Jason Zielinski

Jason Zielinski, Network Communications Manager, Olympic Steel, Bedford Heights, OH

From Intern to Network Communications Manager. Focused on minimizing downtime. Embodies our Customer Satisfaction Core Value.

Jason Zielinski started his career at Olympic Steel’s Corporate office just over 16 years ago as a Desktop Support Intern. He worked part-time until he graduated from Cleveland State University with a degree in Computer Information Science with a concentration in Management and Labor Relations. After graduation, he was hired full-time as Desktop Support and a few years later was promoted to Network Engineer. Since then, Jason has earned two additional promotions within the same department: Senior Network Engineer and Network Communications Manager, his current role.

“Jason is a manager that leads by example,” says Chris Garrett, Vice President – Information Services. “He has developed a deep level of system networking and security knowledge on-the-job, in his personal time and through formal education. He instills the same level of commitment and accountability in his team that he expects of himself. And he understands that his work must often be performed outside of office hours, so as not to interrupt normal business operations.”

Much of Jason’s work is done behind-the-scenes, and he’s proud of the work he does to make sure no one has issues that might keep them from doing their job. Recalling a time when the server that ran the phone system crashed in the evening, Jason explains that he was able to go into work and rebuild the system before 7am the next day. “No one even noticed it happened,” he said.

Seamlessly resolving issues in the most efficient way possible is absolutely Jason’s goal and he’s made time during his career to learn as much as he can to be able to do that. He credits his previous supervisors, Olympic Steel University (a former Company training program) and the Information Systems Team for supporting his career. He explains, “Touring divisions and steel mills helped me understand more than the administrative side of the business - what’s involved in making Olympic Steel and our industry run.”

Knowing how we all work together is important for Jason to understand because he works with just about everyone. “It makes me happy to help others through their challenges, working from the ground up and applying the knowledge I’ve gained from others and my experiences to get the answer we need,” says Jason.

With this focus in mind, it’s no surprise that when asked which of Olympic Steel’s Core Values he most represented, Jason said Customer Satisfaction: “Customer Satisfaction for our internal customers, the employees. I help support the business by minimizing downtime for every end-user. The less I get in people’s way, the better they are able to do their job. It’s important to minimize people’s downtime.”

Whether he’s dealing with phones, computers, other components of our network infrastructure or cyber security, Jason consistently contributes to our successful utilization of resources and helps those he interacts with understand how we all work together. Understanding your role as a part of the bigger picture is an important part of Jason’s advice for building a successful career with the Company. He says, “Look outside your job, ask a lot of questions and pay attention to what’s happening outside of your wheelhouse – it will open new doors.”