In 1994, Peter Elliott, Vice President of Eichleay Corporation (a $250 million Design/Construct firm) was asked to direct the company’s key contract, providing the complete engineering and management to construct a Greenfield melt shop for British Steel in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Here are related testimonies extracted from the attached letters from the British Steel and Eichleay team members, attesting to Mr. Elliott’s contribution to British Steel’s team:

Hugh Brown, British Steel Chief Engineer & Deputy Project Director: “It has been to my professional satisfaction, and to my personal delight, to have known and worked with Peter M. Elliott… Eichleay Corporation was selected … in no small part due to the very favorable impression made by their senior representative, Construction Vice President, Peter Elliott… Throughout the project, … I had daily contact with Peter Elliott and witnessed his professional conduct in design, procurement, planning, control, construction and commissioning. His technical skills, enthusiasm, dedication, and integrity were a source of inspiration to all who worked with him and for him…. The success of our Project was contributed to in large measure by the prodigious efforts of Peter Elliott… I have no hesitation in strongly recommending him to anyone … requiring that rare combination of skills and dedication which he has to offer in such full measure.”

Roy Knights, Melt Shop Director, British Steel: “The new facility was operating 23 months from approval by the British Steel Board; started up early … It was a very successful project for British Steel… I will quote from the official project review for the Tuscaloosa Steel project: “Without question, the driving force within the Eichleay team was Peter Elliott and without him the plant would have not started on time.”

“… the British Steel project team insisted that … Peter Elliott should be General Manager responsible for the full engineering and site management of the project. As such, he attended the Steering Committee, the mechanism to direct the overall project.”

“Peter is a dynamic engineer who understands the theory of project management and applies it but, just as important, he has “can do” attitude, is flexible and operated a “hands on approach”…. Peter and his family became good friends… Energy, commitment and enthusiasm are his major strengths…

“… it was Peter’s approach to safety on site that contributed to an excellent safety performance ... I feel proud to offer references for Peter and find it difficult to cover all his qualities in writing. Peter is honest, professional and very experienced and would be an asset to any project team. If you want it built on time – he’s the expert.”

Peter Duncan, British Steel Purchasing Manager – Capital and Services: “Mr. Elliott was requested by British Steel … Our faith in Peter’s abilities was not misplaced…. we were able to achieve a world record, starting our new twin shell DC arc furnace, ladle metallurgy furnace, Concast machine and equalizing furnace two months earlier than planned… Much of the credit for this lies in Peter’s hard won project management expertise as well as his extraordinary motivational and organizational skills. He was able to make the … partnership approach a winning reality on our project. All of this was achieved within our strict safety policies … We were able to complete the project with no major injuries and achieved lost time and recordable accident statistics well below the average for this work.”

Rick Stewart, CPA, Nucor Steel: “I have worked with some of the best and brightest in the business world, including board chairmen, and company and division presidents. In all honesty, and without exaggeration, I would place Peter Elliott at the top of that group. None could match his intelligence, and his skills in management, organization, and motivation…

“I worked closely with Peter on issues concerning cost control, and observed him in action during project steering committee meetings with upper management. Peter was the key to the fact that the $150m steel making plant was commissioned on time

“In addition to Peter’s outstanding skills as an engineer and construction site manager, Peter’s people skills set him apart from the rest. In one on one meetings and discussions, Peter always made time for me and treated me as if I was the most important person on the site,

“Peter always treated me with the utmost respect. … His style epitomizes the finest in client customer service. His sense of humor often dissipated tense situations. Peter sets a very hard working example, and motivates and inspires action in those that he works with. And last but not least, Peter is a man of great personal integrity and honesty.

Paul Waterhouse, British Steel Managing Director: “Throughout the project, Peter Elliott was a member of my Project Team and led the Engineering, Procurement and Construction management activities on site. I have always found Peter to be an extremely competent engineer and manager, totally dedicated to achieving his client’s objectives. My experiences of Peter Elliott are that he is trustworthy, a man of principle who honors his commitments and he strives to meet his client’s goals tirelessly.”

Scott Gaddy, Tuscaloosa Steel Purchasing: “Mr. Elliott was the Vice President of Eichleay Corporation and in charge of the project… I worked closely with Mr. Elliott, on a day to day basis… based on this knowledge of Mr. Elliott’s capabilities … I recommended Mr. Elliott to our C.E.O., Dr. Ulrich Albrecht-Frueh.”

Simon Walker, British Steel Engineer: “I felt I had to put to paper to let you know how much you have helped me over the past year or so –professionally and personally … My goal is to be half the man you are. It has been an absolute honor to work with you. I have never met an individual with such a capacity to overcome obstacles in pursuit of success, a person with such enthusiasm and drive. It was difficult for anyone you came into contact with not to be inspired by you. I have no doubt that you are the single most influential factor in the success of this project.

David Rihel, Eichleay Project Planner/Scheduler/Cost Controller: “My experience on the Tuscaloosa Steel Project has been rewarding on many levels … from learning new methods to dealing with customers. A lot of this is due to your leadership. You are the best manager I have worked with in my professional career. Your drive, intensity, attention to detail and commitment are unmatched.”

Bob Kertis, Eichleay Area Construction Manager: “Objectively speaking, you were the one person that made this project a success, not only for British Steel, but also for the Eichleay Companies… I felt you were the drive that made up for the three months on the construction schedule, even though many people in the company thought it was unachievable.”

Rick Femovich, Eichleay Area Construction Manager: EAF/LMF: “Your total dedication to safety and to bringing the job in ahead of schedule was an inspiration to everyone. I feel honored to have had the opportunity to work with someone who has the expertise, and the insight into making a project run so efficiently. Your never ending energy and great leadership qualities were the catalyst that made this project a huge success for the Eichleay Corporation. I just want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to demonstrate my skills and for providing me with encouragement when needed… making my time at Tuscaloosa Steel a rewarding experience.

Ken Cywinski, Eichleay Area Construction Manager: Reheat Furnace: “Thank you for the chance to be on the best “team” project I’ve ever been on and probably ever will be on… Your great ability to bring a group of people together from all over the country with different backgrounds and different ideas and form a team that worked together, helped each other and had a true commitment to a common goal is the sole reason the project was a success. I miss our project and our team, but it is your leadership and management skills that I miss the most…An experience that will help me through the rest of my life. Your dedication to the project was only over-shadowed by your dedication to the people that work for you.”

In 1999, Peter Elliott was assigned to lead the Greenfield installation and commissioning of a hot strip mill for IPSCO (now SSAB) in Axis, Alabama. Here is an excerpt from the attached letter, describing Mr. Elliott’s responsibilities.

Stephen Palko, IPSCO Director of Project Construction: “There are many Ansaldo, Danieli, ProSoft, IPSCO, Kvaerner and contractor employees who are working very hard to … start-up the equipment in (the Rolling Mill and Plate Finish areas). Leading this army is Peter Elliott, who is coordinating all activities to insure that important items are completed, in the sequence required, to meet our target schedule. With respect to this, Peter is acting as an Agent for IPSCO and I will give Peter my full support in this matter…. Peter … has built a very detailed schedule which is being followed. The activities are being reviewed daily, in morning and evening meetings, to insure that we are all moving in the proper direction.