Chris Legnon Installed as President of Steel Erectors Association of America

SEAA announces new board leadership and membership director

The Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) has installed Chris Legnon, Vice President of Technology at Cooper Steel Fabricators, Inc., as its 2026-2027 President and announced its newly elected officers and board of directors. The association also named Hunter Telleri as Director of Membership and Business Development.

The leadership transition comes as SEAA has experienced rapid membership growth and geographic expansion over the last few years, while onboarding new member services to meet the needs of steel erection business owners. Legnon has spent more than 20 years with Cooper Steel Fabricators. A member of SEAA's board since 2015, he has chaired the Marketing Committee, served on the Executive Committee and was named SEAA Person of the Year in 2024. Legnon said his priorities include continuing SEAA's growth while expanding workforce development, safety education and practical technology resources for steel erection contractors.

“Our industry is evolving quickly, and SEAA needs to evolve with it,” said Legnon.  "Artificial intelligence has tremendous potential to improve estimating, scheduling, document management and safety analysis, but technology only creates value when it’s implemented thoughtfully. Our industry has always managed risk carefully, and that same discipline should guide AI adoption—just one of the challenges facing our members today,” he said.

Officers and directors elected by the membership began their terms July 1. Newly elected directors are Troy “Twig” Terwilliger of Pioneer Construction and Katy Williams of Williams Erection Company.

Directors returning to the Board are Drew Heron of Deem Structural Services, LLC, Bryan McClure of Trivent Safety Consulting, Jack Metcalfe, representing the National Institute of Steel Detailing, and Lee Shaw of Kern Erectors, Inc.  They will each serve three-year terms.

The 2026-2027 officers are:

• Chris Legnon, President (Cooper Steel Fabricators, Inc.)
• Carrie Gulajan, President-Elect (Construction Insurance Agency, Inc.)
• Glen Pisani, Vice President, Industry (MAS Building & Bridge, Inc.)
• Bryan McClure, Vice President, Associate Member (Trivent Safety Consulting)
• Jason McElrath, Treasurer (MP Specialty Insurance)
• Marc Cox, Secretary (Gardner-Watson Decking, Inc.)
  

Hunter Telleri joins staff to support membership growth

SEAA also announced the appointment of Hunter Telleri as Director of Membership and Business Development. Telleri brings business development experience from ADP and other B2B organizations, where she focused on client development and strategic growth. She will lead membership recruitment and engagement efforts for the association.

"Hunter's experience building relationships and helping businesses grow will strengthen SEAA's ability to recruit, engage and support members throughout the steel construction industry," said Pete Gum, Executive Director.

“Beyond growing membership, I want to be a hands-on resource for our members to help them navigate any challenges and take full advantage of what SEAA has to offer them,” said Telleri.