Nucor Corporation, America’s largest steel producer and a Fortune 500 company, was led by John J. Ferriola as Chairman, President & CEO from 2013 to 2019. A veteran steelmaker with over 45 years in the industry, Ferriola began his career at Bethlehem Steel in 1974 before joining Nucor in 1991. Under his leadership, Nucor generated more than $140 billion in cumulative revenue and maintained its position as the largest steelmaker in the United States. Ferriola is a three-time recipient of the prestigious AIST Steelmaker of the Year award and served as Chairman of both the World Steel Association and the American Iron & Steel Institute (AISI). He retired at the end of 2019 at age 67.

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John Ferriola – Quick Facts

Nucor Corporation Competitors

Nucor Corporation operates in the highly competitive North American steel production industry. Under John Ferriola’s leadership, the company held its position as the largest steelmaker in the United States. Key competitors of Nucor include:

• Steel Dynamics (STLD) – Founded by Nucor alumni; a major electric arc furnace steelmaker
• United States Steel Corporation (X) – Iconic American integrated steel producer (now acquired by Nippon Steel)
• Cleveland-Cliffs (CLF) – Primary U.S. integrated producer focused on the automotive sector
• ArcelorMittal – World’s largest steelmaker by production volume
• POSCO (PKX) – South Korean steel giant and global competitor
• Commercial Metals Company (CMC) – Steel and metals manufacturer specializing in rebar
• Gerdau S.A. – Brazil-based long steel producer with major U.S. operations
• Ternium S.A. – Latin America’s leading flat steel producer

John Ferriola Net Worth 2026 – Nucor CEO Salary

As of 2026, John Ferriola’s net worth is estimated at approximately $75 million or more, based primarily on his significant Nucor stock holdings accumulated during nearly three decades at the company. According to SEC filings, Ferriola held substantial equity in Nucor, and his shares have appreciated considerably since his retirement, as Nucor’s stock price climbed from roughly $55 per share in late 2019 to well over $100 in subsequent years.

During his final full fiscal year as CEO (FY2018), Ferriola earned a total compensation package of approximately $15.5 million, a 28% increase over his FY2017 pay of $12.1 million. The surge was driven primarily by stock awards that more than doubled year-over-year.

Nucor CEO Compensation Breakdown (FY2018)

Nucor Net Worth 2026 – Is Nucor Profitable?

Yes, Nucor Corporation remains highly profitable and is the largest steelmaker in North America. Under current CEO Leon Topalian, who succeeded Ferriola in 2020, Nucor has continued to grow. The company trades on the NYSE under the ticker NUE with a market capitalization of approximately $42 billion as of early 2026.

Nucor Corporation Financial Summary

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Nucor CEO Email Address | John Ferriola Contact

Below are the contact details and social media profiles associated with former Nucor CEO John Ferriola. Note that as a retired executive, his corporate email may no longer be active.

Career & Education – Company, University, & College

John Ferriola’s career in the steel industry spanned over 45 years, beginning at Bethlehem Steel Corporation in 1974 and culminating with his seven-year tenure as Nucor’s Chairman and CEO. Below is his complete career timeline:

John Ferriola Career Timeline

John Ferriola began his steelmaking career at Bethlehem Steel Corporation in 1974, where he spent 17 years in various operating and management roles. In 1991, he joined Nucor Corporation at the company’s Jewett, Texas bar mill as Manager of Maintenance and Engineering. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming General Manager of the Grapeland, Texas joist division in 1995 and later Vice President and General Manager of the Norfolk, Nebraska bar mill.

From 1998 to 2001, Ferriola led the Crawfordsville, Indiana sheet mill as Vice President and General Manager. In January 2002, he was appointed Executive Vice President, and in September 2007 he was named Chief Operating Officer of Steelmaking Operations. He became President and COO in 2011 before being elected CEO in January 2013 and Chairman of the Board in January 2014.

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Since retiring from Nucor on December 31, 2019, Ferriola has remained active in the business world. In 2021, he joined the Board of Directors of Uniformity Labs, an additive manufacturing startup, as Chairman. He also serves as Chairman of Phillips Companies.

Education

John Ferriola Wiki – Age, Family, & More

Former Nucor CEO John James Ferriola (age approximately 73 as of 2026) was born around 1952–1953. He is an American businessman who resides in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. Ferriola is known for being a private individual who keeps his personal and family life separate from his professional career. He is married, though details about his wife and children are not publicly available.

Notable Achievements & Recognitions

• Three-Time Steelmaker of the Year – The only individual to receive AIST’s Steelmaker of the Year award three times (2009, 2016, and 2020, the last awarded in retirement)
• Gary Memorial Medal (2017) – Honored by the American Iron and Steel Institute with their most prestigious award
• Chairman, World Steel Association (2016–2017) – Led the global trade body representing approximately 85% of world steel production
• Chairman, American Iron & Steel Institute (AISI) – Chaired the leading North American steel industry trade association
• American Manufacturing Council (2017) – Joined the council advising U.S. President Trump on domestic manufacturing initiatives
• $140 Billion+ Revenue Legacy – Nucor generated over $140 billion in cumulative revenue during Ferriola’s seven-year CEO tenure

Ferriola was widely respected for his hands-on leadership style and deep knowledge of steelmaking operations, having worked his way up from the plant floor to the executive suite over nearly three decades at Nucor.

About Nucor Corporation

Nucor Corporation is an American steel and steel products manufacturer headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. Founded in 1940 (originally as the Nuclear Corporation of America), Nucor is the largest steel producer in the United States and the largest recycler of any material in North America. The company pioneered the mini-mill steelmaking model using electric arc furnaces (EAFs) to melt recycled scrap steel.

Nucor operates three business segments: steel mills (sheet, bar, structural, and plate steel), steel products (joists, deck, rebar, fasteners, and cold-finished products), and raw materials (direct reduced iron and scrap brokerage). The company trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol NUE and is a Fortune 500 company with sector-leading investment-grade credit ratings (A-/A-/Baa1).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who is the current CEO of Nucor Corporation?

The current Chairman, President & CEO of Nucor Corporation is Leon J. Topalian, who assumed the role of President and CEO on January 1, 2020, succeeding the retiring John J. Ferriola. Topalian has served as Chairman of the Board since 2022. He is a nearly 30-year Nucor veteran.

What is John Ferriola’s net worth in 2026?

As of 2026, John Ferriola’s net worth is estimated at approximately $75 million or more, based primarily on his significant Nucor Corporation stock holdings accumulated over nearly 29 years at the company. His shares have appreciated substantially since his 2019 retirement as Nucor’s stock price has more than doubled.

What was Nucor CEO John Ferriola’s salary?

In his final full fiscal year as CEO (FY2018), John Ferriola received total compensation of approximately $15.5 million, including a $1.4 million base salary, $7.1 million in stock awards, $5.3 million in non-equity incentive compensation, and $1.8 million in option awards. Over 91% of his pay was performance-based.

What is John Ferriola’s email address?

John Ferriola’s former corporate email address was [email protected]. As he retired from Nucor in December 2019, this email may no longer be active. He maintains a LinkedIn profile. For current Nucor inquiries, contact CEO Leon Topalian at [email protected].

When did John Ferriola retire from Nucor?

John Ferriola retired as Chairman and CEO of Nucor Corporation on December 31, 2019, at age 67. The retirement announcement was made in September 2019. Leon J. Topalian was elected President and COO effective September 2019 and became CEO on January 1, 2020. Since retiring, Ferriola has served as Chairman of Phillips Companies and on the Board of Uniformity Labs.

Is Nucor Corporation a profitable company?

Yes, Nucor Corporation is highly profitable. For full year 2025, the company reported adjusted net earnings of approximately $1.8 billion on net sales of roughly $31.9 billion. Nucor holds the strongest credit ratings in the North American steel sector (A-/A-/Baa1) and returned approximately $1.2 billion to stockholders in 2025 through dividends and share repurchases.

Article last updated:January 2026March 2, 2026