Daniel R. DiMicco began his Nucor career in 1982 as Chief Metallurgist at Nucor Steel Utah. After serving in a series of roles with increasing responsibilities in Utah, he became Vice President and General Manager of Nucor-Yamato Steel Company before being promoted to Executive Vice President in 1999. In 2000, Dan was named President and CEO of Nucor, succeeding Dave Aycock (1999–2000) and John Correnti (1996–1999). He was elected Vice Chairman of the Board in 2001 and became Chairman in 2006. After serving as Nucor’s CEO for more than 12 years, longer than anyone since Ken Iverson, Dan served an additional year as Executive Chairman and retired in 2013.

1. Advocating for Domestic Manufacturing

After emerging as a national leader in the effort to restore strength and growth to American manufacturing, Dan wrote Steeling America’s Future. At that time, he led a series of town halls across the country to build awareness and encourage reform in international trade and in domestic areas such as regulation, the legal system and healthcare. The book advocates for restoring manufacturing to a central role in the U.S. economy.

In his second book, American Made: Why Making Things Will Return Us to Greatness, Dan counters the myths that the loss of jobs to China and other foreign markets is irreversible and that domestic manufacturing requires skills beyond the reach of the average worker. Dan also challenges politicians, academics and political pundits he believes amplify fears while avoiding practical solutions.

A frequent presence on political and business television, Dan became a prominent voice in the domestic steel industry, often called on to comment on manufacturing, trade and related issues.

2. A Small Gesture; A Big Message

Nucor teammates wear red on Fridays to Remember Everyone Deployed, honoring deployed service members, veterans and their families because no one serves alone.

Dan strongly supported RED Shirt Fridays. By wearing red each Friday and sharing its meaning wherever he went, he helped spread the tradition throughout Nucor, where it remains strong today.