Mike Burlingham
Operations Manager, Gary, IN
From mentee to mentor. Believes there’s always more to learn. Looks forward to continued professional growth.
Mike Burlingham is proud to have worked his way from entry level to Operations Manager in nine years. If it’s a job in the shop, he’s probably done it – and he’s used that experience to mentor others and build his career with Olympic Steel.
In 2012, Mike started working for the Gary, IN division as a Stacker Operator on the cut-to-length line. After about two years of learning multiple jobs on that line (including Crane Operator), he was promoted to Second Shift Supervisor. In 2016, he was promoted to Plant Manager, and early in 2021, Mike earned another promotion to Operations Manager for the Gary, IN division.
Mike credits the guidance and support he received from managers, Andrew Wolfort, Terry Rohde, Damon Wos and Scott Besunder, for helping him learn as much as he could in each position to prepare him for his current role.
Damon Wos, General Manager for the Gary, IN and Schaumburg, IL divisions says, “Mike is committed to making a career at Olympic Steel and has done so with hard work and dedication. He is unselfish and leads by example.”
Mike is not afraid to do what it takes to get the job done. “When we face challenges, it’s time to put the gloves on and get a little dirty,” he explains. “The best way for me to understand what we’re up against is to get right in the middle of it.”
He enjoys daily interactions like this and especially enjoys seeing his team work together to learn more and succeed. He uses these opportunities to mentor and guide his team to learn how to manage similar challenges in the future.
Mike encourages others who want to build a strong career to never be afraid to learn as much as possible. He says, “The more you learn, the more you’ll be able to do and the more you’ll grow – personally and professionally.”
And Mike’s not just giving this advice – he’s living it! He worked his way from Stacker Operator to Operations Manager, and he’s driven to keep that momentum going.
