HOUSTON (July 8, 2013) – Mobil SteelInternational, Inc.’s senior vice president, Richard Friel, a successful executive in steel production and steel fabrication industries in Illinois and Texas, passed away Sunday, July 7th, surrounded by family. Friel, who was 76 years old, had been on medical leave from Mobil Steel for the past several months
Friel achieved an outstanding track record of facility, project and capital improvement management in
the steel industry. He used his steel industry knowledge and contacts to help Mobil Steel build a quality-certified steel fabrication operation with capacity to handle more than 1,000 tons of steel per month at its 80,000 square foot Houston facility. Friel also was noted for team building skills and mentoring of employees in the industry. He had been an active member of the Associated Builders and Contractors and American Institute of Steel Construction.
Friel started his management career with Northwestern Steel and Wire Co. at a structural mill in Sterling, Illinois in 1968. During his 26-year management career with Northwestern, Friel was promoted to various assignments in which he was responsible for all aspects of steel operations and supervised hundreds of employees. Friel moved to Houston with Northwestern in 1990 as the company liaison to work with an international construction and engineering firm on a $60 million project to refurbish and restart the Armco mill.
Friel took early retirement in 1994 and joined Mobil Steel Corporation in 1995 as plant manager and shipping and logistics manager. Following management changes, Friel continued with Mobil Steel International, Inc. as senior vice president.
“Our hearts are very heavy at Mobil Steel today over this loss of a great friend, mentor and senior executive of our company,” said Leonard A. Bedell, president and CEO of Mobil Steel International, Inc. “Richard’s amazing knack for our industry, his many contacts and his passion for steel fabrication improved our company. While we will miss Richard – especially the spark in his eyes and his ever-constant smile – we are very thankful for and strengthened by how Richard mentored our employees and the impressive legacy he leaves at Mobil Steel and in the steel industry.”
Friel is survived by his wife Dianne Gunderson Friel, two daughters, a son, and five grandchildren. Richard also is survived by his step-mother, three sisters, a brother-in-law and many nieces and nephews.
About Mobil Steel International, Inc.
Mobil Steel International, Inc. fabricates steel used in some of the world’s essential industries: chemical, manufacturing, petroleum, communication, clean fuels, and power utilities, as well as commercial construction. Mobil Steel, which has been at its South Wayside Drive facility in Houston for 43 years, has a production capacity of more than 1,000 tons per month in its 80,000 square feet of plant and office facilities under roof, providing flexibility to manage multiple projects. The 8.5-acre site is located within major freeway access to the refining and petrochemical complex in the Gulf Coast region. Mobil Steel is quality certified by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC). Mobil Steel is active in Associated Builders and Contractors, Associated General Contractors and is a sponsoring member of Economic Alliance Houston Port Region and a member of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce. For information about Mobil Steel visit www.mobilsteel.com.