Black Diamond Capital Management taps Robert Simon as CEO of Bayou Steel Group

GREENWICH, Conn., May 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Black Diamond Capital Management, L.L.C. ("Black Diamond") announced today that Robert ("Rob") Simon will take the helm as CEO of the newly formed Bayou Steel Group, a steelmaking and finishing operation that produces and sells long carbon steel products in North America.  Mr. Simon, a seasoned industry leader, has an established track record of improving and managing businesses throughout the steel industry.

"I'm honored to lead this team of dedicated professionals," said Simon.  "We plan to create a culture that will nurture a world class workforce to deliver operational and commercial excellence. This, combined with our unwavering commitment to our customers, will set us apart from our competition and will ultimately drive our business growth."

Mr. Simon joins the team with over 25 years of hands-on operating experience within the steel industry, most recently leading the Structural & Rail division of Steel Dynamics, Inc.  Mr. Simon also served as Group Executive Vice President for EVRAZ North America, where he was responsible for turning around fledgling operations and implementing best-practices into newly acquired business units.

"We're extremely excited to have Rob lead the newly independent Bayou Steel Group," shared Stephen H. Deckoff, Founder and Managing Principal of Black Diamond. "We are confident that his leadership, customer-centric approach and operational discipline will help the Company grow its customer base, improve efficiency, boost morale and drive profitability."

Alton Davis and Jim Howe are joining the team as President/COO and VP of Sales, respectively.  Mr. Davis, an industry veteran with over 40 years in the North American steel business, recently served as COO of ArcelorMittal's long carbon division.  He is a familiar face at Bayou Steel, having enjoyed several stints including General Manager and VP of Operations at Bayou's LaPlace plant.  Mr. Howe, also a 40-year industry veteran, returns to LaPlace after leading the sales organization there from 2003 to 2008 during which he and his team were successful in growing sales and service with a wide range of customers in 49 states, Canada and Mexico.

About Black Diamond
Black Diamond is a leading alternative asset management firm that oversees approximately $7.5 billion in assets. Black Diamond is currently pursuing control distressed/private equity investments for its fourth private equity fund. Black Diamond's control distressed/private equity funds focus on middle market companies with market leadership positions within their sectors. Founded in 1995, Black Diamond employs investment professionals across offices in Greenwich, CT, Lake Forest, IL, London, England and St. Thomas, USVI.

About Bayou Steel Group
Bayou Steel Group is an independent company that produces long carbon steel products in North America.  The Company, headquartered in LaPlace, LA, has additional operations in Vinton, TX and Harriman, TN as well as three finished inventory depots in Tulsa, Chicago and Pittsburgh.  Bayou Steel Group manufactures a broad range of merchant bar shapes, including equal and unequal leg angles, flats, rounds, squares and channels, as well as standard and wide-flange beams.  The company also specializes in rebar production for the commercial and industrial construction industry and grinding balls for the mining industry.

SOURCE Black Diamond Capital Management, L.L.C.