Lonnie Schafer always knew he wanted to serve his community. Realizing the huge role the steel industry played in his hometown, a career in steel seemed like a perfect fit. Today, Lonnie is a maintenance technician in the mechanical arena at Lorain Tubular Operations, U. S. Steel. He is responsible for overseeing hundreds of machines and machine parts throughout the mill. Also, Lonnie is tasked with ensuring that the mill runs 24 hours a day. Growing up, Lonnie was fascinated by the idea of building things out of steel. He saw how steel provided many people with jobs, including several in his family. “As a child, I remember looking up to the folks who worked in the plants at Lorain Tubular,” recalls Lonnie. After graduating, Lonnie enlisted in the U.S. Marines Corps. While serving his country, Lonnie worked as an engineer. In 1996, Lonnie returned home to Lorain, Ohio, to begin the next chapter of his life. The skills he acquired in the military were a natural fit for his new career in steel. In addition to being a maintenance technician, Lonnie continues his commitment to helping others by serving as an instructor for Lorain Tubular. In this capacity, Lonnie is responsible for designing and implementing an apprenticeship program to mentor the next generation of maintenance technicians. Lonnie believes there are plenty of opportunities for growth in the steel industry. He is optimistic about the future and is confident that tubular piping will always be in high demand for industries such as oil and construction. He encourages individuals interested in the steel industry to obtain as much vocational or college education as possible, so that they can “hit the ground running.” One moment sums up how the steel industry has impacted Lonnie’s life. For several years, Lonnie apprenticed as a maintenance technician. Eventually, his mentor, who held the same position for over 20 years, gave him the key ring to the entire plant. This “passing of the torch” put Lonnie in charge of every mechanical aspect of the plant. As Lonnie works with the next generation of steelworkers, he looks forward to the day when he will pass on the torch. | 
