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.
 May 6, 2022 (Winston-Salem, N.C.) The Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) announced at its annual membership meeting on April 7, 2022 in Charleston, S.C., the slate of officers to serve from 2022 to 2024. The slate was unanimously approved by the Board of Directors.
 Ed Valencia is currently employed as a Safety Director for Derr & Gruenewald Construction in Brighton, CO.
 Click the photo to view more images of Dave David Alan Schulz was born October 9, 1954 in Saginaw, Michigan. He died December 19, 2020 at his home in Sanford, North Carolina. He was 66. Known by his friends as Dave, he was a hardworking ironworker who started his career in construction in 1973 erecting grain dryers and boilers. Described as a funny, kind, and generous fireball of a personality, Dave was certainly rough around the edges. But that exterior belied a heart of gold. With more gumption than money, he and his wife Cindy, opened Schulz Iron Works, Inc., in 1999 equipped with not much more than a pickup truck and credit card. Anyone who ever observed Dave and Cindy together knows that they just fit together. Married for 34 years, he adored her beyond measure. Cindy serves as President, managing the business side of Schulz Iron Works, while Dave as Vice President, remained hands on, reportedly working as many as six days a week, often in the field. Together they assembled a team that today is about 45 people strong and feels more like family than employees. Several have been with Schulz Iron Works for 20+ years. Generous with both his time and finances, Dave was a man of second chances, affording many of his employees an opportunity for a fresh start and a career path. He supported them in more ways than just a paycheck, investing in their personal and professional lives. For example, he was godfather to one team member’s child and made sure another had a company truck with a king cab, suitable for toting children in car seats to school. In much the same way, he was passionate about safety, which was a key reason he joined the Steel Erectors Association of America in 2001. Schulz Iron Works was one of the first companies to become an accredited training and assessment site in the SEAA/NCCER Ironworker Craft Training Program, which he later expanded to also include crane operator and rigger training for his employees. He shared these training resources with other companies; on more than one occasion brought nearly one-fourth of his crew to SEAA’s annual conventions; and put his all into fundraising for SEAA’s education and training programs. Dave first joined the SEAA board of directors in 2007. He served on the Safety & Education Committee for several years and more recently led the planning for SEAA’s Annual Education Fundraiser Golf Tournament at Lonnie Poole Golf Course located on the campus of NC State University in Raleigh, N.C. In typical Dave style, he agreed to not charge a customer for change orders if the company supported the golf tournament. That charitable mind set permeated much of the company’s activities with donated supplies and labor for Raleigh-area community projects and the NC State Student Steel Bridge Competition. An unofficial ambassador of SEAA, Dave was named the association’s Person of the Year in 2009 and was elected President in 2018. Achieving this goal was a life-long dream of Dave’s which at times may have seemed like wishful thinking to anyone but Dave. The man was not polished—he wore red sneakers with his dress pants—and at times he had no filter, which was often hilarious. But when he screwed up, he learned from it. His energy and passion for life was amazing; his kindness overwhelming.
SEAA’s Executive Board directs six committees, which tackle specific projects and annual planning. “More than anything, involvement in the day-to-day work of the association is what opened doors and created great networking opportunities for me personally,” said Jack Nix, Chairman of the Membership Committee.
Openings are available for each of the following committees. Committees meet in person at quarterly board meetings and by conference call as projects dictate. Looking for more information? Contact Tom Underhill at the SEAA office or the individual chairperson. https://www.seaa.net/get-connected.html#committees Long Range Planning, Josh Cilley Finance, Greg Phillips Safety & Education, Bryan McClure Media, Chris Legnon Convention, Carrie Gulajan Membership, Jack Nix
 Chris Legnon, Cooper Steel Fabricators, Inc., Shelbyville, Tenn.
Chris Legnon joined the SEAA Board of Directors in 2015 and currently serves as Secretary and Chairperson of the Media Committee. He is Vice President of Strategic Planning at Cooper Steel Fabricators, Inc., a family-owned AISC Certified Fabricator and Erection Company. Chris began working for Cooper Steel while attending college in 1999. He began full-time in 2004 in Plant Operations and has held roles as Estimator, Project Manager, Senior Sales Manager and Vice President of Preconstruction prior to his current role. Chris received his B.S. in Civil Engineering from Tennessee Technological University. Chris and his wife of 14 years, Brooke, reside in East Nashville, Tenn., and welcomed their first child, Edward, in 2015. In his spare time, Chris enjoys cooking, traveling abroad and live music. [email protected]  Bob Beckner, Peterson Beckner Industries, Inc., Frisco, Texas
Bob Beckner has been a member of SEAA since 1993; he served as SEAA President from 1999 – 2000, a Board Director for 24 years, and currently serves as member-at-large on the Executive Committee and the Convention Committee. In 2007, he was awarded the William Davis Service Award for his service to SEAA and the steel erection industry. Bob is Senior Vice-President & Area Manager of Peterson Beckner Industries, Inc., an AISC Advanced Certified steel erection contractor specializing in the erection of complex steel structures in the commercial, industrial and institutional sectors throughout the USA. He attended the University of Texas at Arlington and has two children, Alexa and Dillon. His interests include golf, hunting, football and traveling. [email protected]  Alan Sears, NUCOR – Vulcraft/Verco Group, Alpharetta, Ga. Alan Sears is currently serving his fifth term on the SEAA Board of Directors. The Nucor – Vulcraft Group, where Alan is the National Accounts Sales Representative, has partnered with the SEAA as an industry member for many years. Alan chairs the SEAA Annual Awards Committee and served as the 2009 Host Chairman of the National Convention. He was selected as the recipient of the SEAA Person of the Year Award in 2010 for his outstanding service and role as the Awards Chairman. In 2014, at the 42nd Annual Convention in Frisco, Texas, Alan was presented with the William Davis Service Award. Alan studied at Indiana University, Purdue University and Rivier College. His interests include participating in church music ministry and hiking. Alan and his wife Vickie have been married for 38 years and enjoy living in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. [email protected]  Greg Phillips, Titan Steel Erectors, LLC, Memphis, Tenn.
Greg is a third generation steel erector with roots in the Memphis/Mid-South Tennessee area dating back to the 1950s. Greg began his ironworking career in 1994 working in the field for his father’s company, eventually working his way up to chief estimator and safety director. In 2013, Greg started Titan Steel Erectors and has steadily grown from a single crew operation to a viable steel and precast erector in the Mid-South region. Greg and his wife of 26 years Regina have four children Bailey, Mackenna, Reagan, and Gibson. When he’s not working at expanding Titan Steel he can be found spending time with his family, working outdoors, floating on the river, watching his kids play sports, and traveling. [email protected]  Duke Perry, Gardner-Watson Studs, Oldsmar, FL.
Duke Perry has been in the stud welding industry since 2001. As a second generation welding expert, he has been fortunate to learn from his father, Doug Perry, one of the best in the business with 40+ years of experience. Duke is experienced in sales, as well as providing technical support and repair for all makes of stud welding equipment. In 2009, he was hired by Image Industries, Inc. to lead sales and marketing and to advise manufacturing in the production of the new construction line of weld studs known as Bluearc. Duke’s current position is VP of Sales/Operations of Gardner-Watson Studs. In addition, Duke has worked with the various DOT locations throughout the country with weld base qualifications, as well as the Canadian Welding Bureau. Duke and his wife, Diane, have two daughters.. One of Duke’s favorite hobbies is playing tennis but says, “The best part of my day is when I open the garage and both girls are jumping up and down with joy because DADDY is home.” [email protected]  Nicholas Morgan, President, Adaptive Construction Solutions, Houston, Texas
Morgan joined the SEAA Board of Directors in 2017. He is a U.S. Army Veteran and also owner and president of a property and casualty insurance agency, serving the construction industry. ACS has assembled a team of military professionals who are leveraging their experience to help transitioning military service members into civilian careers. ACS partners with employers to developed skilled ironworkers using the SEAA/NCCER Ironworker Craft Training program.  Tom McAleese, Mazzella Companies - Indusco Wire Rope & Supplies, Baltimore, Md.
Tom McAleese and Indusco Wire Rope & Supplies (a Mazzella Company) have been members of SEAA since 1996. In addition to serving on the board of directors, Tom is Trade Show Chairman. Tom has been an employee of Indusco Wire Rope & Supplies for more than 30 years. His extensive experience in the rigging industry, specifically crane ropes, block applications and safety/fall protection, has allowed him to forge unique customer relationships throughout the industry. As a Lifting Specialist in the Baltimore/Washington region he is an involved member of several trade associations, including Association of Equipment Management Professionals and the Building Congress. Tom and his wife, Cheryl, have shared 38 wonderful years of marriage. They have three adult children: Michael, Melissa, and Melanie. They reside in Hanover, Md. [email protected]  Ben Wadlington, Bracken Construction Co., Inc., Ridgeland, Miss.
Ben Wadlington joins the Board of Directors for the first time at the 2017 Convention in Myrtle Beach, S.C. He is president of Bracken Construction, which received the 2015 Class IV Project of the Year award for the company’s work on the University of Mississippi Basketball Arena in Oxford, Miss. Bracken Construction is AISC Advanced Certified and PCI Certified. Bracken Construction, a division of Bracken Companies, performs work throughout the southeast United States. The company has been a member of SEAA for at least 10 years. Ben joined Bracken Construction in 2000, and has held ever increasing responsibilities from Field Operations, Sales, Estimating, Project Management, Accounting, and Chief Operations, prior to being named President. He holds a B.S. from Mississippi State University and an MBA from the University of Memphis. He is a past Board of Director of Associated Builders and Contractors of Mississippi and American Subcontractors Association of Mississippi. Ben resides in Madison, Miss., with his wife Ashley and their three children Reagan, Audrey, and Parks. [email protected]  Steel Erectors Association of America, Winston-Salem, NC
Tom Underhill has been the Executive Director of the Steel Erectors Association of America since October 2011. SEAA was founded in 1972 and has approximately 230 member firms located in 40 states and Puerto Rico. Tom has been involved in the construction & steel fabrication/steel erection industry for over 40 years. He is a former member of the SEAA Board of Directors and served as President of the Association in 1997 – 1998. He is currently SEAA’s representative to the Steel Joist Institute and represents the Association on various AISC and industry activities. Tom is a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute with a BS in Civil Engineering. He spent 12 years with Brenner Steel in Winston-Salem, NC before founding Tri Steel, Inc., based in Winston-Salem, NC, in 2000. Tom and his wife Travis reside in Fancy Gap, VA. His interest includes golf and training for and competing in triathlons. Email: [email protected]  Bryan McClure, Trivent Safety Consulting, Westminster, Colo. Bryan McClure has been a member of SEAA since 1992. He joined the SEAA Board of Directors in 2017. Bryan has worked in the steel erection industry for more than 29 years. He is a second generation Ironworker and owes his livelihood to his father teaching him a strong work ethic and introducing him to the trades at a young age. During his construction career, Bryan has worn many hats including Ironworker, Foreman, Crane Operator, Superintendent, Craft Instructor, and Training Manager. The majority of his experience was working for a large international steel erection company, where he managed four DOL accredited apprentice programs (Ironworker, Crane Operator, Pipefitter, and Welder) with more than 100 apprentices. Bryan is a Certified Professional in Talent Development and has won several craft instructor and training awards from the Associated General Contractors, Associated Builders and Contractors, and Crane & Rigging Hot Line magazine. As a former high school and semi-professional football player, Bryan often draws comparisons between sports and being part of a construction team. In his free time, he coaches football at Mountain Range High School in Thornton, Colo. When he is not teaching or coaching he enjoys drinking coffee with his wife Joanna, watching his son Caleb play high school football, or seeing his daughter, Sydney, dominate on the soccer field. [email protected]  Glen Pisani, MAS Buidling & Bridge, Inc., Norfolk, Mass.
Glen Pisani is serving his first term on the SEAA Board of Directors and is the Steel Erection Division Manager at MAS Building & Bridge, Inc. Glen joined MAS Building & Bridge, Inc. in 2011, with over 20 years of experience and knowledge of the steel industry, and has helped to make them one of the leading steel erection companies in the Northeast. MAS Building & Bridge, Inc. conducts work throughout the Northeast and specializes in complex structural steel work for health care facilities, museums, naval facilities, schools, power plants, office structures and more. Glen along his wife, Susan, and two daughters, Ava and Ella, reside in Wrentham, Mass. He is active in his local community serving as past Chairman of the Wrentham Planning Board and President of Wrentham Youth Soccer. [email protected]  John (Jack) Metcalfe, National Institute of Steel Detailing, Oakland, Calif.
John (Jack) Metcalfe serves on the SEAA Detailing, Safety and Long Range Planning Committees and is a co-author of the SEAA/NISD Erection Safety Manual. Over the years, he has served on SEAA’s Board of Directors for more than five terms. Jack is a past president of NISD and currently serves on their Board of Directors. He has been the NISD Liaison to SEAA for more than 18 years. Active in the detailing community since 1959, his work has focused on bridge and bridge rehabilitation. He recently resigned his position of president of John Metcalfe Co., Pittsburgh, Pa., and now operates a small consulting firm, Metcalfe Consulting Inc. Jack's interest include water sports, his grandchildren, doing construction, and children's mission work in Sudan and Haiti, as well as disaster relief in the US. [email protected] |
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