It is with great reverence and our sincerest condolences that SEAA announces the passing of Eddie Williams. From his beginning as a rebar laborer in 1952 to Chairman of the Board of Buckner Companies, Eddie Williams devoted his life to the betterment of the steel construction industry. He was one of the founding fathers of SEAA and he was instrumental in ensuring the organization’s success through the decades.

In 1972, a small, local group of North and South Carolina steel erectors formed a non-profit organization that was then known as the Steel Erectors Association of the Carolinas (SEAC). This entity was the precursor to what is now a national organization—the Steel Erectors Association of America. Eddie Williams, then with CP Buckner Steel Erection, served as President of this fledgling group. When the need arose, he stepped in again in 1980 and 2003 to lead the board of directors. In 2005, he received SEAA’s William Davis Service Award for his lifetime dedication to improving the industry.

A longtime proponent of the importance of training, Eddie Williams often argued that “a rising tide, raises all ships” when advocating for erectors to invest in training  at a time when many contractors feared losing their investment if ironworkers left to go work for the competition.

Today, SEAA’s ironworker training and apprenticeship programs are a legacy of Eddie Williams’ vision for the industry. You can read more about Eddie Williams here and here.

SEAA’s Membership Directory is printed annually in the Spring Issue of Connector. If you want to get noticed by fabricators, erectors, or other companies in the steel construction industry, including your logo is a great way to make your company stand out.

In addition to having a year-long shelf life, the directory gets bonus distribution at the 2025 SEAA Convention & Trade Show. Your listing will be seen by potential business partners and customers. To be included in this once-a-year promotion, upload your logo by February 28, 2025.

As we transition into the colder months, it’s important to refresh our understanding of cold-weather-related illnesses, how to recognize their symptoms, and the appropriate steps for treatment. Cold weather can pose significant hazards for outdoor workers or those exposed to unheated environments, making preparation and awareness vital. Understanding how to prevent and manage these conditions is key to ensuring worker safety and maintaining productivity in challenging environments.

Representatives of SEAA member companies, who are also involved in other industry associations, recently provided updates on relevant initiatives to SEAA’s board of directors. The following reports come from The National Institute of Steel Detailing (NISD), Steel Joist Institute (SJI), Steel Deck Institute (SDI), and the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC).

“SEAA is committed to aligning with industry partners on safety standards, technical advancements, and workforce challenges,” said Glen Pisani, Chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee and Steel Division Manager for MAS Building & Bridge.

The Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) will host its 52nd Convention & Trade Show from May 6-9, 2025, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at The Landing Hotel at Rivers Casino. The event will bring together industry professionals for networking, education, and exciting excursions.

“We look forward to welcoming steel erectors, fabricators, and suppliers in Steel City! Our annual convention is an unmatched opportunity for networking, learning, and industry engagement for steel construction business owners and managers,” said Pete Gum, SEAA Executive Director. “We encourage members to register early, as hotel space is limited and high demand is expected with major events happening in Pittsburgh,” said Gum.

​A drop test was recently conducted by Derr & Gruenewald Construction at their facility in Henderson, Colorado, to replicate ironworkers in the process of throwing out steel decking. The objective of this test was to assess the structural integrity of steel deck sheets under impact conditions and to analyze various fall protection scenarios, particularly what might happen if an ironworker were to fall over the edge of a loose deck sheet.

​First Drop Test
In the initial test, a 315-pound test weight was suspended 5 feet above the working surface of the deck sheet. The test weight was connected to a 50-foot leading edge self-retracting lifeline (SRL), which was anchored to a horizontal lifeline (HLL) elevated 6 feet above the deck. The SRL was extended 25 feet from its anchor point to the test weight positioned at the edge of an unsecured deck sheet.