrigan, aka “The Lady of Glass” and pictured above, was one of the several instructors on hand.

“I retired from U.S. Steel in 2015 and I was bored to death for six months. I heard they needed a glass teacher at Gary. Next thing I know I’m teaching classes there and then at Midwest and Burns Harbor.

“It’s a dream job, it’s so enjoyable,” Harrigan continued. “I love to see the students’ faces when they have their project in their hands and a big smile to go with it. It’s so rewarding.”

Harrigan, who said she was the first female roll grinder at the 84-inch hot strip in Gary, took 19 years of ICD glass classes and also dabbled in Pinterest-themed courses to learn her niche. She’s now teaching “Mosaic Epoxy Art,” “Gabbling in Glass,” and “Reuse & Repurpose Mosaic Tables,” among other courses for the ICD programs in Northwest Indiana.

“There’s never anything wrong with art,” Harrigan said. “You have a bad day at the mill and you come to an ICD class and art makes everything better.

“It takes your mind off of work and helps you relax.”

It was sweet home Alabama for ICD in mid-November.

ICD visited three of its sites in Alabama prior to the Thanksgiving holiday. USW/Goodyear-Gadsden, USW/U.S. Steel-Fairfield, and USW/BF Goodrich-Tuscaloosa were all part of the tour.

The USW Local 351L site in Tuscaloosa is in the process of building a new Learning Center. Our tour included a visit of the new facility with ICD coordinator Jeff Hewitt, Local 351L President Brandon Hamner, 351L Vice President Jim Knox II, and Local Joint Committee member Bruce Wright.

At the Local 12L facility in Gadsden, ICD went and visited with coordinator Jackie Crowe (pictured above) and talked with Local 12L President Mickey Williams and Vice President Lloyd Cuskaden.

At Fairfield, coordinator Kelli Garvin gave us a tour of the wonderful Learning Center. We were able to catch an HVAC class in session as well as see some of the new additions to the center.

ICD couldn’t be prouder of our hard-working family.

Welcome aboard.

A couple of new faces to ICD made the trek to Northwest Indiana in late September for our New Member Training as well as one other to Cleveland in late October.

ICD welcomes Kevin Mahoney, Robert Havens, and Donna Permigiani to the team.

Mahoney is the new ICD coordinator at USW/U.S. Steel Great Lakes in Ecorse, Michigan, while Havens is the coordinator at USW/Goodyear in Topeka, Kansas. Permigiani started as the ICD coordinator at USW/U.S. Steel Mon Valley on October 1.

Mahoney comes to ICD after 27 years-plus at General Motors and over a decade consulting for GM and the UAW.

“The hardest part is walking into a new position and the expectations,” Mahoney said. “But I hit the ground running and I’m trying to find a comfort zone with so many new things to learn.”

Havens knows the pressure of a new position as well. He spent 13 years in the military – both the Marines and the Army – while serving his country for three different presidents. He even did a tour in Iraq while with the Marines.

Havens spent over nine years working at the Goodyear tire plant in Topeka before taking over the position as ICD coordinator.

“I think having somebody from the plant has been beneficial because I know the various shifts and what it takes to balance school and work,” said Havens, a Topeka native. “It’s like a first-hand perspective.”

As if Havens wasn’t busy enough learning a new craft, he and his wife, Katie, welcomed a baby boy, Jameson Wayne Havens, on October 1.

“As a Marine, your biggest fear is not being prepared so I’ve done a lot of research and homework with the (ICD) program to make sure I’m prepared as much as possible,” Havens said.

“It’s going great. There’s a lot of good people around me.”

Additionally, ICD welcomed Donna Permigiani on October 1. She is in charge of the program at USW/U.S. Steel Mon Valley in Duquesne, Pennsylvania after 18 years in Human Resources Administration. The Pittsburgh native hit the ground running with database training her first week on the job. She also attended the New Member Training in Cleveland October 23-24.

“I’m learning something new every day,” Permigiani said. “The training with ICD (in Cleveland) brought everything together and provided me with a better understanding of the job and the organization.”

Permigiani is no stranger to the steel industry, either. Her father was a steelworker and retired after 37 years from U.S. Steel Irvin Works.

ICD is extremely proud to have added three more incredible people to our team.

Cleveland Rocks.

Especially when the Institute for Career Development is in town.

Twelve Local Career Development Programs recently attended a New Member Training held October 23-24 at USW Local 979 Dave McCall Hall in Cleveland.

“There was so much to absorb in just a couple of days, but I feel so much better about being able to fulfill my role here,” USW/ArcelorMittal Warren Coke ICD coordinator Jason Prater said.

“There was certainly a friendly and open atmosphere that made it an awesome event.”

In all, ICD had Local Joint Committee members or coordinators from USW/BF Goodrich, USW/U.S. Steel, USW/ATI Metals, USW/Goodyear, USW/Liberty Steel and USW/ArcelorMittal at the event.

ICD couldn’t have done it without the hospitality and generosity of the fine folks at the ArcelorMittal Cleveland Plant, especially ICD coordinator Shirley Pasholk and USW Local 979 Vice President Sam Moyer.

The event gave members a chance to network, learn, and trade ideas with fellow ICD leaders.

Donna Permigiani, the new ICD coordinator at USW/U.S. Steel — Mon Valley, just started her new job on October 1 and felt relieved after being a part of the training.

“The ICD team is incredibly knowledgeable and a great resource,” Permigiani said. “I learned so much and it got my mind racing with some ideas for our spring courses.

“It was great to meet some other members and coordinators from other sites and to have those resources.”