Anthony Kilgore doesn’t rush to be the loudest in the room, but if you spend even five minutes with him, his presence leaves a lasting impression. There’s a calm, steady warmth to the way he speaks. A quiet wisdom in his outlook. And above all, an unshakable belief in the power of choosing joy, even when the day doesn’t go your way.
Spend a little more time with him, and you’ll quickly see how that same mindset has defined his 30-year career here at Kloeckner Metals.
Anthony works as a Burner Operator at Kloeckner Metals Chicago. It’s a job that demands precision, quality, and speed—traits he’s developed and refined over the course of three decades. Each day looks a little different. Some days he’s cutting shapes, others it’s crosscuts. Some days it’s thick metal, others thin. But every day, his work is essential to the fabrication process, ensuring that material leaves the facility clean, accurate, and ready to perform.
“There’s always something going on,” Anthony says. “You’ve got to stay sharp and pay attention.”
One of Anthony’s favorite memories on the job is cutting a 9-inch-thick steel ring with a 60-inch outer diameter and 20-inch inner diameter. What made it especially memorable was getting to pierce it with the machine himself, something he doesn’t often have the chance to do.
But it’s not just his technical expertise that makes him invaluable. It’s the way he approaches the job. He’s known for being consistent, for keeping a level head under pressure, and for helping create a positive work environment just by showing up and doing things the right way.
“I try not to let the little stuff bother me,” he says. “Even if somebody’s frowning or having a bad day, I stay focused and keep it moving.”
After he clocks out, Anthony doesn’t slow down much. When he isn’t out at the bowling alley or playing cards with friends, he’s spending time with his family. A proud grandfather to 9 grandkids, ranging from age 14 to 40, he makes a point to stay connected, even though they don’t all live nearby.
“I have to travel to see them,” he says with a smile. “But that’s just what you do.”
Anthony talks about his grandchildren with pride, and it’s clear that being a steady figure in their lives means a lot to him. It’s that same sense of responsibility and care that he brings to his team at work.
Anthony also enjoys swimming, a hobby that helps him stay active and centered. “I like being in the water,” he says. “It keeps me moving.”
But one day at the beach, swimming evolved from a casual day in the water to a moment he’ll never forget. It happened on 35th Street Beach in Illinois. Anthony was waist-deep in the water, just enjoying the afternoon, when he noticed something that didn’t look right.
“There was a woman farther out than I was, and she was shorter than me,” he says. “Next thing I know, she’s waving her hand.”
Anthony didn’t wait to see if someone else would step in. He took action, swimming out to her, grabbing her hand, and helping her back to shore.
“She was in trouble,” he says. “I could tell. I didn’t think about it too much—I just went.”
He tells the story casually, without any sense of heroics. And for those who know Anthony, his response was no surprise. That moment at the beach may have been unplanned, but it was completely in character. He saw someone in need, and he acted calmly, quickly, and without hesitation.
When asked where he draws his outlook from, Anthony didn’t hesitate.
“I guess you could say I’m greedy,” he joked. Then he added, sincerely: “I’m not gonna let anyone steal my joy. I just think we need more people who choose to be kind. That’s how I live.”
That mindset helps the people around him, too. In a busy, fast-moving environment, Anthony brings a steady sense of calm and balance. He reminds his team, without ever having to say it, that attitude is a choice, and joy is something worth protecting.
After spending only a brief part of the morning with Anthony, one thing became clear: he’s the kind of person you don’t come across often. Kindness and sincerity aren’t something he turns on when it’s convenient. Those principles are embedded in everything he does. From the way he works to the way he interacts with others, Anthony shows that strength doesn’t have to be loud, and impact doesn’t have to be flashy.
He’s a steady force. A humble leader. A man who’s helped build North America not just with steel and flame, but with character. And after 30 years, he’s still showing up with the same steady hand and open heart.
With amazing individuals like Anthony on our team, Kloeckner is building materials that power North America and a culture worth being proud of.
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