The Steel Bridge Task Force, which is comprised of the American Iron and Steel Institute, the National Steel Bridge Alliance, and the American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials Steel and Metals Technical Committee, has named David Stoddard, senior steel applications engineer at SSAB Americas, as the recipient of the 2024 Alexander D. Wilson Memorial Award. The annual award recognizes individuals who have made significant industry contributions to advance steel as the material of choice for steel bridge supply, production, design, fabrication or construction. It was instituted in 2022 to honor Alexander D. Wilson, a major contributor to the research and development of new technologies for the bridge industry who served as chairman of the Steel Bridge Task Force for more than two decades.

The award was presented to Stoddard at a Steel Bridge Task Force meeting on Sept. 25 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dan Snyder, vice president of construction at AISI, presented the award, which reads: “In recognition of his exceptional leadership and contributions to elevating steel as the material of choice for bridges, including his dedicated service as chairman of the Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance, advancing press-brake-formed steel tub girders, implementing innovative and sustainable materials, and supporting steel bridge research by providing test specimens and metallurgical updates.”

“Under David’s leadership as chairman of the Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance for nearly a decade, we’ve witnessed remarkable advancements in steel bridge technology, including the increased adoption of press-brake-formed steel tub girders, which has made steel an even more competitive option for bridge applications,” Snyder said. “David’s expertise and dedication have had a lasting impact on the steel bridge industry, making him a highly deserving recipient of this award.”