Jack Stutz, executive vice president and chief operating officer (COO) of Orange, California-based SA Recycling, is retiring in January 2018. The steel and ferrous scrap industry veteran began his career in the 1960s with the former Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel company.
Stutz, who graduated in 1963 from Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, worked initially for Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel before accepting a position in the 1970s with the former Marathon Steel in Phoenix, Arizona. After Marathon closed in 1985, Stutz joined the former Birmingham Steel Corp., and helped move some equipment from the former Marathon plant to Birmingham’s facility in Kankakee, Illinois.
His next stint was with the former Armco Steel in Kansas City, Missouri, where he was part of a management team that completed a buyout of that company and renamed it GST Steel.

In 1997, Stutz became president of Tamco Steel in Rancho Cucamonga, California, running operations there until his retirement in 2009. In 2010, SA Recycling CEO George Adams lured Stutz out of retirement to become executive vice president and COO of SA Recycling. At SA Recycling, Stutz oversaw operations and helped steer the company through several major acquisitions, including that of Georgia-based Newell Recycling LLC in 2014, according to an SA Recycling press release.
“Jack is one of a kind; a class act,” says Adams. “He is a wealth of knowledge and experience. He has been instrumental in the growth and success of SA Recycling over these last eight years. More importantly, he has been a true friend and mentor to me and my family. For that I am truly grateful and appreciative. He will truly be missed.”
In his career, Stutz had the opportunity to work at steel mills that incorporated four different steelmaking furnace processes: Bessemer, open hearth, basic oxygen and electric arc. In retirement, he plans to spend more time with his wife, daughter and two grandchildren, as well taking more time to golf and attend sporting events.
Get curated news on YOUR industry.
Enter your email to receive our newsletters.
Latest from Recycling Today
- BIR World Recycling Convention 2025: Global shredder count crosses 1,200
- WasteExpo 2025: The opportunities and challenges of integrating AI in the waste industry
- BIR World Recycling Convention 2025: Paper industry looks to strengthen international standards
- Regulatory challenges discussed at Okplast seminar
- AeroFlexx packaging receives APR recognition
- BIR World Recycling Convention 2025: Young Traders Group calls young professionals to action
- Tomra unveils automated collection point for reusable takeaway food packaging
- Ameripen’s annual Summit to focus on packaging policy, EPR