Dave Collins
Dave Collins was born in 1947 in Youngstown, Ohio, the son of Arnold and Jean Collins.
Dave attended Liberty Schools and graduated in 1965. He then attended Youngstown University, seeking a degree in accounting.
In the early 1970’s he was afforded a chance to “apprentice” with his father, as an accountant with Compco Metal Products Company, the predecessor of Compco Industries. Although he was probably an “adequate” accountant, his love was always machinery, cars and trucks.
When he was transferred to Diamond Steel, he was able to work with the cranes and trucks there and even receive a paycheck.
He and his wife, Mary Ann, were married in 1980 and are blessed with two children, Jonathan of Poland and Shelby of Huntington Beach, Calif.
He has been blessed to have wife Mary Ann and son Jonathan work with him at Diamond (Shelby was there for a while as well).
Dave currently serves as Senior Warden of Christ the King Anglican Church in Columbiana. He is also an active member of the Masonic Fraternity, having attained honors in the Grand Lodge of Ohio, York and Scottish Rites and the Shrine. He currently serves the Grand Lodge of Ohio as Associate Grand Chaplain.
Dave has served on various boards and committees, including the Grow Mahoning Valley Committee, Greater Youngstown Area Crime Stoppers, Eastern Mental Health, and currently is a management Trustee of the Ironworkers Local 207 Pension Fund.
Having served many terms as a trustee of the Penguin Club, Dave was honored to serve as President from July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2005.
It has been a great ride!
Diamond Steel
Clarence R. Smith, Sr., a journeyman ironworker, founded Diamond Steel Construction in 1928.
In the early 1950’s, Clarence R. Smith Jr., Smitty or Sonny as he is known, assumed leadership of the company, upon his father’s illness.
Under his leadership, the company prospered and soon needed a controller (today’s CFO). Arnold Collins, a young CPA with the firm Hill and Hammonds, was hired. The two formed a bond and became best friends until Arnold’s death in 1995.
Dave Collins, who started with the Company in the early 1970’s as an “accountant”, was dispatched to Diamond Steel in February, 1976. His job description from Smitty and his dad was “you’ll figure it out”.
He is still trying.
Under Dave’s leadership, the fleet of cranes owned by Diamond increased from four to 30, ranging in size from 6-ton to 275-ton capacity, with boom length to 344 feet.
In 2005, Smitty gave Dave the opportunity to purchase a majority interest in Diamond Steel. His mother, Jean and wife Mary Ann, siblings Larry Collins and Arjean Spaite were instrumental in putting the package together to enable the purchase.
By 2010 the facility in Boardman where Diamond Steel had been since the early 1930’s had become outgrown and the firm moved to its current location in North Lima, where it is based today.
Diamond Steel has been proud to work on steel erection projects in the commercial industrial markets including erecting the steel for the Stambaugh Stadium Loge expansion and DeBartolo Stadium Club, as well as coordinating the crane work for the new YSU Stadium lights.
Diamond Steel’s current management team consists of Dave Collins – President, Ryan McBride – Vice-President, Jonathan Collins – Treasurer, Ray Ozanich – Superintendent, Bob Smith – Superintendent and John Ervin – Dispatcher & Safety Supervisor.
Diamond Steel is a member of the Builders Association of Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania, and also the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association.
