Nita Patel
Nita Patel, Chief Financial Officer, Action Stainless, Carrollton, TX
Values-driven mentor. Champions Safety and learning opportunities. Passionate about strengthening the Company’s future.
In 1988, Nita Patel moved to the United States. She graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey with an MBA in Managerial Accounting and Finance and began her professional career in the banking industry as an accountant. Nita recalls her time there saying, “I found the best mentors [in the banking industry]. They helped shape my professional career and made me who I am today.” After a few years, she moved to Dallas, and in 1998, she began her career with Action Stainless.
When she started at Action Stainless, the business was small and managed by a handful of people. Nita created financial statements and standard operating procedures that helped make it possible to grow the business. As more team members were added, Nita was an important part of the hiring team that systematically developed the organization.
In December 2020, Olympic Steel acquired Action Stainless. More than twenty years of Nita’s work was realized when it all came together in one smooth acquisition process. She’s been an important part of Action’s growth since the beginning, but especially in the last five years, and she’s proud of what they’ve accomplished.
She’s most proud, though, of her leadership in a self-directed mentoring program that helps new employees become great leaders. She explains, “Many of our employees begin as Interns, then continue their careers with Action Stainless. Mentoring is a great way for me to share all of the knowledge and experience I have with the next generation. I’m able to funnel my passion and share it with future Olympians.”
Jess Burroughs, Vice President – Action Stainless, says this about Nita, “Her approach to coaching and mentorship fosters growth and confidence in others, creating a ripple effect of excellence across the team. Whether guiding a new hire or supporting a peer through a challenge, she leads with empathy, clarity and purpose.”
Nita is grateful for who and what have helped her throughout her career: her education and encouragement from her husband while she continued her education; professional organizations that helped her learn about the industry and best practices; available and supportive Olympic Steel colleagues who answer her questions and always teach her something new; and, finally, her individual convictions that help her stay grounded and focused on what’s important.
When asked which Core Value she best represents and why, Nita says, “I choose Safety because it’s essential in our line of work. We always want everyone to return home the same way they arrived that day. Our operations employees are closely connected to the riskier side of the business, but as CFO, I do see the impact not being safe has on employees and the business. When something happens to an employee, it’s devastating – I want everyone to make good choices for THEIR SAFETY, not just good choices for the business.”
In her more than two decades with Action Stainless, Nita says she always looks forward to going to work. She finds a way to learn something from each day and offers this advice for others who want to build a satisfying career: “First, love what you do and do what you love! Give it all you have and more. Lead by example - others are watching and learning from you. And, always give more and never give up.”
