Employee Referral Program: Real Stories, Real Impact

What started as a recommendation from one family member set off a chain of opportunities, growing into a three-generation story through Olympic Steel.

As Olympic Steel has grown over the years, so has our team. Many employees have helped drive that growth by referring people they trust, from friends and family members to former coworkers who have gone on to build meaningful careers here.

When employees refer someone, it says a lot. It reflects their belief in that person and their confidence in Olympic Steel, based on their own experiences, as a place worth recommending. We’ve seen firsthand how those referrals can lead to long careers and strong teams, and our Employee Referral Program is one way we recognize and reward employees for the role they play in making those connections. In 2025, Olympic Steel welcomed 133 new team members recommended by existing employees and paid out a total of $57,000 in referral program rewards.

Here’s another example of how a simple referral can grow into something much more.

Josh Bentley & Dennis Elrod

For Dennis Elrod, Olympic Steel wasn’t just any job lead—it was a recommendation from someone he trusted. His brother-in-law, Josh Bentley, had been part of his life for decades. They’d worked together in the past, and Dennis had watched Josh build a long and successful career at Olympic Steel.

When Dennis, who had spent years working in sales, began exploring his next career move in 2022, he reached out and asked Josh to keep an eye out for any potential openings. Having known Josh for many years and seeing how his hard work at Olympic Steel translated into growth, stability and opportunity, Dennis trusted his judgment. If Josh believed Olympic Steel was a good place to work, that meant something.

Josh, who was first referred to Olympic Steel by his mother for an entry-level slitter helper position, has now built a 23-year career with the Company and referred several others along the way. When Dennis reached out, Josh already knew the kind of drive and mindset he would bring, and he knew the opportunity would be a good fit for Dennis, both professionally and personally.

“He’s goal-oriented and driven in everything he does,” Josh said. “Even when we were just going against each other on PlayStation, he wanted to win—and he was going to do whatever he had to do to make it happen. That drive and competitive nature is just part of who he is, and that’s exactly who you want on your team, especially in sales.”

A sales position opened at the Winder division not long after their conversation. Josh encouraged Dennis to apply and spoke up on his behalf.

“I got a lot of insight from Josh and then did some of my own research before I decided to apply,” Dennis said. “I could see Olympic Steel was a strong, growing company that valued its employees, so I was excited about the potential for being part of that. Applying felt like the right move.”

“It’s been a great experience,” Dennis said. “It’s a family atmosphere. People care and help each other, and you know you’re part of something bigger. Working at Olympic Steel has been a blessing for my family.”

For Josh, seeing Dennis make an impact with the Company where he’s built his own career has been just as rewarding. “He’s done well,” Josh said. “It’s been great to watch him find his place here, and really nice getting to work together.”

Josh has referred other employees to Olympic Steel over the years and says it’s always rewarding to bring good people into a team he believes in and see it all work out.

And it’s clear that Josh’s impact goes beyond his own referrals. Dennis has kept it going, referring his son to Olympic Steel—another familiar face added to the team. “When you’re somewhere that treats people well and gives you the opportunity to grow, you want others to have that same chance,” Dennis said.

That’s exactly what’s played out here. What started with one employee encouraging their child to take a closer look at Olympic Steel more than 20 years ago has grown into something bigger—three generations of dedicated employees we’re proud to call part of Olympic Steel.

Be Part of the Story!

Have a friend or family member who’d fit right in at Olympic Steel?

Your referral could help open the door to a meaningful career, just like it has for so many across the Company. Help them take the next step in their career—and make a difference in yours—by encouraging them to apply at https://www.olysteel.com/employment.

To learn more about the Employee Referral Program, visit https://www.iamolympicsteel.com/refer-a-friend.

Josh’s impact doesn’t stop at referrals! Read more about his career and what drives his success at Olympic Steel HERE.