Our Team
Meet the dedicated professionals behind SMD
Team
MEET OUR TEAM MEMBERS
Sukhi Kohli
Sukhi has 20 years of experience in the North American steel industry having worked for world-class steel mills, mainly on the commercial side before starting SMD Steel with his friends and business partners. With a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from I.I.T, Chicago, the penchant for technical comes naturally to him. In these two decades, Sukhi has gained tremendous hands-on knowledge on multiple steel products from plates, sheets, pipes, beams, and structural. His problem-solving aptitude along with a passion to take care of customers are his biggest strengths, which have forged strong relationships for him in the industry.
Will Jones
Will is a veteran in the steel industry, with over 30 years of operational excellence in North American steel mills prior to starting SMD Steel with his friends and business partners. He has worked through various departments in his impressive career, from operations, logistics and transportation, and shipping, and understands steel making at its core. An extremely knowledgeable and humble professional, who has always put customers’ interests first. He always took time from his busy schedule to visit customers to understand their needs and took feedback, if any, for his team to improve upon and service customers right.
Matt Gilbert
Matt is a US military veteran, serving in the Marines, and the technical brainpower behind SMD Steel. A metallurgist by education, Matt has spearheaded process controls and quality improvements at steel mills prior to joining as Operations Manager at SMD Steel. An extremely methodical, analytics-driven individual with extensive knowledge of the steel grades and chemistry. He has substantial experience in the metal processing business and has been a critical member of our team in developing the processes from the ground up. Matt has a natural flair for dealing with customers and strives to deliver a high-quality product for complete customer satisfaction.
Michelle Etzel
Michelle joins the SMD Steel team with 30 years of experience in the North American steel industry working for distinguished international steel mills. She is a passionate and dynamic team player who is dedicated to providing exceptional customer experiences and building upon strong business relationships. She has a proven track record of implementing efficient systems and managing diverse tasks to support organizational objectives. With experience in sales, inventory control, logistics, steel importation, and office & account management, she brings a full range of knowledge to our team.
Chris Fulton
Chris Fulton joins the SMD team as Office Administrator, bringing a strong foundation in organizational support and day-to-day operations. A collaborative and proactive team member, Chris is dedicated to delivering exceptional service while maintaining efficient and well-organized systems that support SMD’s ongoing success. With a strong emphasis on accuracy, clear communication, and operational efficiency, Chris plays an integral role in ensuring seamless office functions and fostering a positive, productive work environment.
Drake Ridgeway
Drake Ridgeway brings more than two decades of expertise in the transmission utility market, backed by a proven track record of leadership and operational excellence. Before joining SMD Steel in 2024, he held multiple senior roles at Arcosa Meyer, where he built a reputation for deep product knowledge and strong production oversight. Since stepping into his role at SMD, Drake has been a driving force behind the growth of the Structures & Utilities division. His strategic direction and hands‑on experience have helped position SMD as a trusted supplier of utility arms—recognized for consistent on‑time delivery, exceptional quality, and unwavering reliability.
Harish Kaushik
Harish holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Memphis and brings deep expertise in mechanical engineering, quality control, and product development, supported by over seven years of experience in process–microstructure–property relationships and alloy development. With a strong foundation in critical thinking and technical problem-solving, his career reflects a balanced blend of academia and industry through extensive collaboration with leading scientists, professors, and industrial professionals. His robust technical background enables him to tackle complex engineering challenges with innovation and precision, while his proven ability to work effectively in dynamic, multidisciplinary teams highlight his collaborative mindset and strengths as a committed team player
Sriharsha Ummedisetti
Harsha brings a unique blend of technical expertise and competitive drive to his role as a Process Engineer at SMD Steel. With a Master’s degree in Engineering Management, he focuses on one thing: making things work better. Whether it is streamlining a production process or solving complex operational challenges , Harsha’s goal is to ensure SMD Steel delivers nothing but the best to its customers. His approach to engineering is shaped by his time as a national-level tennis player—a background that instilled in him the discipline, resilience, and "win-the-point" mentality he now applies to operational excellence.