Meet the Team
Fe Trading Group’s true strength lies in the mettle of its team.
We are dedicated to exceeding customer expectations, and staying at the forefront of industry best practices. We also pride ourselves on building and maintaining professional relationships based on honesty, integrity and service. Our lines are open for questions and feedback.
With over 100 years of combined experience in the industry, our team believes that reliable, trustworthy relationships make this business work. WE dedicate ourselves to working to solve your business challenges.
Robert Kelman, Co-Founder, CEO
201-725-2987
rkelman@fetradinggroup.com
Robert “Bob” Kelman is the cofounder and CEO of FE Trading Group. Bob has worked in the scrap metal recycling industry for over 35 years, and founded FTG in May of 2017. Throughout Bob’s career he has worked in every aspect of the business. Immediately out of college he started in operations, soon moved into commercial, and then transitioned through management positions, from Superintendent to President and COO. Bob’s has a reputation for being a thoughtful problem solver, tough but fair, and has a record of success in all of his endeavors.
Prior to FTG Bob lived in London where he worked as Managing Director of the Sims MM European Scrap business. It was in this role that Bob gained a valuable global perspective on the Scrap Metal business. Prior to London, Bob was based in NY where he was Sims MM President of North America Metals. As President, Bob was the chief architect and manager of the Company’s long-term contract with New York City to recycle curbside post-consumer metals, plastic and glass – returning curbside recycling to NYC. He was the key executive responsible for integrating the Sims and Metal Management executive leadership teams in 2008/2009 while navigating the aftermath of the global financial crisis. Prior to the 2005 merger of Hugo Neu Corporation and Sims Group, Bob was Senior Vice President and General Manager of Hugo Neu Schnitzer East. After Sept 11, 2001 Bob worked directly with the City of New York to safely process and recycle over 286,000 tons of steel and metal recovered from Ground Zero.
Bob is a graduate of SUNY Maritime College, where he attained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture.
Bob has received a number of recognition awards and strong endorsements for his commitment to sustainable development and protection of the environment from the NY League of Conservation Voters and The Natural Resource Defense Council.
Nanci Schuld, Co-Founder, President
312-330-5660
nschuld@fetradinggroup.com
Nanci Schuld co-founded Fe Trading in 2017 after several years in the metal recycling industry. In 1995 Nanci started in non ferrous recycling after several years at the Chicago Board Of Trade in soybean options and futures. Metal Management bought the non ferrous company and Nanci transitioned to the ferrous side of the business. Started and developed the national account business for Metal Management and then Sims MetaL Management after Sims acquired Metal Management. When Sims Started North American Trade it was a natural transition for Nanci to start trading the recycled steel for SMM and many other metal processors and recyclers. During this time Nanci started working with Lynn Baldwin who not only had been in the recycling business for several years, but also had experience in almost every important role from beginning to end of every transaction. Nanci quickly realized that Lynn would be an integral part to starting her new trading business. In 2012 Nanci left Sims to start Fe Xchange, a new independent trading company. In 2017 Nanci started Fe Trading with Bob Kelman to offer an alternative solution to the many scrap recyclers and processors in North America. Nanci is responsible for the strategic, operational and commercial development of the trading and clearinghouse business.
Nanci earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Arizona State University in 1988.
Michael Bloss, CFO
917-414-8321
mbloss@fetradinggroup.com
Mike has been in various financial and project management roles in the recycling industry for over a decade. Prior to joining Fe Trading Group he worked at Sims Limited and was a management consultant at Deloitte. He holds an MBA in Finance from Columbia University and a BA in International Relations from Carleton College. He enjoys travelling with his wife and two kids and playing tennis whenever he can.
Boyd Thomas, Trader
216-509-3377
bthomas@fetradinggroup.com
Boyd has over 30 years of experience in the scrap industry. Before joining FE Trading Group he worked for a family owned recycling company which was acquired by Metal Management and later merged with Sims Limited. He graduated from The University of Toledo where he earned a BBA in Marketing degree. Boyd enjoys spending time with his two children, visiting his family, cooking, golfing, and is particularly fond of walks with his dog.
Michelle Rees, Trader
219-508-7468
mrees@fetradinggroup.com
Michelle has been in the scrap industry for 14 years. She has experience in brokerage, purchasing, ISO/Quality and freight. She began her career with an international trading and mill services company, with a primary focus on the Midwest ferrous trade. Michelle has expanded her area of expertise to include trades domestically coast to coast and internationally. Michelle majored in psychology with a minor in sociology from Ball State University where she was a student athlete. She is passionate about her faith, family, career, health and fitness.
Ian Templeton, Trader
513-709-3961
itempleton@fetradinggroup.com
Ian joined Fe Trading in 2021 bringing nearly a decade of trading and brokerage experience with him. Ian began his career in 2012 with the David J. Joseph Company (a Nucor company) joining their ferrous trading group. He spent time in both the Chicago and Alabama markets sourcing raw materials for Nucor Steel and trading with numerous other major domestic consumers. Ian is a graduate of Indiana University Kelley School of Business in Bloomington, Indiana and earned a bachelor’s degree in Finance with a minor in Economics. In his spare time, Ian enjoys golfing, investing, and spending time with family.
Thad Smith, General Manager
440-897-2220
tsmith@fetradinggroup.com
Thad has been in various roles in the scrap industry in the past 20 years before joining the Fe Trading group as an Operations Manager in 2020. Prior to joining the team he worked for Scrap Metal Services where he focused on commercial recycling and mill services. He is a double major from The Ohio State University in Criminology and Sociology. In his free time he enjoys fishing, hunting and spending time with his family.
Natalie Canham, Logistics Director
419-515-8945
ncanham@fetradinggroup.com
Natalie has been in the rail industry for 10 years in various logistics and rail procurement roles. Prior to joining Fe Trading Group in January 2023, she worked for Primient where she was the Rail Procurement Specialist in Decatur, IL. She earned her MBA in Business Management from Millikin University and BS in Marketing from Millikin, as well. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and friends.
Have any questions or ready to get started?
We’re ready to earn your trust . If you have any questions about our services and systems, please let us know. We’ll have answers and value-added solutions to your clearinghouse needs.
