Management Team

Mr. Catterlin has worked with Optima (previously Oxbow) since 2007 and is part of the management team that purchased Optima in 2013. He has spent over 40 years in the steel industry, focusing on manufacturing, trading, and distribution. Dave has held a variety of operating, sales, marketing, and general management positions, including time as President of Pinole Point Steel and Vice President, Commercial for California Steel Industries.  He gained his initial steel industry experience at Kaiser Steel. Dave earned a B.A. in Economics from Stanford University and a M.B.A. in Finance & Marketing from UCLA.

Mr. Acton has over 40 years of experience in mining, raw materials, logistics, and management. After working with Kaiser Resources in Vancouver, BC Brian joined Oxbow Carbon and Minerals in 1985, where he became the President and COO in 1998 until he left the company in 2010. Brian is part of the management team that purchased Optima Steel in 2013, and is a Managing Partner. Brian also serves as the President of Pac Basin Resources and Sierra Minerals, and is currently on the board of GrafTech International. Brian has a B.S.C. (Mining Engineering) and M.B.A. from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario.

Mr. Black has over 44 years of experience in the steel, carbon, and raw materials industries. After leaving Oxbow Carbon & Minerals in 2012, where he was Executive Vice President, Larry joined the management team that purchased Optima in 2013. His past experiences from Oxbow, Kaiser Steel, and Pacific Basin Coal & Carbon includes trading steel, coal, petroleum and metallurgical cokes, and gypsum. Larry has a B.S.C. degree in Business Administration from Santa Clara University.

Mr. Saca has over 40 years of steel industry experience. He joined Oxbow Carbon & Minerals in 1997, established Oxbow Steel International in 2006, and is part of the management team that purchased Optima (then Oxbow) in 2013. Prior to joining Oxbow, he spent 17 years with Pinole Point Steel, a California-based manufacturer of galvanized steel and pre-painted products, where he held a number of senior sales and management positions, and was Vice President, Commercial when he left to join Oxbow. Ron started his career in the steel industry at Kaiser Steel. Ron received a B.S. in Business Administration from California State University, Chico and has attended executive management programs at Harvard University and Stanford University. Ron retired as President & CEO of Optima in 2019 but remains a managing partner of Optima Steel Holdings.

Mr. Weger joined Optima in February 2023. John has 42 years of experience in the financial arena beginning in public accounting and then moving into private industry. He received his Bachelor of Accountancy from the University of Oklahoma, MBA from Southern Methodist University, and is a CPA. John enjoys family activities including golf, fishing, boating and SCUBA diving.

Mr. Gable joined Optima in July of 2016. Since 1993, he has been actively importing and distributing light gauge bare and coated flat-rolled steel products into residential HVAC and construction applications. Michael has built relationships with foreign suppliers and domestic customers, with particular emphasis in Taiwan, India, UAE, China, and Vietnam. Michael received a B.A. in Economics from the University of Michigan.

Mr. Linton joined Optima (then Oxbow) in December 2007 as General Manager and was promoted to Vice President, General Manager in 2016. In 1987, Willy started in the metal component industry and ever since has spent his career in the metals industry. Some of his previous positions include president of Anderson Steel as well as multiple positions within the flatbed industry. Willy enjoys fishing, classic cars, and autocross.

Mr. Talbot joined Optima (then Oxbow) in 2000 and has accumulated more than 30 years of steel industry experience, commencing when he was hired by Kaiser Steel as a management intern. He subsequently held a variety of sales and executive positions throughout his tenure at Kaiser. Paul also played an instrumental role in the start-up of California Steel Industries in 1984, and served in a variety of executive sales and marketing positions, including General Manager of Tubular and General Manager of Galvanized Products, until joining Oxbow. Paul received a B.S. in Economics from Stanford University and has attended executive management programs at UCLA and Claremont College.

Mr. Campese joined Optima (then Oxbow) in November of 2009. With over 20 years in the flat rolled steel industry, he brings extensive knowledge of pre-painted products and “Just in Time” inventory management programs mainly servicing the metal construction industry. Chris is a graduate of Geneva College, where he received a B.S. in Business Administration and lettered all four years in football, eventually serving as team captain.

Ms. Simeus joined Optima in June 2014 as the Senior Accountant and works in the FL office. In August 2018 she was promoted to Accounting Manager and in September 2022 was promoted to Manager – Treasury & Tax. Sandra received her B.S. in Accounting from the University of South Florida. She is a voracious reader and, when not reading, enjoys crafting.

Mrs. Ward joined Optima (then Oxbow) in November 2010. She began her career as an Account Administrator and was promoted to Claims Manager in 2015. In 2018 she was promoted to Manager of Account Administration and in 2023 was promoted to her current position.

Ms. Saca joined Optima in March 2017 in the California office. Throughout her time at Optima she has been promoted from Claims Assistant to, in 2019, the Marketing Support & Development Manager, and in 2023 to the her current position. Allyson received her B.A from Whittier College and went on to earn a M.A. in Museum Professions from Seton Hall University. In her free time, Allyson enjoys golfing and visiting museums.

Mrs. Meadows joined Optima in September 2016. She began her career at Optima as an Account Administrator and was promoted to Claims Manager in 2019. Amy joined the Association of Women in the Metal Industries in 2019 and became a Board Member for the Pittsburgh Chapter in 2020. Amy attended Saint Francis University and went on to earn a M.A from Appalachian State University. In her free time, Amy enjoys raising her twin boys with her husband and watching many soccer games, track and field events, and cross-country races.

Mrs. Ridgley joined Optima (then Oxbow) in January 2011. She began her career as an Account Administrator and in 2018 was promoted to Senior Account Administrator. In 2023 Sheri was promoted to Manager of Account Administration in the Pennsylvania & California offices. She is a member of the Association of Women in the Metal Industries and in her free time Sheri enjoys spending time with her family.