Management Team

Mr. Hoy E. Frakes, Jr is the President of AMG Vanadium.  During his leadership, AMG Vanadium has become the global leader in the spent catalyst metal recycling industry and the largest ferrovanadium producer in North America.  Mr. Frakes also serves as a director of Sudamin Holding SPRL (Belgium), President of Shieldalloy Metallurgical Corporation, and in 2018, Mr. Frakes was named to the Supervisory Board of AMG Brazilian Holding B.V. (Netherlands). Mr. Frakes holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Metallurgical Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and also received their Distinguished Achievement Medal. After graduating, Mr. Frakes served with distinction in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, both as a full-time officer and in the reserves. Additionally, Mr. Frakes received his MBA from the University of Colorado.

Mr. Thomas (Tom) Centa joined AMG Vanadium as Executive Vice President in May 2018. Mr. Centa brings with him over 30 years of experience in the metals industry and has a passion for leadership development. Prior to joining AMG Vanadium, Mr. Centa held executive leadership positions at Plymouth Tube Company, Alcoa, and North Star Steel. Mr. Centa holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Metallurgical Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and an Executive MBA from the University of Notre Dame.

Mrs. Jane Neal is the Senior Vice President of AMG Vanadium and leads the Environmental, Health and Safety, Quality, and Continuous Improvement teams. Mrs. Neal has over 20 years of experience in quality, process control, and operational leadership and is a Six Sigma Black Belt.  Prior to joining AMG Vanadium, Mrs. Neal was a plant manager at Roll Coater in Weirton, WV. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Metallurgical Engineering from The Ohio State University and an MBA from West Virginia University. Additionally, in July 2019 Mrs. Neal will begin her term as Chair of the Ohio’s Manufacturing Association Board of Directors. 

Kevin Jones serves as Vice President of AMG Vanadium with a primary focus on business development.  An experienced executive with over 30 years of experience in the metals industry, prior to joining AMG V Mr. Jones was Executive Vice President of Camelot Coal Company and President of Camelot Ferroalloys.  Previously, he served as President and CEO of Gulf Chemical & Metallurgical Corporation, an Eramet Group Company, and was the Founder and CEO of Bear Metallurgical. Mr. Jones holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing with a minor in Economics from the University of Florida and a MBA from the University of Pittsburgh.

Mr. Shawn Buchtel is the Controller/Corporate Secretary & Treasurer for AMG Vanadium. Prior to joining AMG Vanadium, Mr. Buchtel was the Controller for Ametek Solidstats Controls. He is a Certified Public Accountant with more than 25 years’ experience. He is a graduate from Kent State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Accounting.  Shawn serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Cambridge Area Chamber of Commerce and the Western Guernsey Regional Water District. 

Mr. David Lewis is the Director of Technical Services of AMG Vanadium and is responsible for leading AMG V’s engineering team and capital projects. Mr. Lewis has over 35 years of experience in the metallurgical and steel industry with vanadium, catalyst recycling, steel and stainless-steel production, and AOD and BOF furnace knowledge.  Prior to being the Technical Director, Mr. Lewis was the Plant Manager at AMG Vanadium from 1999-2007.  Mr. Lewis holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Metallurgical & Materials Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and a Masters in Engineering Management from Ohio University.  Mr. Lewis is a member of the Association of Iron and Steel Technology and the Advanced Steel Processing and Products Research Center at the Colorado School of Mines.  Additionally, he serves on the Muskingum University’s Physics and Engineering Advisory Council.  

Mrs. Colleen Heacock is the Vice President of Organizational Development and Corporate Affairs. In this role, Mrs. Heacock leads AMG Vanadium’s human resources and organizational development functions, along with the Company’s public and community relations and government affairs efforts.  Mrs. Heacock serves on the Board of Directors for Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical Center and the Zane State College Board of Trustees. She also is a member of the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association Government Affairs Committee, Society for Human Resource Management, and Southeast Ohio Manufacturing Council.  Prior to joining AMG Vanadium, Mrs. Heacock worked for The Longaberger Company where she held various executive leadership rolls.  Mrs. Heacock graduated from Muskingum University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Speech Communication.

Mr. Mark Anderson is the Vice President of Marketing and Sales. Mr. Anderson has over 10 years’ experience within the steel industry and vanadium. He participates on the Ohio Steel Council. Prior to joining AMG Vanadium, Mr. Anderson worked at Aristech Chemical Corporation where he held several positions including Plant Manager. Mr. Anderson has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering from The Ohio State University and a MBA from Ohio Dominican University.