The ReMA Gulf Coast Region (GCR) will recognize Mike Ronnel, co-owner of Metal Recycling Corporation (Little Rock, Ark.), with the 2024 Israel Proler Award on Thursday, June 27, at the GCR summer convention in Austin, Texas. The award recognizes individuals for their outstanding leadership, achievements, and contributions to the recycled materials industry.
Mike Ronnel, 2024 Israel Proler Award Recipient
Mike’s career has spanned almost four decades, beginning in 1989 when he joined the family recycling business after receiving his BBA and MBA degrees in finance from the University of Texas at Austin.
Since joining Metal Recycling Corporation, Mike has overseen the growth and expansion of the company along with his brother and co-owner, Steve Ronnel. Their family business encompasses two metal commodity trading companies based in Little Rock, Arkansas — Metal Recycling Corporation and Metal Trading Corporation — and three metal recycling facilities in Arkansas — Metro Scrap Metals in North Little Rock, Thompson Recycling Company in Searcy, and Alman Recycling Company in Little Rock.
Mike attributes the growth and success of Metal Recycling Corporation to the solid financial foundation laid by his father, Lee Ronnel, in the early years of the company and to the dedication and loyalty of his managers and teammates, many of whom have been with the company for decades and whom he considers extended members of the Ronnel family.
Mike has given back to the recycled materials industry by serving the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) — recently rebranded as the Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) — as president of the Gulf Coast Chapter from 2001 to 2003 in addition to serving on the Gulf Coast executive committee from 1997 to 2003 and its board of directors from 1993 to 2003. Mike also has served on the ISRI national board of directors and as a member of numerous ISRI committees and councils over the years.
Mike generously supports his local community in Arkansas with a special focus on supporting Jewish causes, including the Jewish Federation of Arkansas and Temple B’Nai Israel.
Mike is married to Stacey Stern Ronnel. They are both avid golfers and enjoy traveling the world together, especially with their seven nieces and nephews. Mike is proud to follow in the footsteps of his father, Lee, who received the Israel Proler award in 2009.
**The Proler Award is named in memory of Israel Proler of Proler International Corp. (Houston), who served as Gulf Coast Chapter President of the Institute of Scrap Iron and Steel (an ISRI predecessor) from 1955-1956. Among his professional achievements, “Izzie” Proler helped develop the forerunner of today’s modern automobile shredder along with his brothers Sam, Jackie, and Herman “Hymie” Proler.***
For more information or to request a photo of Mike Ronnel, contact Kent Kiser, GCR communications consultant, at remagulfcoastregion@gmail.com.
