Rose-Hulman has appointed Steel Dynamics’ Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Barry Schneider, a 1990 mechanical engineering alumnus, to its Board of Trustees. He was welcomed to the Board recently at its annual fall meeting. 

Schneider was named to his current role at Steel Dynamics in September 2026. He is responsible for product and technology development, process innovation, safety oversight, the company’s decarbonization strategy, and information technology. He previously served as president and chief operating officer, overseeing Steel Dynamics’ steel, steel fabrication, and metals recycling platforms, along with information technology and innovation. 

Since joining Steel Dynamics in 1995, Schneider has held a variety of operational and leadership positions, including senior vice president of the Flat Roll Steel Group. He also helped construct the company’s first steel mill in Butler, Indiana, contributing to the foundation of what has become one of the nation’s largest steel producers.

“Barry brings extensive experience in engineering, innovation, and organizational leadership, along with a firsthand understanding of the value of a Rose-Hulman education,” said Rose-Hulman President Robert A. Coons. “His perspective on developing technology and building effective teams will be a tremendous asset as we prepare our students to lead in a rapidly changing world. We are pleased to welcome him to the Board of Trustees.”

Schneider’s connection to Rose-Hulman began as an undergraduate student and member of the Sigma Nu fraternity and the Fightin’ Engineers football team. He has credited those experiences with developing both the technical foundation and collaborative approach that have guided his career. 

Nearly two decades after completing his bachelor’s degree, Schneider returned to Rose-Hulman to earn a master’s degree in engineering management in 2011, expanding his knowledge of operations development, project management, marketing, and systems engineering. He received an alumni Career Achievement Award from Rose-Hulman in 2010. 

Schneider has maintained a strong connection to Rose-Hulman, serving as the keynote speaker for the Institute’s annual Order of the Engineer ceremony for several years. He and his wife, Verna, have also supported the college through philanthropy. His graduate studies made a tangible impact at Steel Dynamics: the capstone project he completed with a fellow engineering management student became a $76 million mill project approved by the company’s board in February 2012, less than a year after his May 2011 graduation. The facility began operating in summer 2014 and has been fully utilized for the past decade as market demand has focused on smaller-diameter bars.

In addition to his Rose-Hulman degrees, Schneider earned an executive certificate in technology, operations, and value chain management from the MIT Sloan School of Management. He serves as chairman of the Steel Manufacturers Association and is a past president of the Association for Iron & Steel Technology.

"When I arrived at Rose-Hulman as a freshman in 1986, I was immediately welcomed into a collegial community that was supportive and challenging in every aspect,” Schneider said. “Being immersed into the Rose-Hulman experience helped me become a better person, and being surrounded by the very best in faculty and fellow students set my trajectory for my career and personal life. I want to serve Rose-Hulman as a Trustee to help continue the great traditions of academic excellence and leadership for generations to come."