 SteelPros, SEAA’s online learning management system, houses more than 80 training videos for ironworkers. More than 20% of our erector members have created their free account and logged in to access the content. The four most viewed courses are:
Every member receives one free account, but for a minimal fee, contractors can add learners or upgrade to paid content. Since January of this year, half of SteelPros users have added new learners and 72% of the registered learners have completed content modules. Want to better understand how to take advantage of this member benefit? Contact Keri Goldstein, Director of Membership & Business Development at [email protected].  SEAA has opened the submission forms for 2025 Project of the Year, Safety Excellence, and Craft Training Excellence awards.
The Project of the Year Award is for SEAA members that topped out a steel erection or miscellaneous metals project from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2024. Applications can be submitted using a simple online form and supporting documents. Structural steel projects will compete in one of four classes, determined by the dollar value of the erection contract. Miscellaneous metals projects will compete in one of two classes, based on contract value amount. Submissions are evaluated by an independent panel of judges based solely on information presented with each submission. The Safety Excellence Award acknowledges SEAA members in good standing that go above and beyond in the effort to provide ironworkers a safe place to work, while the Craft Training Excellence Award is for companies that are playing a critical role in the development of skilled ironworkers. Winners are selected in blind presentation by SEAA’s Safety & Education Committee. Winners are recognized during the Awards Ceremony at SEAA’s 2025 National Convention & Trade Show and will be invited to participate in panel discussions. There is no cost for SEAA members to submit an application. The application deadline for Project of the Year is December 31, 2024, and the deadline for Safety Excellence and Craft Training Excellence awards is January 31, 2025. 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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Today, the business is run by Jim Mazzella, Sr.’s son, and Mazzella Companies’ CEO, Tony Mazzella. Tony’s two sons, Matt Mazzella and Adam Mazzella, are now the third generation involved and act as Presidents of Mazzella’s Lifting and Metals businesses, respectively.
“Celebrating 70 years of our family business, we honor the legacy of my grandparents, whose vision and hard work laid our foundation. My parents nurtured this dream with dedication, resilience, and love—steering us through challenges and triumphs. My brother Matt, with his innovation and spirit, represents our bright future. Together, we embody the past, present, and future, united by values and aspirations that guide us. Here’s to our family's journey and the promise of many more successful years ahead,” said Adam Mazzella, President of Sheffield Metals and New Tech Machinery. Building a Stronger Future: Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Strategies for Steel Contractors8/19/2024
 According to the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP), workers in the steel construction sector are at a higher risk for mental health concerns and suicide compared to other construction trades. 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.
The high-stress environments, physically demanding tasks, and stringent deadlines, coupled with the sometimes-isolated nature of the work, can contribute to mental health struggles among the steel industry. Additionally, the culture within the industry can sometimes stigmatize mental health issues, making it challenging for workers to seek help. Construction Suicide Prevention Week is September 9-13. The initiative aims to raise awareness, educate, and promote mental health and suicide prevention across the construction industry. Participating in events and activities during this week can help reinforce the importance of mental health and provide workers with valuable resources and support.  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.
 By: John Miebers Maintaining profits and keeping jobs on track is not easy in the construction industry. There are bills to pay, materials to order, teams to manage and everything else in between. That’s why you need accurate, real-time Work in Progress (WIP) reports to keep projects running smoothly—and to grow your bottom-line profit. Work in Progress (WIP) is an essential part of construction accounting. It calculates the progress of all ongoing work, allowing you to see what’s been done and what’s left to do—helping you manage budgets effectively. This information can then be used to generate reports and track project development using “percentage complete” figures. Be sure to click the red subscribe button above to receive your digital copy.
 By: Kevin Cunningham Digital transformation is changing customer experiences, business models, and operations across most industries. In steel construction, contractors can analyze digital data from past accidents to help build a culture that continuously improves safety. That kind of safety culture prevents accidents, saves lives, and reduces the likelihood of lawsuits. Establishing an effective process for continuous safety improvement requires contractors to transform compliance-based mindsets to a holistic view of safety culture. Companies can use advanced tools like risk analytics to look at the causes of past incidents in order to reduce or eliminate them in future. In a true safety culture, legal compliance is a natural outcome instead of the primary driver. Be sure to click the red subscribe button above to receive your digital copy.
By: Tracy Bennett The correlation between physical and mental health is a topic worth discussing as the construction industry faces high suicide and substance use disorder rates. A recent article published by Conexpo-Con/Agg quoted Carol Nixon, PhD, research health scientist, NIOSH Spokane Mining Research Division. She said: “Manual labor increases risk of work-related injuries and strain; and pain is the most common reason for receiving an opioid prescription. Opioids are extremely addictive. It can take just five days to become addicted.” “The high rates of substance use disorder and overdose in industries like construction and mining are not an indictment of the workers who take these jobs,” Nixon says. “Rather, this is an urgent call to identify workplace factors that may contribute to these devastating outcomes and how those may be modified to prevent illness, injury and death and promote employee health and well-being.” Be sure to click the red subscribe button above to receive your digital copy.
 Lifting over Manhattan Metropolitan Walters, a steel erector in the Tri-State area, faced a unique challenge when working on a project for the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan. The jobsite was located above FDR Drive and was surrounded on all sides by water, roadways, and buildings. Steel and other supplies had to be barged in and lifted by tower crane. Full Brim Face Shield from Studson STUDSON has announced three face shields, the Arc Flash Tint Welding Shield, the Clear Shield, and the Shade 5 Green Tint Shield. No Welding Required for Simpson Strong-Tie’s Yield-Link® Brace Connection Simpson Strong-Tie’s Yield-Link® Brace Connection (YLBC) for structural steel applications is used to dissipate energy through a fuse connection, creating a resilient steel frame that protects beams, columns, and braces during seismic and wind events. JLG Upgrades 40 ft Class Scissor Lift The new ES4046 electric scissor lift from JLG Industries boasts 40 percent more duty cycles than its predecessor R4045. 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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Projects in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Texas July 10, 2024 (Winston-Salem, N.C.) The Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) announces the winners of its 2024 Projects of the Year. Two companies were recognized for Miscellaneous Metals and three for Structural Steel projects.
Projects that were topped out in 2022 or 2023 were eligible and must have been completed without significant accident or injury. Submissions are reviewed and winners are selected by an independent panel of judges from an engineering firm not affiliated with the association. “Only one of the five winning companies is a prior recipient of this award, and two of them are relatively new members of SEAA,” said Drew Heron, Chairman of the Awards Committee. “Regardless of the size or scope, each of these projects demonstrated the grit and talent it takes to be an ironworker,” he said. Winners receive trophies, feature article coverage in Connector magazine, and the chance to participate in peer panel discussions. Summaries provided below. June 27, 2024 (Winston-Salem, N.C), During the President's Dinner at the Steel Erectors Association of America’s 2024 Convention & Trade Show in Glendale, Arizona, two long-standing Board Members were recognized for their years of dedicated service. David Deem, Founder and President of Deem Structural Services, LLC, received the William Davis Service Award, and Chris Legnon, Vice President of Technology at Cooper Steel, was named SEAA’s Person of the Year.  David Deem - 2024 William Davis Service Award (Left to right) Drew Heron, Chairman of SEAA’s Awards Committee, David Deem, President of Deem Structural Services, R. Pete Gum, SEAA's Executive Director
 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kenilworth, NJ -- Magni America LLC, a subsidiary of Magni Telescopic Handlers SRL, the global leader in rotating and heavy lift telehandlers, is excited to announce the grand opening of its new American headquarters. This event, held on June 18th, showcased a state-of-the-art facility designed to elevate customer support for the Magni brand. The grand opening was well attended and featured a keynote address by Riccardo Magni, President and Founder of Magni Telescopic Handlers, who shared insights on the company’s vision and its commitment to exceptional customer service. Guests enjoyed live music, and Italian cuisine and were given a tour of the new headquarters, highlighting its modern features and customer-focused design.  Photo courtesy of Nucor Rebar Fabrication, Inc. via Advanced Construction Robotics website Advanced Construction Robotics (ACR), a leading innovator in construction robotics, announced it has entered into an agreement with Nucor Rebar Fabrication, Inc. (Nucor), North America’s premier fabricator and installer of rebar. This partnership marks a significant step forward in the construction industry, showcasing Nucor Rebar Fabrication’s dedication to safety by integrating modern technologies into its operations.
 Image credit: Occupational Safety and Health Administration The clang of steel meeting steel, the hum of heavy machinery, the pop of a powder actuated tool, the scream from a saw, and the roar of construction activity. These are the sounds of the steel erection industry. However, there is a hidden danger: the threat of occupational noise exposure. Recognizing this risk, OSHA has established rigorous standards to ensure the hearing safety of workers. Additionally, modern technology that detects sound decibels, such as sound apps for a smartphone, has become a valuable tool in monitoring and managing noise exposure.
From GWY: Our industry relies on the innovation and passion of up-and-coming engineers and tradespeople. That’s why we’re proud to be a silver-level sponsor for this year’s Student Steel Bridge Competition, hosted by the American Institute of Steel Construction. For over 30 years, the Student Steel Bridge Competition has asked college students from across the U.S. to develop a solution to a real-life engineering challenge, then go head-to-head with their designs at the national finals. This year, the GWY team got to see the finalists present their scale-model steel bridge designs at Louisiana Tech University — and watched the University of Florida take home 1st Place! Competitions like these are invaluable for novice engineers to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world problems, and also to make industry connections with potential future employers and colleagues. Take a look at some highlights from the event:
 CHICAGO - The American Institute of Steel Construction’s new Sustainability Partner Program is a win for specifiers, fabricators, and--of course!--the environment.
"Few people recognize that structural steel fabricators are the key player for a project's sustainability," said AISC Director of Sustainability and Government Relations Max Puchtel. "Fabrication itself accounts for less than 8% of structural steel's cradle-to-gate carbon footprint, but a fabricator's procurement responsibility means that their upstream influence is far greater." 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 |
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