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SEAA, on behalf of its members, submitted comments to OSHA's proposed rule on Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings. The comments were developed with input from member companies and SEAA's Safety & Education Committee.
 Earlier this month, Trivent Safety Consulting opened its doors to the members of the Steel Erectors Association of America at their state-of-the-art training facility in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, creating a platform for vital safety education. Trivent trainers guided participants through best practices and strategies designed to mitigate risks associated with falls. Trivent showcased demonstrations of rescue from a fall arrest system using their specialized training tower. Attendees also gained insights into various types of rescue equipment and techniques that are essential for maintaining worker safety on construction sites. The demos emphasized the importance of being aware of orthostatic intolerance—an often-overlooked condition that can affect workers who have been suspended after a fall. The hands-on experience allowed industry professionals to engage directly with advanced safety protocols and tools necessary for effective emergency response in high-risk environments, underscoring the Trivent Safety Consulting’s commitment to fostering a culture of safety within the steel erection industry.
SEAA is committed to supporting rebar placers, structural erectors, decking contractors and fabricators. Starting October 1, SEAA is offering a special incentive for new members. Sign up for a 2025 membership and start taking advantage of your membership benefits right away! The average membership fee is just $1,630. The value of benefits offered—$30,000.
Other practical benefits that you can tap immediately:
Don’t miss out on these valuable resources. For more information, contact SEAA’s Director of Membership & Business Development, Keri Goldstein, at [email protected].  The Dave Schulz Memorial Golf Tournament returned to the Golf Club at Omni Interlocken earlier this month. The tournament was named for former SEAA President (2018-2019) and 2009 Person of the Year Dave Schulz, who passed in 2020.
Funds raised during this tournament and from the Boom Lift Ball Drop, sponsored by United Rentals, supports Safety & Education projects for the association. The association would like to thank all of the players, sponsors, volunteers, and the SEAA staff who helped make this another successful event! View photos from the event here.
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 July 24, 2024 (Winston-Salem, N.C) The Board of Directors for the Steel Erectors Association of America names officers elected for a one-year term beginning July 2024. In addition, association members have confirmed a new slate of directors.
The Board of Directors consists of up to 19 individuals. From among the directors five officers are elected semi-annually, while the Immediate Past President is an appointed position. The incoming SEAA President is Jack Nix, Chief Operations Officer for Shelby Erectors, Inc. He is supported by David Deem of Deem Structural Services as Immediate Past President and Chris Legnon of Cooper Steel as President-Elect. Nix has been involved with SEAA since 2008 and has served on the board since 2011. He is a previous recipient of the association’s Person of the Year award and previously led the Membership Committee as its Chairman. Nix began his career in 1985 as an ironworker. In 2022, Shelby Erectors was featured on an episode of Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe, highlighting rodbusters. “There’s no other subcontractor owner organization out there that focuses on what we do—building with steel. My goal as SEAA’s next president is to continue to grow our membership, but especially among my reinforcing steel and decking contractor colleagues,” said Nix. The other new officers include:
Four incumbents were re-elected to new terms (2024-2027).
In addition, two individuals were appointed to vacated positions. Jamie Hopkins of United Rentals was appointed by the Executive Committee to fill the remaining term of Dave Brown. “Big Dave” Brown passed away on May 31, 2024. He joined SEAA’s Board of Directors in 2014 and championed the Boom Lift Ball Drop fundraiser, which helped to fund many projects dedicated to the safety and education of steel professionals. Geoff Kress, Gardner-Watson Decking, was appointed by the Executive Committee to fill the remaining term of Tom Schlickbernd, who recently retired. SEAA is currently seeking dedicated members to join several of its key committees. This is a valuable opportunity for those looking to make an impact within the industry while contributing to the organization's growth and success.
We have openings in the following committees:
Committees are made up of employees of member companies. Each committee is led by a chairperson. Members serve for three-year terms. “We are looking for enthusiastic members who are committed to advancing the steel construction industry and enhancing our association’s activities. Participation provides a stepping stone to serving on the board of directors,” said Pete Gum, Executive Director. “The opportunity to collaborate with other industry professionals and leaders is the best way to get value out of your membership,” said Jack Nix, President of SEAA and Chief Operations Officer for Shelby Erectors. If you’re interested in joining a committee or learning more, please contact Krista Whittemore.  By: Tracy Bennett Three of the five winning Projects of the Year– presented by SEAA in April 2024 to members from Arizona, Georgia, and Kentucky– shared common challenges of space constraints and difficult site access. In Atlanta, Georgia, Porter Steel, Inc., had to deliver materials for an 8,625 lb AESS staircase to be installed between 9th and 10th floors of an office building using a 5 ft x 8 ft elevator. Likewise, All Things Metal faced setting structural steel by hand in the basement and upper floors of a 100 year-old building conversion into a posh boutique hotel. Located in downtown Phoenix, Arizona, the building was hemmed in on one side by a light rail line. At 691+ tons of steel erected, Cumberland Steel Company’s project was on a larger scale than the other two. However, they faced similar difficulties building an immersive sports, entertainment and arts venue in The Colony, Texas. The jobsite location was not much larger than the overall footprint of the structure itself, and had residential buildings on two sides, access roads that could not be shut down, and several other active projects surrounding it. Be sure to click the red subscribe button above to receive your digital copy.
 ALP Industries, Brooksville, Florida, distributes quality industrial lifting products. Referred by: Jack Nix, Shelby Erectors Big Box Erectors LLC, Avon, Indiana, provides expert steel erection services for warehouses nationwide. Cascade Nut & Bolt Inc., Salem, Oregon, is a commercial fastener distributor. Castillo Iron Works Inc., Bronx, New York, specializes in all steel work including fabrication, stairs, steel beams and columns. Engineered Supply, LLC, Bayport, Minnesota, provides expertise in roof anchor points, wall anchor points, rigging sleeves, and davit arms. Greco Steel Products, Inc., Springdale, Pennsylvania, is a fabricating and detailing shop that also includes design and erection capabilities. Henderson Fab, Loganville, Georgia, is an AISC Certified Fabricator and Erector for new construction and tenant improvements in the manufacturing, warehousing, cold storage, entertainment, and data storage market sectors. Referred by: Duke Perry, Gardner-Watson Studs High Structural Erectors LLC, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, erects a wide variety of steel and precast structures and specializes in precast concrete parking garages and architectural precast building cladding. Infra-Metals, Newtown, Pennsylvania, features products ranging from beams and tubes to sheets, channels and expanded metal, and processing capabilities include everything from cutting and drilling to blasting and painting. Referred by: Jack Nix, Shelby Erectors See the full list of new members and more by clicking the button below. Be sure to click the red subscribe button above to receive your digital copy.
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Thank you to the SEAA member companies that participated in OSHA’s 2024 National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction earlier this month and shared their photos with us! Fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of death for construction employees, accounting for 395 of the 1069 construction fatalities recorded in 2022 (BLS data), and the National Stand-Down aims to raise awareness in an effort to stop fall fatalities and injuries. The Fall Prevention Stand-Down resources page, which includes this year’s printable poster that featured R.A.D. Ideas for Fall Prevention, focused on Research, Awareness, and Delivery, is available year-round for anyone looking for fall prevention resources and training materials. The 2024 hard hat sticker will also be available for members to purchase all year. SEAA is committed to the cause and works to provide our members with the knowledge and resources to help them keep safety at the top of mind.
View Fall Prevention Resources View Photos from the 2024 Stand-Down Over the last few years, SEAA has developed more than 80 Ironworker Training Videos that align with specific learning modules from the SEAA/NCCER Ironworker Custom Curriculum. These videos have been available exclusively through SEAA’s SteelPros Training Portal, but now, five of them can be accessed for free on our YouTube Channel.
“We decided to make a few of the videos publicly available so that members could get an idea of the variety and quality of content that is available in the SteelPros Training Portal,” said Tim Eldridge, President of Education Services Unlimited and SEAA’s Craft Training and Assessment Administrator. “There is a complete list of the ironworker training videos we have developed on the association website under Member Tools.” Click here to see the list. Each member company is entitled to 1 free user license. Companies can upgrade to an Admin Account and add additional learners for the discounted rate of $35 each. View the sample videos. Get more information on SteelPros. Congratulations to the winners of the George R. Pocock Memorial Golf Tournament and our first-ever Pickleball Tournament, which took place this past April during the 2024 Convention & Trade Show in Glendale, Arizona. Winners of SEAA’s first Pickleball Tournament 1st Place: Mark Upton, Thornton Tomasetti and Kendall Clyde, Nucor-Vulcraft Verco Group
2nd Place: Glen and Susan Pisani, MAS Building & Bridge 3rd Place: Greg Slape, Bluearc Stud Welding and Lee Shaw, BZI  We're excited to announce the launch of the new Member to Member Discount program! Through this program we are able to provide members with access to special discounts and promotions. Remember to keep an eye on this page as new discounts and promotions are coming!
If you are looking to take advantage of a discount, please reach out the main contact on the listing and provide proof of SEAA Membership (paid dues invoice or link to membership directory listing), they will then give instructions on how to check out. Interested in offering a discount to SEAA members? Fill out the Enrollment Form or reach out to Keri Goldstein with any questions you may have.  Ironworkers and rodbusters are even more at risk of dying by suicide than other types of construction workers. Of the 11 construction occupations cited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, structural iron and steel workers are #1 and reinforcing iron and rebar workers are #2 for highest rates of suicide.
“As SEAA was made aware of the staggering statistics surrounding mental health and suicide rates in our industry, the association’s Board of Directors made the decision to join other industry stakeholders to provide education and resources for our members,” said R. Pete Gum, Executive Director. Along with the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention, SEAA pledges to STAND Up. In May, the association created a Stand Up for Mental Health resources page, with construction-focused resources and training materials. On this page, you will also find a list of events that will be held throughout the year that help bring awareness to the issue. “SEAA encourages everyone to use these events and resources as a way to prepare your teams for the conversation surrounding mental health and suicide prevention,” said Gum. Find Mental Health Resources.  The Q3 Board of Directors meeting will take place on July 25 from 10 am - 3 pm at the Lakewood Country Club in Westlake, Ohio. The board meeting is open to all members of the association, we just ask that you RSVP in advance so we can set the room accordingly.
SEAA will be hosting a Steel Connections Peer Group and a Meet & Greet Reception following the board meeting on July 25. Both of these events are open to members and non-members of the association. The peer group meeting will be held from 3:30 to 5:30 and is limited to 35 attendees. The Steel Connections Peer Group is designed to bring the industry together for a collaborative conversation about the latest news and market developments and to create an environment in which we can learn from each other. If you are interested in attending the peer group you must RSVP in advance to save your spot. The Meet & Greet Reception will take place from 6-8 pm. As a collective body of steel erectors, fabricators, rebar contractors, suppliers, and general contractors, SEAA is dedicated to advancing the common interests of all those engaged in steel construction. Meet & Greet attendees will get to learn more about our mission to provide members with tangible benefits and resources to help with hiring, training, and retaining in today's workforce. Plus, hear from product suppliers with ideas and solutions to improve your business. To register for SEAA’s meetings, click here. SEAA Member Nelson Stud Welding will be hosting an Innovation Forum over a series of days around the SEAA meeting that is open for members to attend. It includes tours of their facility, hands on demos, and fun networking opportunities. For more information about the Innovation Forum, click here. SEAA is also seeking two vendors or service providers who will partner with us in inviting local erectors to this networking event. Meet & Greet Sponsorships provide vendors and service suppliers a chance to present a short non-promotional presentation to an exclusive group of erectors, fabricators, rebar contracts and steel decking and contractors. Click here to learn more and contact Kathy Epperson to secure a sponsorship.
May 8, 2024 (Winston-Salem, N.C.) The Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) announces the recipients of its 2024 Safety Excellence and Craft Training Excellence Awards. Member companies received recognition for maintaining good safety records and having a comprehensive training program aligned with long-term career paths.
We’re just days away from the 2024 convention and trade show and the association is excited to announce the recipients of its 2024 awards programs! In all, 14 member companies received Safety Excellence Awards, three companies were awarded World Class recognition for their Craft Training programs, and five projects across multiple categories were awarded Project of the Year. SEAA's 2024 award winners will participate in panel discussions during convention next week and will be presented with awards during the Presidents Dinner. Project of the Year For Project of the Year, entries could be submitted in four classes for Structural Steel and two classes for Miscellaneous Metals. Classes are based on contract value for that portion of the job. In all, six companies were recognized for effectively solving unique jobsite challenges while safely completing projects. Project submissions are chosen by an independent panel of judges.
Winners will get the chance to participate in a peer panel discussion at AISC’s Steel Conference and SEAA’s Convention, and will also be featured in Connector throughout the year.
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 The Trade Show is an integral part of SEAA’s Convention. For many years, the Welcome Reception has taken place on the Trade Show Floor. It’s a favorite part of the event because attendees get a sneak peek of the latest products. Decision makers include business owners, senior leaders and managers.
New Directors from the West Join SEAA Board SEAA announces that Victor Garcia and Lee Shaw have been named to the association’s board of directors for three-years terms that began in July 2023. “As our membership extends west, we value the input these directors have about the interests and needs of fabricators and erectors based in western states,” said R. Pete Gum, Executive Director. Be sure to click the red subscribe button above to receive your digital copy.
 By Tracy Bennett In the last three years, SEAA has tripled its benefits programs and doubled in-person networking events. “By offering more opportunities for our members to connect and the chance to tap new hiring, training, and business resources, we are giving contractors the tools they are seeking to better run their businesses,” said R. Pete Gum, Executive Director. The average membership fee is $1,640, while the value of services available to members is greater than $30,000 annually. “Whether you are already a member, but not taking full advantage of the resources available to you, or you are not yet a member, this information is for you,” said Jack Nix, Chief Operations Officers for Shelby Erectors and Chairman of the Membership Committee. Shared connections Every association says the primary benefit of participation is the networking, but members of SEAA say it best themselves. SEAA holds an annual Convention & Trade Show that rotates between east and west locations. The 2024 event is April 2-5 in Glendale, Arizona. Other opportunities to meet include regional Meet & Greet receptions and Peer Group discussions that take place in conjunction with summer, fall, and winter Board of Directors meetings held at various locations around the country. The Dave Schulz Memorial Golf Tournament is a fundraiser event held every fall. It also alternates between east and west. “Our company is where it is today because of the networking through SEAA. For 25 years, SEAA has contributed to my personal growth as a business owner and the overall improvement of our company. Other members willingly answer questions pertaining to industry standards, OSHA regulations, subcontract language, and more,” said David Deem, President of Deem Structural Services and President of SEAA (2022-2024). Be sure to click the red subscribe button above to receive your digital copy.
 Cindy Schulz, widow of Dave Schulz, with friends and family Dave Schulz Memorial Golf Tournament Sinks a “Hole in One” The Dave Schulz Memorial Golf Tournament returned to the Lonnie Poole golf course at NC State in Raleigh, North Carolina, for the first time since the tournament was named for former SEAA President (2018-2019) and 2009 Person of the Year Dave Schulz. Schulz passed away in 2020. “This homecoming would not have been complete without Cindy Schulz, Dave’s widow, and former president of Schulz Iron Works,” said David Deem, current SEAA President. Deem sported red tennis shoes in honor of Dave Schulz, who was a huge supporter of North Carolina State University and was frequently seen wearing red tennis shoes, even with a suit and tie. SEAA heads West for the 2024 Convention and Trade Show Scheduled for April 2-5 in Glendale, Arizona, SEAA’s 2024 Convention and Trade Show will feature a variety of education sessions, plenty of networking opportunities, the George R. Pocock Memorial Golf Tournament, a Pickleball Tournament at Chicken and Pickle, and so much more. Keep in mind that The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament will be held April 6-8 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. This means that hotel rooms are at a premium. Registering and reserving your room early is highly recommended. When the SEAA block is full, we will not be able to get additional rooms. Discounts end on January 31, 2024. Director of Membership & Business Development Joins SEAA Staff SEAA has named Keri Goldstein as its Director of Membership & Business Development. In this new role, Goldstein will work with the board of directors and committees. She is responsible for member recruitment and retention programs. SEAA Takes the Pledge to Stand Up for Suicide Prevention SEAA has joined other industry association stakeholders of the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP). Over 5,000 people working in construction die by suicide each year. That’s five times more than the annual number of jobsite fatalities. Be sure to click the red subscribe button above to receive your digital copy.
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