 Association's Highest Honor Recognizes Decades of Leadership and Service to the Steel Construction Industry The Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) has selected Carrie Gulajan, President of Construction Insurance Agency, Inc., Manassas, Virginia, as the recipient of the William Davis Service Award. She received the award during the President’s Dinner at the 2026 Convention & Trade Show in May in Kansas City, Missouri.
The award is reserved for individuals who have demonstrated a lifelong commitment to advancing the industry through service, leadership, and dedication. It is not presented annually, but only when a recipient's contributions merit this distinguished honor.  Drew Heron and Jason McElrath are Co-Recipients of The Eddie Award, Recognizing their Commitment to the Association The Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) has named Drew Heron, Vice President of Operations for Deem Structural Services, Longview, Texas, and Jason McElrath, President of MP Specialty Insurance, West Columbia, South Carolina, as co-recipients of the 2026 Eddie Award. They received the award during the President’s Dinner at the 2026 Convention & Trade Show in May in Kansas City, Missouri.
Formerly known as the Person of the Year Award, the recognition was renamed to honor SEAA founding member Edward “Eddie” Williams. The award is presented annually to an individual who exemplifies dedicated service and a deep commitment to SEAA’s mission and values.
2026 Project of the Year winners feature high-rise, stadium, infrastructure, and public safety construction in Florida, Texas, and Alaska The Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) announces the winners of its 2026 Projects of the Year, recognizing excellence in reinforcing steel and structural steel construction. Reinforcing Steel is a new category. Other categories include Structural Steel and Miscellaneous Metals.
This year’s winning projects took place across Florida, Texas, and Alaska, highlighting the versatility and problem-solving capabilities of steel erectors working in vastly different environments—from dense urban high-rises and active airports to remote national park infrastructure. “These projects demonstrate the ingenuity and adaptability required to deliver steel construction in today’s complex environments,” said Pete Gum, Executive Director of SEAA. “Whether overcoming tight schedules, challenging site conditions, or extreme climates, each of these teams brought forward solutions that ensured safety, efficiency, and long-term performance.” Winners receive trophies, feature article coverage in Connector magazine, and the opportunity to participate in peer panel discussions. Summaries are provided below. Construction continues to face one of the highest suicide rates among all industries, with structural iron and steel workers and reinforcing ironworkers among the most at-risk occupations, according to data shared through the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP).
As May marks Mental Health Awareness Month, companies across the steel construction industry are encouraged to continue conversations around mental health, suicide prevention, and worker wellbeing. In 2023, SEAA joined the CIASP STAND Up for Suicide Prevention pledge initiative. Over the past several years, the association has also expanded its focus on mental health awareness to help companies normalize conversations around mental health and connect workers with support resources.
Steel erectors and fabricators honored for advancing performance, training, and jobsite safety The Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) has announced the recipients of its 2026 Safety Excellence and Craft Training Excellence Awards, recognizing member companies that are raising the bar for jobsite safety and ironworker training.
Presented at SEAA’s Convention & Trade Show, May 5-8, in Kansas City, Missouri, this year’s awards reflect both consistency among top performers and continued growth across the industry, including the introduction of a new Fabricator Safety Excellence category. “The expansion of the awards program for our fabricator members reflects the makeup of the association,” said R. Pete Gum, Executive Director of SEAA. Like the Erector Safety Excellence Award, it uses a points-based system evaluating EMR ratings, OSHA logs, citations, safety programs, and training initiatives.
As hybrid steel and mass timber projects continue gaining momentum across the country, industry organizations and steel erectors are increasing efforts to prepare erection crews and field leaders for the evolving demands of construction.
To support that effort, SEAA is partnering with WoodWorks to host the next installment of its Mass Timber Training program July 13-14 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in coordination with SEAA member company Pioneer Construction. Designed specifically for foremen, superintendents, project managers, and field operations leaders, the two-day program combines classroom instruction with hands-on erection experience focused on real-world field execution. By: Macie Murie, associate editor of Connector magazine, and associate client manager for Mighty Mo Media Partners
If there was one takeaway from the 2026 SEAA Convention & Trade Show, it’s this: the association continues to grow, and so does the energy behind it. From packed education sessions and a busy trade show floor to networking events that kept conversations going long after the sessions ended, this year’s convention reflected the momentum happening across SEAA and the steel construction industry as a whole. Attendance was strong with nearly 400 erectors, fabricators, and industry suppliers, but what stood out most was the level of engagement. Education sessions covering workforce development, AI, leadership, safety, project management, cybersecurity, and emerging opportunities like mass timber construction drew great participation and sparked conversations that will carry well beyond the meeting rooms.
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A Controlled Decking Zone (CDZ) is a designated work area used during steel erection and metal decking operations where crews perform leading-edge decking work before permanent fall protection systems are fully installed.
While OSHA allows limited exceptions to conventional fall protection within a CDZ, these zones present significant fall hazards if they are not properly established, controlled, and monitored. The primary risk in a CDZ is exposure to unprotected edges and unsecured decking panels. Steel decking installation often occurs at heights between 15 and 30 feet above a lower level, where workers may be exposed to fall hazards during initial deck placement. SEAA’s annual Project of the Year contest offers categories for Structural Steel, Miscellaneous Metals and, new this year, Reinforcing Steel. Projects are judged against projects with similar project values.
This year, five projects are being recognized, and four of them are first time winners! Companies will be recognized during the 2026 Convention & Trade Show in Kansas City, Missouri, May 5-8. Last week, the Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) recognized 25 women as part of its Steel Strong Women in Construction campaign. Nominations came from across the industry, with this year’s honorees representing the full spectrum of roles in which women are making an impact in steel construction, from ironworkers in the field to business owners leading their companies.
“Now in its second year, our Steel Strong Women in Construction campaign saw nearly a 50% increase in nominations, reflecting growing engagement and impact,” said Pete Gum, Executive Director. “The initiative was created to elevate the perspectives of women in our niche of construction and to support the annual Women in Construction Week hosted by the National Association of Women in Construction.” 
A Controlled Decking Zone (CDZ) is a designated work area used during steel erection and metal decking operations where crews perform leading-edge decking work before permanent fall protection systems are fully installed.
While OSHA allows limited exceptions to conventional fall protection within a CDZ, these zones present significant fall hazards if they are not properly established, controlled, and monitored. The primary risk in a CDZ is exposure to unprotected edges and unsecured decking panels. Steel decking installation often occurs at heights between 15 and 30 feet above a lower level, where workers may be exposed to fall hazards during initial deck placement.
Additional hazards include damaged or improperly rated rigging gear, sling failure caused by sharp rebar edges, and uncontrolled loads when taglines are not used or lift points are poorly positioned. These risks increase when crews do not establish standard lift points or skip a final check of connections before signaling the crane operator.
 “NASCC is worth every penny a company would spend. The return on investment is incredible!” - Curtis Harmon, Erector at Deem Structural Services
Join more than 6,500 structural steel enthusiasts in Atlanta for NASCC: The Steel Conference, taking place April 22–24 at the Georgia World Congress Center. Choose from nearly 300 technical sessions and explore more than 280 products and services that can help you build better with steel—all at one unmissable event. Get the latest insights straight from leading field experts on topics like:
Registration opens January 26, and prices go up every week until the conference. Reserve your spot early to lock in the best possible rate! Learn more and register at aisc.org/nascc. The Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) will host its National Convention & Trade Show May 5–8, 2026, at the Sheraton Kansas City at Crown Center in Kansas City, Missouri. The event brings together steel erection and fabrication professionals for practical business and workforce development discussions and opportunities to connect directly with peers and industry leaders. Attendees will also have access to the Trade Show, featuring new technologies and solutions for steel contractors.
The keynote speaker for the 2026 Convention will be Jim “The Rookie” Morris, whose remarkable career shift from high school science teacher to Major League Baseball pitcher was immortalized in the Disney film The Rookie. Morris will speak on mentorship, leadership, and the impact of surrounding yourself with people who elevate your potential.
“These bonus training aids are available to SEAA members at no cost and are designed to make implementation of craft training more manageable at the company level,” said Tim Eldridge, President of Education Services Unlimited and SEAA Training Coordinator. “They reflect our commitment to providing practical safety, education, and craft training resources that help members turn curriculum into action.”
We’re excited to announce significant updates to our annual award programs, giving members new opportunities for recognition. Submissions for the Project of the Year Award are due December 15, 2025, and entries for the Safety and Craft Training Excellence Awards are due January 31, 2026.
What’s New This Year For the first time, the Project of the Year Award will feature a dedicated category for Reinforcing Steel projects. This addition ensures that rebar contractors are evaluated alongside their peers for similar types of work. Rebar projects can now be submitted under two contract value classes—up to $500,000 and over $500,000—covering a range of project types including transportation, building structures, industrial and utility, and specialty work. The Safety & Education Committee has also expanded its Safety Excellence Award to include a new category for Fabricators, recognizing members that demonstrate outstanding safety performance and best practices. Like the Erector Safety Excellence Award, it uses a points-based system evaluating EMR ratings, OSHA logs, citations, safety programs, and training initiatives. NCCER has announced updates to its crane operator certification program to streamline the testing process and better align certifications with specific crane types. The new model introduces one written assessment and one practical exam for each type of crane, allowing operators to be tested only on the equipment they use in the field.
The change is intended to reduce unnecessary testing requirements and improve clarity for training providers and employers. Under the simplified structure, certification options now include Industrial/Carry Deck, Telescopic Boom, Boom Truck, Lattice Boom and Overhead Crane. Articulating Boom and Service Truck are pending ANAB accreditation. The new program is currently available. The existing crane certification program will remain in place until April 2026, allowing providers time to adjust. However, the two models should not be combined within the same certification path. As the year winds down, SEAA is gearing up for an exciting 2026 and we want to ensure every member is ready to take full advantage of the programs, resources, and industry connections that shape our association. All 2026 membership renewals are due by November 30, and we encourage you to submit your payment soon to avoid any interruption in benefits.
Membership in SEAA is more than an annual invoice it’s an investment in your workforce, your business, and the future of steel construction. Renewing keeps your company connected to SEAA’s expanding network, including access to Craft Training & Apprenticeship resources, safety and education initiatives, peer groups, industry best practices, and exclusive member discounts. These tools are designed to support teams in the field and in the office, helping companies stay competitive in a fast-moving market. We also extend our thanks to the many members who have already renewed. Your early action strengthens our ability to deliver timely programs, elevate the voice of steel erectors, and expand opportunities for collaboration across our community. SEAA is proud to recognize several member companies ranked among the Top 20 Firms in Steel Construction in ENR’s 2025 Top 600 Specialty Contractors list, an exceptional accomplishment in a highly competitive market. These firms earned their place during a year shaped by rising material costs and ongoing pressure on project timelines.
Despite these pressures, ENR reports that the Top 600 specialty contractors collectively saw an 11.8% revenue increase, with more than 97% reporting profit growth. Industry leaders say that strong relationships and steady, well-managed project controls continue to make the difference. ENR also notes that skilled labor remains a major challenge. Even so, many top firms are turning that challenge into progress by expanding training efforts and creating clearer paths for new workers entering the trades. The following SEAA member companies were ranked in the Top 20 Steel Construction Firms:  Every successful steel erection project depends on teamwork and careful planning. Whether hoisting structural members, rebar cages, or bundles of deck, every lift includes several moving parts. When that coordination slips, even small details can lead to unnecessary risk.
Pre-lift planning is one of the best tools we have to ensure safe and efficient operations. It brings operators, riggers, and ironworkers to the same table to review the load, ground conditions, and the lift path. By talking through each step, crews can catch oversights early and align on responsibilities, communication, and stop-work authority. As highlighted in Spring 2024 issue of Connector, lift directors play a vital role in this process, but effective lift planning is truly a team effort. When every person involved understands the “why” behind the plan, they’re more likely to speak up, double-check, and support one another in maintaining control of the lift.
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